.30-06 Neck Sizing Die Differences

[sweater914]

I'm trying to narrow down some differences in neck sizing dies. I have several Hornady and RCBS (competition) dies, so I looked at their offerings. The dies looked fairly conventional, then I looked at the Redding competition neck sizing dies. Redding die involves a bushing, which adds some complexity and cost but are there substantial advantages using the bushings? Are the Redding die and Hornady/RCBS die different to set up? Finally, are the dies substantially different in construction? Thanks fellas.

 

[JimKirk]

Regular dies size the neck down smaller than the desired size, then expands the neck to the needed size.

Bushing dies simply size the neck down and the results really depends on the thickness of the brass, the consistency and the bushing size to give you the correct diameter.

Jimmy K

 

[sweater914]

I'm new to neck sizing so I'm a little hesitant, and I'm trying to digest some of the marketing hype on the product discriptions. I'm assuming the bushings provide some flexibility as to what size you want to size the neck. I have no experience with Redding products other than reading people's opinion on the boards, which are mostly positive.

 

[JimKirk]

Redding products are well made products... I own several sets of regular rifle and pistol dies .... they are nice products.

If you are going to use bushing dies ... you almost have to turn the case necks to get uniform diameters... the bushings come in various sizes that you can match to the thickness of your brass. Otherwise if you do not turn ... the neck inside diameter will vary.

Jimmy K

 

[USSR]

...are there substantial advantages using the bushings?

Most definately. The biggest advantage is that you eliminate the expander ball. And, you control the amount of neck tension by controlling what size bushing you use. Also, and I am getting a bit tired of having to repeat this, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO NECK TURN BRASS TO USE BUSHING DIES! I have used them in 1,000 yard competition for 7 years without neck turning, and if ever there would be a problem, it would surely show up on target at 1,000 yards. Yes, any neck thickness variations are pushed to the inside diameter when you use them, but seating your bullet acts like a mandrel and those variations are pushed back to the outside, just like they are when an expander ball passes thru the neck.

Don

 

[sweater914]

The difference in cost between the bushing and non-bushing dies is almost double, which is fine so long as I'm getting additional function/capability. I'm not shooting in 1000yd competitions(I'd love to but don't shoot enough, North Dakota winters put all outdoor activities into a deep freeze), I'm just trying to make the most accurate ammo I can. I do have a Forester neck turning tool, which I've used with the brass I'm working with. I can't afford custom Nosler or Hornady brass, I'm using standard Winchester brass. I'm hoping to improve accuracy in my warmed over Ruger Mk77. The posts have been helpful, thanks fellas.

 

[243winxb]

Bushing dies are at there best with neck turned brass. Have a look at Forster BUSHING BUMP NECK SIZING DIE
http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=27654 I use a Redding Type-S FL Bushing Die in 243win.

 

[ranger335v]

Sweater, unless a rifle is a custom rig with a tight neck chamber requiring turning the necks to even get the cartridge in, a bushing die has high value. (In fact, that's what they were made for.) But, you're shooting a rifle with a standard SAAMI chamber and the neck is so loose and your case necks are so thin and variable, bushings offer exactly nothing, no matter the outraged howls that may follow this.

The absolute best neck die for factory chambers is Lee's Collet Neck Sizer. It makes necks as staight as they can be with unturned brass. The inside is always formed down to the same size no matter the neck thickness and the "bullet tension" is as tight as quality seated bullets can use. Necks being too tight is a major contributor to bullet run-out and anything smaller/tighter than about one thousanth is more than it needs to be.

Use your excellant Forster neck turner to skim turn maybe 60-80% of your case necks circumference and size them with a Lee neck die; your bullet run-out will be as good as most rifles can benefit from. Use the money saved from the bushing die to get a Forster BR seater, with or without the micrometer head. All the mic head does is make it a little easier on you, it doesn't do a thing to the loaded ammo.

The Lee neck dies do have a moving part, the collet, so those who have difficulty dealing with moving parts would do better to get a conventional neck die.

 

[sweater914]

Thanks Ranger, my dad was nice enough to give me his old RCBS competition .30-06 dies with the micrometer bullet seating adjustment, they're still in the original WOOD box. Apparently, they're to tall to use with his Forester press, if felt a little guilty after looking up what a new set of the same dies are worth.

Anyhow, I might not have a true competition rig right now, but I'd rather buy the right tool once even it means spending a little more.

 

[JimKirk]

Don

you almost have to turn the case necks to get uniform diameters

Please reread what I posted ....I never said it was a must to turn .....only that to get a uniform diameter.

I still believe that to get uniform inside diameters with bushing dies...without using expanders... you will have to turn the necks. My statement was correct.

By your words ...you are simply using your bullets as expanders.

Jimmy K

 

[USSR]

Jim,

I know you never said "you must turn your brass to use a bushing die" but, everybody repeats the same 'ol tired "read it on the internet" knowledge (but no actual hands on experience) that bushing dies are for neck turned brass, and that if you don't turn your brass, then bushing dies are not for you. The plain facts are, they work perfectly well with unturned brass, and they give you something that no expander ball die or collet die can give you: the ability to reduce or increase the amount of neck tension quite easily. By simply changing the bushing, I can go from loading M2 ball ammo with high neck tension for my Garand, to loading Lapua brass for my match rifle with .001" neck tension with the bullet loaded .020" long to softseat it when chambered.

Don