What dies should I buy? Newbie here

[Hunter24]

I've read and read and read some more. I'm undecided on which dies I should buy. Brand doesn't really matter that much. Although I am reloading with the RCBS Rock Chucker kit.

I'm needing 6.5 creedmoor and 338 lapua dies.

Suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Deerhunter 28]

I use regular FL RCBS.
Shoot up to 1,000 yards.
No problems.
Let the Flaming begin.


PSE EVO 60 Lbs.
Blacked out

 

[JGorski]

For your 6.5 get the Hornady Custom bushing die, call Forster and see if they can make a 6.5 Creedmoor seater. I use their 6xc seater for my 6 crreedmoor, it works perfectly.
ULTRA? MICROMETER SEATER DIES | Brownells

 

[JByrd]

redding type s

 

[r2shooter]

I like Redding dies myself.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

Forster set, if you want to play with bushing type dies, get Redding.

Or just get the cheapest dies you can find, that way, when you decide to throw them away and get good stuff, you won't be out too much money. ;-)

 

[ace of hearts]

I am one of the newer reloaders so others may comment from a vantage point of greater experience, however like you I have just gone through the process of setting up for 6.5 creedmoor reloading. Also like you, I did much reading and research before investing.
1. At the high end everyone seems to like the redding competition dies with the bushings, however beggars can't be choosers and you will be lucky to find that set; even if you do... finding the redding/wilson bushings in 6.5 creedmoor sizes (you know they must be purchased separately)is impossible right now. One earlier thread here suggested that the RCBS bushings will work in a redding die, but I am not sure if this is confirmed.
2. Everyone likes forster dies, but they do not make a kit for 6.5 creedmoor though some (as have commented above) have found work arounds to stick with forster dies.
3. The hornady seems quite popular and has good reviews here.
4. I wanted the redding set, but could not find the bushings, so I bought the non bushing whidden die, and I am very happy with it. It has excellent construction quality.

 

[colscar]

i guess it really depends on what you want ..... i use lee dies cuz im not shooting past 500 meters and i dont mind lubing my cases. i got the regular pacesetter set, the delux set somes with a full lenght size die and a neck only die but no crip die. so far everything has work great for me and it was low buck as well

 

[Rprecision]

I have had good luck with Lee and Forester. Had some bad things with RCBS and I feel there is more value to be had in other brands

 

[Grizzdude]

I use the Redding type S dies as well for my 338 Lapua.

 

[Fuzzball]

You are a noob and you're getting different answers from old hands; does that not suggest it really doesn't make any certain difference what brand or model dies you use? Obviously all our die makers have their fans because ALL of our die makers do quite well but individual favorites aren't scientific fact. Fact is, it will take a lot of loading and shooting and learning before you reach the effective limits of the ammo which can be produced in any brand of common dies.

Pick a price point that makes you feel good and buy some dies, knowing that individual dies from the same maker will vary as much on average as they will between brands anyway. Later, IF you ever decide to spend more on dies you will then have enough personal experience to know what you want to try and not have to ask anyone who hasn't a clue what you may need or will prefer to use anyway.

 

[Max1]

Lots of good advice above. Here's my 2 cents worth:
It makes a difference if you're shooting a bolt or a gas gun, hunting or target and at what range.
Having said this, for my custom 6.5 CM bolt gun, shooting steel out to 1,400 yd I use:
1. Redding Body Die with new brass and every 5th loading
2. Redding Type S Neck Bushing Die - gives me the ability to change bushing size for brass thkns and as neck thkns reduces from firing and it works the brass a lot less than FL sizing every time
3. Redding Competition Seating Die for precise alignment of bullet into case mouth and super easy adjustment of seating depth
FWIW, I'm also using the Rock Chucker press I bought in 1979. I've had good results with RCBS dies (no neck bushings), Small Base for AR and Carbide for 45 ACP.
Recently I replaced my 308 dies with Redding per above. I was lucky to find them in stock (Midway I think). Other times I've waited 2 or 3 months to get what I wanted.
Good luck!

 

[GrantA]

If you hurry, check the group buy section here. There's a Redding group buy good through Nov 1. Nothing wrong with Lee dies either though, or rcbs, Hornady, etc

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[Millionaire]

Redding Type S

 

[pkt1199]

Didn't see it anywhere in the thread but is the 6.5 semi or bolt? I recently ordered some Redding dies and they did not recommend the Type S for semi auto.

 

[maggitas]

OK here is my .02 cents.

Many manufacturers make good dies. In my opinion you need to figure what you put a priority on.

1. Are you shooting a gas gun or bolt gun. ( Full length size on Gas guns Neck sizing on Bolts if you are not separating brass you may need a Small base die)
2. Are you going to be shooting different weight bullets. ( If you are shooting a bunch of different bullets you may want a Microseater die big time saver)
3. Budget (Lee Pacesetter dies are not bad, My Friends RCBS dies produce accurate ammo. I have Forster dies and like em. Reddings are top notch)
4. What are you trying to achieve. Do you want something that you can compete with in F class or do you just want to bang steel at 600-800 yds (case sorting & prep)
5. Are you going to be using a Progressive reloader or single stage?

You need to ask yourself these questions and taylor your dies to your needs.

 

[colscar]

fuzzball nailed it..... i was in your shoes a few months ago and i guess you just have to do it and just get what you can afford and if you need to upgrade you go from there. i read the faq on the manufactuers sites plus some of the stickys here ....

 

[SporterII]

I asked this question a couple years ago and the most helpful answer was from Fuzzball. Same advice he gave you.
This was actually influential. I got it. Went right to it. Studied and still read these and other pages. Hitting three for three with a 223 at 1000, 10" plate with my load with 75 Amax last time out. Now I am bad ass with my stuff [I think I am] . I know about half about it yet.
I bought the Rockchucker kit and RCBS FL die sets. There are things I would now change. What I would not change is the benefit I got from good basic kit and knowledge gained here and reading other. A mentor put me on to the kit. Smart move. Start and learn.

 

[Eastbay]

I use RCBS and Dillon

 

[jbaskinusn]

Agree with everything said. I went the LEE route myself. Had one of the primer punches break on me. Contacted Lee and they sent me a new one, overnight, free of charge. They carry a lifetime warranty on their products from my understanding with them.