BEST dies for .308Win?

[shovel66]

Hello,
I am not new to reloading but really only have experience loading handgun cartridges and .223Rem and 300 BLK. I will be starting to load for .308Win and am asking what is the absolute best dies on the market for a progressive press. I don't care about price, because I would rather spend more and get better, but want dies that work well. The firearms the loads will be used in is S&W M&P10 and Springfield M1A. Thanks for your ideas and opinions.

 

[Khaot1c]

With those guns you know right away that you'll be looking for full-length dies. Do you mind mixing and matching die sets?

I've been told the Redding micrometer adjustment bullet seaters are second to none. I have never used them - but I"m sure that there are some folks here that do - maybe they can chime in.

 

[Reloadron]

Color coordination in die boxes is important so just get a set of whatever brand you currently have for 223.

Seriously I have RCBS FL dies for loading 308 for my M1A and my AR 10. They work fine. I also have a set of the RCBS Competition FL dies with the micrometer bullet seater in 308 and they work fine and finally a set of Lee 308 FL dies. Between the RCBS FL dies and the Lee FL dies I can't tell or see any difference in the loaded rounds. I only use the Comp dies in my Rock Chucker.

Ron

 

[W.E.G.]

Be careful with micrometer bullet seaters. Some will split (Redding for example) if you ever load compressed loads with it.

AMHIK.

 

[Smokey Joe]

The beedly-bidly BEST...

Shovel 66--You're asking an impossible question. There is no BEST set of reloading dies for all applications.

Now, the most precision die would be something from the likes of Sinclair, be highly precisely made, and cost a mint. And also not work in a "regular" reloading press like an RCBS Rock-chucker, Dillon progressive, or similar. BUT: You're shooting autoloaders, that have to have the cases full-length-resized every time around. You just can't make use of that level of precision--It's for the likes of bolt action benchrest guns, where a difference of 0.01" in group size at 100yd will win or lose a match. (Incidentally, you can't control every aspect of every single cartridge reloaded, as precisely on your progressive as is possible with a single-stage press--One more argument against having the most expensive, high-precision dies possible...)

So: What you want is NOT the most expensive dies to be had, but dies that will work well for your purpose, which, as I understand it, is to produce respectably accurate ammo for use in your autoloaders.

This can be done with a variety of manufacturers' dies. I agree with Khaotic, the micrometer-adjustable bullet seating die is a good thing. Several makers produce them, and they all work about the same. The other die you'd need would be a FL sizing die. Most of my dies are RCBS, but I also have Redding, Lee, Dillon, and Pacific dies which work just fine. I think that ANY good-quality FL resizing die from one of the reputable makers would fill your bill, and not cost you an arm and a leg.

Die makers are generally great with customer service, Dillon and RCBS notably so. If you were to get any other than excellent results from their die, the maker would probably want to know about it, so as to correct the problem and/or help you with whatever difficulty.

Bottom line: For your application, IMHO, a micrometer seating die, and a good-quality FL decap/resize die, from any of the major makers, should suit just fine.

Good luck in your search, and please keep us posted as to results.

 

[Blue68f100]

Since your loading for a high volume (simi-auto) use on a AP I would suggest you look in to the SB dies. Some guns require it some don't. I added the RCBS X-Die to my die set since I do not like trimming. But most any set will work for general.

 

[Otto]

Using a Dillon press? Then get Dillon dies.

 

[cfullgraf]

I will be starting to load for .308Win and am asking what is the absolute best dies on the market for a progressive press.

Reloadron has it about right, get the color box that matches the decor in your reloading room.

Something to look at for a progressive, I recently got an RCBS Gold medal seater die for 204 Ruger and use it on a progressive press. It is slick.

You put the bullet into the side of the die and then you can move on to other tasks while the bullet is seating.

Pricey though.

 

[Ifishsum]

For rifle cartridges I like Redding a bit more most of the others, and even better with the carbide expander upgrade. I have a little of everything and they all work as intended; for me each brand seems to have some slightly irritating idiosyncrasy except Redding. But between standard dies there really aren't any major differences at the end of the day, I can make good accurate ammo with all of them.

 

[shovel66]

I do reload on a Dillon 550, but not concerned with a high volume when loading the .308. I bought a set of Hornady New Dimention dies and absolutely hated the resizing die. It was a full length size die which I need, but even with a thorough cleaning of cases and die and a generous amount of case lube, cases were still getting stuck quite regularly. I have great luck with the Dillon dies I use for .223, but Dillon gets $168 plus shipping for their set in .308. They are a bit pricey, but if they work much better than what I have, I would be willing to get them.

I sure appreciate you sharing all of your thoughts, ideas, experience, and opinions. I haven't made a final decision, but will probably be ordering something within the next two weeks. Thanks again.

 

[savanahsdad]

did you clean those dies before you started using them ? they use a rust protector on most new dies , that dose not mix well with some case lubes ,


never mind , I thought you only clean and lube cases ,

.

what are you using for lube ?





.

 

[45lcshooter]

Your BEST dies and press out there are DILLON, they are the Land Rover or Mercedes of reloading. But i can reload the same accurate round out of my 19.99 set of Lee dies in my RCBS RockChuckar press. Reloading can be an art, in the sense of your making your own ammo, to your specs, and how your gun likes them. You just need to dial your dies in, have your powder charges the absolute same every time. And you will be shooting better than the ammo off the shelf,

Most People's scale of BEST to its a die and it does its job- Dillon, Redding, RCBS, Lyman,Lee,Herters/Pacific

 

[HexHead]

I've been happy with my RCBS rifle dies.

 

[lightman]

Any 2 die FL set of dies should serve you well. Hornady has a good rep. I would call them, or just do a good cleaning/polishing job on them. I really like my Dillon pistol dies, but do not own any of their rifle dies.


Straight line seaters are nice, but you may not see much/any improvement unless you have a really accurate rifle. The micrometer top is nice , but not necessary. Forester makes a Benchrest set containing a FL sizer and a straight line seater, without a micrometer top. I think Hornady offers the same thing. Redding offers a Master hunter set with a FL sizer and the micrometer top seater. They also offer a National Match set that includes a taper crimp die.

Having said all of that; Most of my pistol dies are Dillon or RCBS carbide. Most of my rifle dies are RCBS except for my customs, which get Redding.

I suggest getting a Sinclair catalog and looking thru it. It has some great stuff, and good info. Lightman

 

[Ridgerunner665]

For the rifles the OP mentions...I recommend Redding National Match dies.

 

[Slamfire]

I really like Dillion dies, they are very expensive but they have features that I like, plus there is always the “No BS” Dillion warranty. I had a rock in a 45 ACP case, the Dillion decapping spindle bent, and Dillion replaced the spindle for free. Was not their fault but they would not take money for the replacement.

A stout spindle is great. I stopped using Bonanza sizing dies for two reasons: could not get a small base die and the spindles broke easily. There are lots of military cases with off center primer holes, that Bonanza spindle would bust on those. It also busted decapping crimped primers. The RCBS spindle, Redding spindle, Lee spindle, Dillion spindle are very stout and won’t bust easily.

 

[jmorris]

The Dillon carbide dies are the best ones I have used for 308. They even have a stuck case remover built into the die. From reading some threads on the subject, this is worth the price alone.