Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

[Tactical30]

From the time I started reloading (3yrs ago) I have only reloaded for .223Rem (AR platfrom), 6.5 Grendel (AR platform), 45 ACP (pistol), 50AE (pistol), 30-30 Win. (lever action-hunting).

I am getting prepared (gathering reloading components) for when I recieve my .300WM from Warner Tool.

I want to go the right way when buying Dies for this.

I was looking at the <span style="font-weight: bold">Redding Type S Match Bushing 2-Die Set</span>.

All my Dies are Redding but none are bushing dies, besides the 50AE- its RCBS die set.


<span style="text-decoration: underline">I have never used a Bushing die before but I want to be as consistant as possible when loading for this new build (.300WM).</span>

I am wondering if the die set I listed above is a good choice. Also I forget how to figure out what bushings you need for your cal.
Measure the case neck and then what?

What size bushings should I buy with the die set?

what do you guys use?

Thanks for all the help.

Oh yeah, I see Midway USA is finally selling MTM 20rd cases just for the .300WM - Tip Up!

 

[Engine 22]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

.332 is what I use. I would get bushings +/- .001 from what the neck measures with a bullet seated. This allows you to be able to tune your loads.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Engine22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.332 is what I use. I would get bushings +/- .001 from what the neck measures with a bullet seated. This allows you to be able to tune your loads. </div></div>

Im wondering how many different bushing sizes I should buy to play with neck tension. 2-3?

 

[Rob01]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

The bushing size will depend on the neck thickness of the brass and how much neck tension you want. What type of brass will you be using? You can get a general bushing size from that but it might not be right on.

I use .002" of neck tension on my standard rounds and .003" on my 300WM to make sure the bullets don't move under recoil.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The bushing size will depend on the neck thickness of the brass and how much neck tension you want. What type of brass will you be using? You can get a general bushing size from that but it might not be right on.

I use .002" of neck tension on my standard rounds and .003" on my 300WM to make sure the bullets don't move under recoil. </div></div>


Mostly will be using Winchester brass unless I could find some Lapua (yeah right!)

 

[jrob300]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

I realize that this is not the answer to the question you've asked, but have you consider the Lee collet die? I've been using one with excellent results. It's easy on the brass, requires no lube, one size fits all because it squeezes the outside of the neck onto a mandrel and it's INEXPENSIVE.

Runout using this die has been .001 to immeasurable.

.02

John

 

[lightman]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

The way to determine bushing size is to carefully meausure the outside diameter of the case neck on a loaded round.Meausure several,then get a bushing smaller than your smallest meausurement.Everyone has their favorite numbers,but Redding recommends .002 smaller on unturned necks.Robs .002-.003 would be a good starting place.Most shooters buy about 3 bushings to start with.Personaly,I'm not sure that I would mess with a bushing die,if I was not turning case necks.Thats just my opinion. Pete

 

[johndoe]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

Your good to go with the 2 die set some also like getting the bushing
neck die also, it's just a preference. Also get atleast 3 bushings because
as the cases work harden the same bushing might not hold the bullets
where as they would on new brass.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

So I SHOULD NOT get Bushings dies if im NOT going to turn my necks or doesnt it matter?

I would think it wouldnt matter.

Im most likely going to be turning the necks in the future so I could get the bushing dies now and still use them even if im not turning necks at the moment. Correct?

 

[ramrod197]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

I have a 300wm and i just use rcbs 2die full length dies. i only shoot 600 yds but i have shot 2in groups. i have a freind that shoots 1000yds with same dies and he wins in his class. Hope this helps

 

[ramrod197]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

If you back your dies off alittle you just neck size and you dont work your brass as hard. but thats another story. pm me if you want

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

I use bushing dies all the time on unturned necks. Works just great.

a) bushing dies give you better concentricity than expander balls
b) turned necks give you even better concentricity
c) my brass is giving me 90% less than 0.003 in nonconcentricity (i.e. essentially perfect for non benchrest applications)
d) you can get a tad better still with neck turning

Overall, its all about how deep into the deep-end you want to jump. And note: you can start out with one bushing. Later on you can turn some necks and get another bushing for those cases. Compare and decide which way to go <whispering> all by yourself.

 

[Jack-O]

Re: Looking for help on .300WM Die set. - Bushings

Dont know if you've made a descision yet or not. I'm going thru this question myself tho. It's REALLY easy to get overwhelmed with the massive variety of tools and techniques benchrest guys use and spend a gob of cash to do it. Using my critical thinking skills to ignore most of the unnecessary stuff I settled on a few thing that seem to be ACTUALLY important.

It seems to me that the object of good dies is to reduce runout and give correct neck tension. THAT in a nutshell is what they do better than regular dies.

FURTHER STILL, runout seems to be one of the few things "advanced" things we can reasonably, affordably and quickly control with our reloads that effects accuracy along with charge weight, powder choice, seating depth, crimp and bullet choice.

That being a given I looked at the reviews and videos about a whole host of sizing and seating dies and what I came to the conclusion of was the following:

-Lee Collet die does a top notch job at straightening cases and still maintains a VERY tight tolerances comparable to dies 5x the price.
-neck sizing ONLY is a temporary solution at best. for the 300WM you WILL need to FL size sooner or later. I think that perhaps FL sizing so your case JUST drops out of the chamber easily is a good start.
-Reddings Competition seater (non bushing) die seems to actually FIX some runout, where other dies actually INCREASE is a bit.
-the belted magnum cases expand above the belt where regular dies cant size to, and can only be reloaded about 3 times before they need to be fixed or chucked. there is a Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die made by innovative technologies that can fix this that you WILL need.
- Hornady's runout tool would seem to measure AND fix most runout problems REGARDLESS of dies used.
-neck turning and bushing dies seem to be overkill unless you are a benchrest shooter.

So with those things I discovered in mind, I came up with the following process to try after your cleaning and depriming etc.:
1- Mild FL size. but not too much
2- IT belted mag collet die
3- tumble the lube off after this stage with very fine walnut media
4- trim/ream/clean primer pocket
5- lee collet die to straighten the neck (no lube needed here)
6- redding competition seater die
7- mild crimp with factory crimp die

This process should give me better runout with lower expense and high reliability loads, excellent accuracy, loads not sensitive to rough handling, consistent shot start pressures

IN addition to the stickies here on SH, here are some of the resources I used to come up with this plan of action.

http://larrywillis.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZEas38vkKg&feature=related
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2007/12/tips-for-using-lee-collet-dies/
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/09/reloading-seating-die-runout.html