Need help with dies for 308win

MrOneEyedBoh

MrOneEyedBoh

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Nov 23, 2011
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#1
Im going to go the rock chucker route for now. But Im looking for dies for a precision 308win. I think Id like the micrometer dies, but I dont know which ones I would need? Id either like them from Forster, RCBS or Redding. Can someone list what I would need from each brand? I see some dies come in a 3 pack, but again not sure. I also need the shell holders for 308 too. Should I get two of them, one for the hand primer and one for the press?
 
#2
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im going to go the rock chucker route for now. But Im looking for dies for a precision 308win. I think Id like the micrometer dies, but I dont know which ones I would need? Id either like them from Forster, RCBS or Redding. Can someone list what I would need from each brand? I see some dies come in a 3 pack, but again not sure. I also need the shell holders for 308 too. Should I get two of them, one for the hand primer and one for the press? </div></div>

I got the Hornady bushing dies, FL & NS, dont need the FL but Ill find a use for it. Its good to have a shell holder for both your press and priming tool. You really dont need a micrometer seating die.
 
#5
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

Full length and neck sizer. The full length sizes the entire case while the neck sizer just sizes the neck. In bolt guns, it is often advantageous to just size the neck so the rest of the case stays the perfect size to fit back into the chamber it was already fired in. After a while though, it will need a FL sizing again. For semi autos, FL is about the only option in order to guarantee reliable cycling.

It's not a bad idea to jump over the entry level dies and go with an upgraded set. Depending on the brand, these will usually be called 'competition' or 'benchrest' dies or something similar.
 
#6
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

Okay yeah I dont mind spending more money on better dies.. Can someone link me to a nice set of Forester, RCBS, or Redding? I dont want to spend 150 bucks but like 65?
 
#7
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

I have a Forster Benchrest Dies in 308 and Forster Ultra Dies in 300 Blackout. While the BR seating die works, the Micrometer seater is worth the extra $30.

So whatever you choose and you are concerned with precision, go with the a Micrometer Seater in any brand.
 
#8
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

Okay so I need the full sizer , neck sizer die and a seater die? and thats it?

edited: I looked at the rockchucker kit and well Its filled with things I was already going to buy. the only thing I would buy from the kit would be the powder thrower and the press.. I already have an older 505 that Im going to send out to scott parker to get calibrated.

So for the press I might go Forster since it seems to be the go to single stage. So why not buy it?

Now what about a powder thrower? I dont mind trickling the last few grains into the cartridge so I dont want to go chargemaster. What powder thrower will work well with Varget?
 
#9
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

<span style="font-style: italic">"Okay so I need the full sizer, neck sizer die and a seater die? and thats it?"</span>

Okay, I'll make it easy. It doesn't matter what I use, your needs are different from mine; YOU will be well served by a set of Forster BR dies; that includes a very good FL die and an excellant (straight line) seater die. A micrometer seater head is a user convienence, it adds nothing to the quality of the ammo. And forget a neck sizer die, certainly for now and maybe forever. The value of neck sizing is inconstant at best and you don't need that confusion factor when getting started. And, yeah, that's it - for dies. But you will need a lot more than a press and dies and a shell holder.

Measures from Lyman, Redding, RCBS and Hornady work fine if the user experiments to learn what works best for each one AND the powder being used. Meaning consistancy is up to the user more than the brand.

The first thing you should buy is a loading manual. Get one by Lyman, Hornady, Lee or Sierra. They all include well writen beginner instructions and illustrations as well as loading data. You can learn what tools are needed for basic work from what they tell you.


 
#10
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

Im on top of that Fuzz haha. Ive been reading ABCs of reloading ( not done yet ) I bought litz ballistics book, Sierra, lyman 49 and hornadys book too. And Ive got the rest of the stuff needed for reloading sitting in my midway cart.

These dies here?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/889455/forster-ultra-2-die-set-308-winchester-national-match

edited: Also fuzz Ive read since Im shooting an rem 700 bolt, I should neck size and not full case size? Granted Ive read both sides of the line.
 
#11
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

Yes, those dies. They are as good as it gets for threaded dies.

Again, forget neck sizers. You have a LOT to learn before you will be ready to even try them, they don't often help at all and not a lot when they do.
 
#13
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

Best Die I've purchased for my .308 accuracy load has been the Forster Neck Size/Shoulder Bump, bushing die.

Neck turn your cases for uniform thickness, select a bushing that gives you the desired neck tension, and when sizing, the neck is reduced only enough to grip the bullet with desired tension. The Shoulder is also "bumped" back by only a couple thou rather than all the way back to SAAMI spec. No need to run an expander ball through the neck thus running the risk of ending up with a crooked neck. Only need a very slight amount of lube on the outside of the neck. A dab of Unique for me will handle 10 cases. Your cases will chamber in your bolt action rifle with little or no resistance, the case doesn't get worked any more than absolutely necessary thus will last far longer. Run-out of finished cases using this die are less than .0015 as a rule.

For a seater die, I like the Redding S-type with a micrometer seater plug. I added the seater plug after I bought the regular die and it ended up cheaper than essentially the same "Competition Die". Just remember to get the right plug for your bullet shape. VLD's need a different plug.
 
#14
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

<span style="font-style: italic">"Best Die I've purchased for my .308 accuracy load has been the Forster Neck Size/Shoulder Bump, bushing die. Neck turn your cases for uniform thickness,..." </span>

Fer goodness sake, all of that and a lot of other 'good' stuff is an old hand's crap for a new guy just trying to get his feet on the ground in reloading. "What I like" is meaningless for now and a long time yet to come, what <span style="text-decoration: underline">he</span> needs is a good standard FL and good seating die like what he's posted.
 
#15
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

You dont need to spend more for your dies, i spent 43 bucks on the Hornady match bushing dies, youll just have to buy a seater die which you dont have to spend much, either. Question is, do you have to spend more on dies when your 308 shoots like this out to 300yds?
IMG_0446.jpg

Get these dies.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/389298/...-308-winchester

And this seater. Then call Hornady to order a Match 308 seater plug.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/182414/...-308-winchester

If youll be using Win brass youll need a .331 bushing, .334 for Lapua and Rem brass.

 
#17
Re: Need help with dies for 308win


And like deadshot mentioned, dont use the expander, take it off and put that other straight looking thingy, dont recall what its called at the moment, lol.
Itll look like this.
IMG_0468-1-1.jpg
 
#18
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

what constitutes a VLD bullet? Im going to use SMK 175s and Hornady BTHP 178s ( i think ) And Im confused on which redding die you are recommending? Go standard and just add the micro? And like fuzz said, do I really need a neck sizer or not? full length okay but neck too? I know each person has their own school of thought, but I need to figure this out now so I can place this order.
 
#19
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what constitutes a VLD bullet? Im going to use SMK 175s and Hornady BTHP 178s ( i think ) And Im confused on which redding die you are recommending? Go standard and just add the micro? And like fuzz said, do I really need a neck sizer or not? full length okay but neck too? I know each person has their own school of thought, but I need to figure this out now so I can place this order. </div></div>
Real long skinny bullets. http://www.bergerbullets.com/Products/Target%20Bullets.html
You might consider Hornadys 178AMAX. Get the Hornady match bushing neck sizing dies and their regular seater and order the match seater plug directly from Hornady, they work very well for me, the neck size only dies will save wear and tear on your brass and youll get the best chance for shooting your best groups. Im sure you noticed the links I sent in a previous reply?
 
#22
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

Then go out and buy a Lee Die set. Will do everything you need for basic reloading.

Neck sizing is for those that are shooting bolt action rifles and want to keep the case "chamber sized" as much as possible. Neck sizing just sizes the neck so it will grip the bullet. Basic Stuff. The problem comes later when your brass, which is sized too small, then expanded to just right, starts to split on you. No big deal if you're using range pickup or cheap Winchester. If you're paying 3-4 times as much for Lapua or ????, you may want to make it last longer.

For just over $30 you get a full length sizing die, a collet die for when you want to neck size only, and a seater die that works just fine for a beginner. That should satisfy those who think the other recommendations are "too much" for a beginner. I just think that most "beginners" eventually grow into "old hands" and for those that expect to, might as well get the good stuff and learn how to use it. No point in having 10 different dies sitting around that you've accumulated along the "learning process".
 
#24
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

One eye, you WILL need a FL die, you will NOT need a neck die of any type. Get the set you linked to earlier and learn to use it.
 
#25
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oh yeah, thanks. what Im wondering is why should I worry about neck sizing now? Ya know since Im :green: at reloading? Kinda like fuzz said, I havent even gotten my feet wet yet. </div></div>
Neck sizing is really easy. The Hornady NS dies like I have bump the shoulder so you wont need to buy a FL die to totally resize your brass unless you happen to pickup some used brass from the range or a buddy, but it wont hurt to have one(FL) die around for second hand brass that wasnt fired in your rifle, thats where Ill use that other FL match bushing die I bought by mistake last year. If I can learn to use the bushing dies anyone can do it, easy as pie. Just a matter of using the right bushing to get the right neck tension and turning the die down to get the right amount of shoulder bump so the round will chamber nicely. That being said get a basic set of 308 dies like the new dimension dies, learn how to use them then graduate the the match bushing dies.
 
#26
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah no doubt. Im going to buy the Forster set. It was recommended to me a bunch of times. They have a bushing neck sizer one too.

edited: I was also told that neck sizing isnt critical on stock chambers..

here is the die I believe: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/814070/...-308-winchester </div></div>

Bushings included: 0.336", 0.334", 0.332"

The .336 bushing wont do anything, its too big for Lapua brass and will be way too big for Win & Rem brass, .332 might work for Win brass, I use .331 for Win brass & .334 for lapua. Other than that, theyre too expensive if you can only use 2 of the three bushings and possibly only one of them.
 
#27
Re: Need help with dies for 308win

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah no doubt. Im going to buy the Forster set. It was recommended to me a bunch of times. They have a bushing neck sizer one too.

edited: I was also told that neck sizing isnt critical on stock chambers..

here is the die I believe: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/814070/...-308-winchester </div></div>

OneEyed, I just bought this same Forster set. Just be certain you absolutely lube the cases as instructed, and actually, seek advise right here. If you don't you are going tow be very very sorry!!! Yes, I forgot to lube the inside of neck of ONE piece of my .308 Winchester brass and the neck expander ball would NOT come back out. Ripped the case rim right off the base of case. That case is still stuck in there forever, unless someone can tell me what to do. Anyway I ordered another Bench Rest sizer die from Midaway and went to work again when I got it. This time I used Motor Mica to lube the inside of case neck, Motor Mica is a fine powder that looks like drugs. I ordered the Mica when I ordered replacement die. Okay so first piece of Winchester 308 brass I try it got stuck in here AGAIN!!!! WTF!!! Case was lubed well, I used the Mica with brand new case neck brush sufficiently. Now I am dead in water with no sizer die. On the fence about who's die to get now. But I'm thinking still get another Forster Bench Rest and just use normal oil based lube for inside of neck. it worked fine the first time I used it that way, it was my fault in first place. Do NOT forget to lube inside neck even just once!!!!!!
 
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