Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

cloudy

Lefty Shooter
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 28, 2010
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Belfair Wa.
So I am currently reloading .308 for my bolt gun, and I have a gap 10 on order. My question is, should I have a sizing die for each gun, or will I have to adjust the one for the bolt gun and gap 10? I have never reloaded the same caliber for multiple guns so any advice is appreciated.
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

I load for 3 guns with one set of dies. M1A, R700sps and a Parker-Hale barreled m98.

The brass can be a tad snug in the Parker-Hale chamber but it never requires forcefulness to manipulate the bolt.

Best bet is to try it. Worst case scenario you get a Redding competition seating die or similar..
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

I figure dies are cheap enough to dedicate a separate set for each firearm. Since I use the Dillon RL550B, I can set up a separate toolhead for each rifle, and not have to concern myself about readjusting dies.
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

I'm cheap and use the same die for most guns of the same cartridge. AR's typically all get fed the same brass, but bolt guns get different brass so I don't get them mixed up. Whatever route you go on the dies, using different brass for the bolt gun / gas gun will make keeping up with what's what a little easier.

Hope that GAP10 is a shooter! They are really nice looking rifles.
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

You can always use one FL die with two different settings. However if you want to use one setting for two rifles, before you can do that you should measure the headspace of the chambers. If they are close, then you can set the die to be slight tight in one (hopefully the bolt action) and slightly loose in the other. A best compromise..
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

I've never found it difficult or very time consuming to adjust any die for any rifle so uaing a common sizer for both would be my answer.
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

I prefer a separate die for each gun. I'd highly recommend Redding Type-S bushing dies, especially since you're running a gas gun and a bolt gun. That way you can get appropriate neck tension for each. However, one solution is a set of shell holders that can adjust headspace. Then you'll only need one die and can adjust how much "bump" you give the shoulders with the shell holders.
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

When I advocate using a separate die set for each rifle, I'm not making the recommendation to save time and energy. It's a matter of consistency.

Some may and do achieve very good repeatability when they readjust their dies. Some, less so. When they don't, they have altered their load.

I see folks fretting on these forums about miniscule variances that have no significant practical consequences. Add die setup variances, and those consequences can become significant.

Greg
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

If you are full sizing you can use the same die. I do. But if you run a gas gun and a bolt gun I would recommend a neck sizing die to add to your work bench for the bolt gun.
 
Re: Resizing die for 2 diff. rifles?

Whether you need two different settings depends on the length to a datum line on brass fired from Both rifles. If the length to the datum line is the same, all cases can be sized on one die. But if the two chambers have lengths that would require sizing at different lengths, you would need to reset one die, or have two dies with different settings.

I had to send a couple of rifles in to get overall length matched up so I could avoid this problem. Both rifles came back with .00125 length difference, so I was pretty happy.