Carbide VS Steel .308 dies

[sublimaze41]

I just purchased a PTR 91 and need to get a set of .308 dies. I will also be loading for a target .308 rifle in the future. The PTR is an semi-automatic and the rifle will be a bolt.

What dies should I get? Carbide versus steel. I will be reloading from a Dillon 550b. The price difference between carbide and steel is considerable!

Thanks!

 

[Travis Two]

The carbide dies still need to have the cases lubed and are designed for commercial loaders that do so many cases that they could possibly wear out steel dies. The carbide dies do however take 30 -50 % less force on the handle to size the cases. I have the carbide dies in .308 and .223 and I really like them. I still think that you would get by just fine with a quality steel die set like the Reddings and a very good case lube. The best lube I have found so far is Case Slick from RCBS in an aerosol form.

 

[30Cal]

Travis covered pretty much everything. I've had both. The tangible benefit is the reduced effort for sizing.