Redding body die 308?

[BigRso]

This is my first post here just got into long range shooting and recently finished my first build on a savage short action.

So now I am hoping to start getting some dope on the books for this rifle and make some accurate loads.

My question is I just purchased a redding neck sizing die , due to me while researching reading it will shrink my groups.

Hope it's true , anyway I wanted to know should I pick up there body die as well or just fl size after 3-4 x fired?

Thanks in advance
Mike

 

[khw9mm]

I full length resize after every firing.

 

[sniperdude]

a lot of guys work their brass a bit different depending on what their shooting, bolt or semi auto, etc. , I size the body then neck size with about .002 grip on the bullet. keep the brass trimmed @ 2.005 and that's been working good for me

 

[BigRso]

After the rd becomes difficult to chamber do you just full length size or use a body die?

 

[BigRso]

I full length resize after every firing.

I can see you doing so with a semi so the action cycles correctly.

So I read that fired formed brass neck sized to hold the head in place will give you better groups in a bolt action.

So that's how I ended up on this mission.

I use to fl size all my brass as well but in pursuit of smaller groups I order a neck sizing die.

Only problem or my question is do guys fl size once the rd wont chamber anymore or us a body die?

 

[sniperdude]

i have just used my body die , i use it after every firing, some only use it when the round is harder to chamber. i haven't needed a full length die. im mostly using lapua brass, some federal brass and this seems to work for me. it also might depend on your chamber as to how much the brass is gonna expand in there

 

[BigRso]

i have just used my body die , i use it after every firing, some only use it when the round is harder to chamber. i haven't needed a full length die. im mostly using lapua brass, some federal brass and this seems to work for me. it also might depend on your chamber as to how much the brass is gonna expand in there

Gotcha thanks for the response I am guessing you use the redding body die?

Also if I remove the decapping stem on my fl die can that be used as a body die, hope this isn't a silly question trying to save some cash.

 

[sniperdude]

i think the f/l die will still size the necks with the stem removed, i def hear ya on the cash

i use the redding body die , bushing neck die ad comp seater with mic top. and thats working good so far

 

[FLIGHT762]

After the rd becomes difficult to chamber do you just full length size or use a body die?

You can do either one. You didn't say that you currently own a regular F/L 308 Win. sizing die. You said you just purchased an neck sizing die. At some point, you will need to F/L resize to bump the case shoulders back. I do F/L sizing after 3-4 neck only reloadings in my bolt guns and F/l resize every time for my auto loaders. If you don't own a F/l sizing die, then yes, the Redding body die is a good choice. It only sized the shoulder and body without touching the neck. After sizing in the F/L body die, you will then need to run the cases through your neck only die. Then they will be ready to load.

If you already own a regular F/L sizing die, then you don't need a body die. I do like having a body die because a couple of times, I've had to bump the shoulders a bit on a neck only sized case that wouldn't chamber. It fixed the problem without having to tear the ammo down.

A body die can be used in any combination you wish to. Some like to use a Lee Neck only collet die to size the neck and then use a body die to F/L size the case. Some like to F/L size every time they reload the case. It's just up to you on how you want to do it.

 

[BigRso]

Ok so I know where I am at now thanks again for the help. I do have a fl die and a comp seating die which I should of mentioned either way thanks again.

 

[thrusty]

I FL all the time now. I used to neck size and full length every 3rd load. I found that if you bump the shoulder back just the right amount when full length sizing (0.002"), you aren't working the brass much more than neck sizing anyway.

I also ran a little experiment with neck sized vs full length sized ammo for my rifle. Neck size gave me higher velocities (about 15-20 fps avg) but full length sized brass gave me better groups and accuracy. Loads were all the same powder lot, bullet lot, primer lot, brass lot...only difference was the Redding die that I used.

 

[BigRso]

I FL all the time now. I used to neck size and full length every 3rd load. I found that if you bump the shoulder back just the right amount when full length sizing (0.002"), you aren't working the brass much more than neck sizing anyway.

I also ran a little experiment with neck sized vs full length sized ammo for my rifle. Neck size gave me higher velocities (about 15-20 fps avg) but full length sized brass gave me better groups and accuracy. Loads were all the same powder lot, bullet lot, primer lot, brass lot...only difference was the Redding die that I used.

I am going to run this same test and, see what results I get. Thanks

Mike