300WSM Dies

[rusty815]

Hey everyone, I'm in the planning stages of getting into reloading, I don't have much experience, I already decided on getting the Lee anniversary kit to start out, I've done a lot of reading and feel confident I know what I'm doing, only thing I need help on is choosing the dies. I'm going to reload for 300WSM and will use the cartridges I make for both hunting and target shooting (Nosler 180gr. e-tip rounds for hunting and Hornady 208gr. A-MAX rounds for target shooting) and I just cannot decide on which dies to use. At first I was going to get the Lee Collet dies, then I read that they may not be good for hunting, then I decided to get the Lee pacesetter dies, only to find out that they are a little hard on brass life. After looking at other dies, I could not decide on anything.

So basically, what dies do you guys recommend I use to reload for 300WSM, again its for both target shooting and hunting.

 

[wrhunter]

Re: 300WSM Dies

Any full length die set from RCBS, Redding, Forster, Hornady etc...

Just be sure to set the sizing die up properly and test chamber your brass before loading up a bunch of rounds.

After gaining some experience you can experiment with neck sizing dies but you will always need to have a full length sizer around.

Good luck.

 

[seven mm]

Re: 300WSM Dies

Forster Ultra Micrometer, superb dies.

 

[GardDog]

Re: 300WSM Dies

I loaded .308 and .223 for years before I started loading for 300 wsm. Unlike the .308 or .223, I ended up needing to bump the shoulder back on my fired 300 wsm brass. I bought this, which solved my problems: Link

FWIW, 300 wsm is my favorite caliber. I have found success with the 208 Amax and the Hornady 225 gr Match projectiles. Check the Reloading Depot for a wealth of information, if you haven't already.

 

[2tuf4u]

Re: 300WSM Dies

GardDog--why do you think the steeper shoulder 300WSM needs bumped vs. the 308? Higher pressure? Softer brass? Oversized chamber? Just curious.

 

[rusty815]

Re: 300WSM Dies

I've heard nothing but good things about a 300 WSM with hornady 208gr. AMAX, which is why I decided on using them. Thanks for the replies guys, I guess a FL die is the way to go, Its going to take me a while to decide on one though, I think more suggestions are needed.

Thanks for the heads up on checking the reloading depot GardDog, I was reading through a thread about 300WSM loads, it was actually that thread along with the high price of factory ammunition that made me dive into reloading.

 

[GardDog]

Re: 300WSM Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 2tuf4u</div><div class="ubbcode-body">GardDog--why do you think the steeper shoulder 300WSM needs bumped vs. the 308? Higher pressure? Softer brass? Oversized chamber? Just curious. </div></div>

Not sure. Hotter load with the magnum? It can be worked around by adjusting the die or with the shell holders. I shoot two different 300 wsm rifles (one Rem & one Win) that have different tastes, so I went with the holders.

 

[GardDog]

Re: 300WSM Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard nothing but good things about a 300 WSM with hornady 208gr. AMAX, which is why I decided on using them. Thanks for the replies guys, I guess a FL die is the way to go, Its going to take me a while to decide on one though, I think more suggestions are needed.

Thanks for the heads up on checking the reloading depot GardDog, I was reading through a thread about 300WSM loads, it was actually that thread along with the high price of factory ammunition that made me dive into reloading. </div></div>

No doubt. I guess buying in bulk (1000 primers per box, 100 projectiles per box) kind of masks the cost, but I can't pay $45 for a box of 20 loaded rounds. Plus.... Loading your own allows you to fine tune to your rifle. Best of luck and give the 208 Amaxs a good run. They fly great out of my Rem 700.

 

[LR-WSM]

Re: 300WSM Dies

2tuf, all cases with shoulders will need to be bumped back from time to time or you will run into a negative head space issue,(hard to close the bolt on a chambered round) Your head space in regards to shoulder bump can be done and locked in when doing the initial set up of your full length sizing die but to do this properly you will need a case that has been fired in your rifle and has a tight fit shoulder to base (negative head space)

It ends up being, trial in in die, then chambering the cartridge until you can close the bolt without resistance. The only time you would need the Redding shell holders is if your sizing die was made with a little extra internal length. ie, at the bottom of your press stroke, the shell holder makes contact with the bottom of the die before the shoulder of your cartridge can be bumped back far enough to clear head space, (normally .003 to .004 back from contact)

 

[rusty815]

Re: 300WSM Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard nothing but good things about a 300 WSM with hornady 208gr. AMAX, which is why I decided on using them. Thanks for the replies guys, I guess a FL die is the way to go, Its going to take me a while to decide on one though, I think more suggestions are needed.

Thanks for the heads up on checking the reloading depot GardDog, I was reading through a thread about 300WSM loads, it was actually that thread along with the high price of factory ammunition that made me dive into reloading. </div></div>

No doubt. I guess buying in bulk (1000 primers per box, 100 projectiles per box) kind of masks the cost, but I can't pay $45 for a box of 20 loaded rounds. Plus.... Loading your own allows you to fine tune to your rifle. Best of luck and give the 208 Amaxs a good run. They fly great out of my Rem 700. </div></div>

The price of the primers and rounds alone cost less than factory ammo around where I live (not including haz-mat fees). I'm curious, can you give me your load info with the 208gr. A-MAX?

 

[LR-WSM]

Re: 300WSM Dies

BTW, I used the RCBS full length 2 die set. They made great ammo with very low run-out

 

[wburke2010]

Re: 300WSM Dies

Ive used a few different sets of the lee dies for 204 ruger, 30-30, and 30-06. all used for hunting and never had a problem. I also bought the lee anniversary kit and from experience i would advise you against it. The powder measure that comes with it is useless, and the only thing that I still use out of the kit is the press itself. Which I am now upgrading to a CO-AX when I get a chance to buy one but that's just my opinion take it for what it's worth.

Walter

 

[Iamironman]

Re: 300WSM Dies

I'm seriously considering the 300 WSM as my next rifle.

For reloading dies I would recommend from personal experience in other calibers RCBS, Redding, Hornady before LEE.

 

[rusty815]

Re: 300WSM Dies

My uncle has the kit I'm going to get and has no problem reloading with it, the scale only really needs to measure the powder that comes out of the dispenser to make sure its dispensing the correct amount, he only uses it once during his reloading process and always has consistent cartridges. I moved away so I need to get my own kit and learn how to do it myself, since he has reloaded for me.

I have it narrowed down to RCBS and Hornady for dies, its basically a throw up, any reason to chose one over the other?

 

[GardDog]

Re: 300WSM Dies

I went with the Competition set of dies from Redding. They have the mic at the top to allow adjustments at the .001". Yep, I'm that neurotic about my cartridge lengths. Lol

Edit: I have the same type of die from RCBS, that I use for my .308 win loads. It has the slot in the side of the die to drop in the projectile. Works as well as the Redding, IMHO.

 

[justme]

Re: 300WSM Dies

I'm sure you will like the 300wsm, I do.
I use the Redding comp dies when on the bench.