Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

Can't go wrong with the redding dies. I use them for 300 win mag, 308, and 223wssm. Bushing neck size is fine if you are reloading brass shot in 1 rifle. If you are shooting brass from more than 1 rifle or for more than 1, you will probably want to full length size.

Randy
 
Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

That set is good to go. Might want to check around on which bushings to use. I think on a .308 people use .335-.339 depending on the brass and how much neck tension you want to achieve.
 
Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

I have a Forster Benchrest set that I really like. For a small fee ( maybe $10?) Forster custom honed the neck diameter for me. Now, I don't have to use an expander ball. The seater is top notch. I like Redding too, but the custom neck honing pushes me to Forster nowadays...

John
 
Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hondo64d</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a Forster Benchrest set that I really like. For a small fee ( maybe $10?) Forster custom honed the neck diameter for me. Now, I don't have to use an expander ball. The seater is top notch. I like Redding too, but the custom neck honing pushes me to Forster nowadays...

John</div></div>

I will look into the Forster Monday....
 
Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: h2osport</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can't go wrong with the redding dies. I use them for 300 win mag, 308, and 223wssm. Bushing neck size is fine if you are reloading brass shot in 1 rifle. If you are shooting brass from more than 1 rifle or for more than 1, you will probably want to full length size.

Randy</div></div>

Why would this matter...Rookie question I am sure...but I am going to reload fro an AR10 and bolt gun as well...
 
Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

Different barrels have different chambers. A necked sized round from one gun might not fit into another. You can also get a full length neck bushing die set to control the neck tension and full length at the same time.... or you can keep the brass separate for each gun.
 
Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

I purchace a reamer for any caliber I want to use and then have my smith make me a die with the same reamer as was used to cut my chamber. Whe I burn the barrel up I give him my reamer and he cuts me a new chamber,the die already made with the reamer is still good to go. BTW I use a bushing die.
 
Re: Best Die Set to buy for 308 reloading???

I reload ~ 60 different cartridges.
I own ~ 100 die sets.
My bullets, brass, powder, primers, and dies fill 98 file folder boxes.

I make up my own loads and build my own rifles.

My current level of understanding for factory chambered rifles is:

The cheapest path to the most accuracy is a Forster seater die and a Lee Collet neck die.

The Redding set you are looking at will not cost much more nor get measurably worse groups [as long as you are not pulling the expander ball through a tight neck, which you will not be if you use big enough bushings], so feel free to buy the Redding set.