Which RCBS Die for 308?

[HEMI_Driver]

<---Newbie Reloader

I am in the process of putting together a reloading kit on the RCBS website. This is what it looks like so far.

1. ROCK CHUCKER SUPREME MASTER KIT ---$445.95
2. F L DIE SET .308 WIN --------------$ 40.95
3. NECK DIE SET .308 WIN -------------$ 43.95
4. SMALL BASE DIE SET .308 WIN--------$ 43.95
5. SHELL HOLDER NO 3 -----------------$ 8.95
6. TRIM PRO MANUAL CASE TRIM KIT -----$125.95
Total (before taxes and shipping) ----$709.70


My question is regarding the die sets. What are the three different die sets for and do I need all three? I couldn't find anything on the RCBS site regarding the differences between the three sets so I thought I'd ask the gurus on the hide.

Also, I have absolutely ZERO reloading equipment at the moment. Is there anything glaringly important that you see missing from the above order that I am really going to wish I had once I get started?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

Redding Type S FL die, no neck needed, Redding Comp Seating die

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

"2. F L DIE SET .308 WIN --------------$ 40.95
3. NECK DIE SET .308 WIN -------------$ 43.95
4. SMALL BASE DIE SET .308 WIN--------$ 43.95 "

How 'bout, "None of the above."

If you get those three 'sets' you will pay for the same seater three times. And no one with a bolt rifle needs a Small Base sizer die.

RCBS dies are of average quality and design, good but not great. Get a Forster BR or Redding Competition set instead, it won't matter which one. The Forster FL die has the better expander system.

If you really want to neck size, get a Lee Collet Neck die. And consider a Lee Universal Decapping die too, it's the toughest of its type and costs less than its competitors.

 

[samnev]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

You don't need all 3 die sets. While the Forster dies mentioned are great I have been using the regular RCBS FL die set for years for everything from M1A's to my TRG 22 and never had a single problem. One thing I would look at is the RCBS set they sell with the RCBS 1500 ChargeMaster Combo. Well worth the additional money it costs. If memory serves it cost about what you are about to spend.

Cabela's and RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Deluxe Reloading Kit Item:IA-216927
$779.99

 

[JALVI]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"<span style="font-weight: bold">2. F L DIE SET .308 WIN --------------$ 40.95
3. NECK DIE SET .308 WIN -------------$ 43.95
4. SMALL BASE DIE SET .308 WIN--------$ 43.95 "

How 'bout, "None of the above."</span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">RCBS dies are of average quality and design, good but not great</span></span>. Get a Forster BR or Redding Competition set instead, it won't matter which one. The Forster FL die has the better expander system.
</div></div>
#1 - You dont need those three sets.
#2 -I disagree.

I have Redding Type S, Forster, AND RCBS dies, and for my 308 I run an RCBS Comp set PN # 37801. Which I have ran thousands of rounds through and have yet to have a problem, and my TIR is consistantly AT or UNDER 0.0005.

IMO they are simple, easy to use, and pretty much idiot proof. YMMV

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

I made do wth the 2-piece F/L standard die set. It can be converted into a neck-only die by simply backing up up away from the base. Every once in awhile, the shoulder will need a bump, and then we simply screw the die back down to the F/L resize position.

<span style="font-style: italic">Some</span> semi's will need a Small Base Resizing Die, but not until the standard resizer has proven itself inadequate.

For trim, in a pinch, a standard case guage will double as a trim die, simply drop it atop the resized case, and use a file to take off any part of the neck which protrudes. Finish with a deburring reamer, lightly does it.

Greg

 

[HEMI_Driver]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

Thanks for the quick feedback.

Would you recommend ordering the Match Bushing Full Die Set (#36155)? It comes with the Type S Full Sizing Die and the Competition Seating Die. Or... would you recommend their New National Match Die Kit (#39155) which looks to be the above items along with the addition of a taper crimp die?

Sorry... the above would be from Redding. The dies on the RCBS order would be removed.

 

[repiv]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

Get Redding Dies, Just get the 2 die set, Full Length Type S Sizing Die with the correct bushing, and the Competition Seater Die. The size bushing you will need depends on what brass you use and its thickness and the amount of tension you want on your bullet. If you read the Redding catalog, which is a PDF you can download from thier website, there is one section that tells you how to measure for the correct bushing size.

Also as Santo says above get the Cabela's and RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Deluxe Reloading Kit Item:IA-216927
$779.99

It has the ChargeMaster in it and the Trim Pro. All you need to add to this kit to get started is a good caliper.

Read a good manual or 2 (do not leave out this step)

 

[BCP]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

FL die set. Also shop around a bit, those prices seem steep. Midway is 300$ for that reloading kit I think.

edit: I buy all my dies used at gun shows / ebay and I've never had issues - most FL die sets I have cost me ~20$. I'm kind of an RCBS fanboy so I stick with them. The rock chucker isn't the cheapest all-in-one-box setup but it's full of good stuff - press, uniflow, scale are all great for the money imo.

As far as match/competition etc dies go if you're just starting I think you're better off using that money for odds and ends like extra trays, cartridge boxes, dies for other calibers, RCBS case master for measuring run out, maybe a 2nd press while you're at it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[repiv]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?


""Also shop around a bit, those prices seem steep. Midway is 300$ for that reloading kit I think""


This is the kit you are thinking of

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=646599

And is no comparison to this kit

Cabela's and RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Deluxe Reloading Kit

The chargemaster alone is around $300. If you know where to get the above kit for $300 please let us know. The problem with buying the first kit from midway or anywhere else is that you will replace all the items anyway. Why not just buy them to start with. If I had to start over buying reloading equiptment I would srart with this kit for sure.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Which RCBS Die for 308?

"RCBS dies are of average quality and design, good but not great. Get a Forster BR or Redding Competition set instead, it won't matter which one. The Forster FL die has the better expander system.

#2 -I disagree."

Heavy, note that I refered too 'average' quality, never meant there are no exceptions to any brand or model of dies. When tolerances stack right any set can load perfectly but that's luck. If the tolerances don't stack right, no brand is great. But, even not so great is pretty good and there is no reason to think any brand of dies will give anyone any specific problems except some runout. And, a lot - most? - runout is caused by the cases and no dies can automatically correct for that.

Ref. the mechanical facts of both the Forster and Redding comp dies; their seaters have snugly fitted full-length sliding chamber sleeves under the control of a strong spring. In use they hold the entire case and bullet in near perfect alignment well before seating starts, working very much like Wilson's REAL BR grade of straight line seaters. Redding simply copied Forster's excellant seater design after the patents expired so both brands are very good.

On the other hand, the facts of the RCBS Gold Metal/Comp dies and Hornady's seaters is they all have very short gravity controlled sliding sleeves. They are copies of 60s era Vickerman, Lyman and Herter's "precision" seaters that were dropped from the market because the small benefit wasn't worth the extra cost to most reloaders. Problem was, and remains, their short, gravity controlled and loosely fitted sliding sleeves ONLY align the bullet and a bit of the neck. The user must depend on how well the ram/shell holder positions the case head for overall alignment. As a design type, it means there's little, if any, average alignment difference between them and conventional seaters. Which are, on average, quite good. But not great.