Economical way to get 30'06 dies from 308

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judaspriest

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I have a couple of decent sets of 308 dies (RCBS & Hornady), but now need a 3006 set. I imagine the seating die would need to be different, but what about expanding/decapping one? Is there a way to realize any savings here or I need a full 30'06 set anyway?

I am not trying to be super-cheap, but if there is a safe way to save a little with no loss of quality, why not give it a try....

Thanks,

JP
 
Not so sure about that.

Hey there:
The .308 has a 20 Degree shoulder. The 30-06 has a 17 degree shoulder.
I can not see one die working for both.
 
find some one that wants 308 dies and will trade thier 30-06 for them.
 
I got a set of RCBS 30-06 dies I'll swap for a set of 308's...

PM me...

278330-06-dies-med.jpg
 
Hi guys,

Understood, I'll need a new set. Oh well, was worth checking :)

Schleprok62, thanks for the offer, but I would rather buy a new set instead.

Regards,

JP
 
Hey again:

Just so you can make a good decission.
if you are loading for an auto loader. You may need Small base dies.
If you are loading for a Bolt gun, Full length dies or neck sizing dies.
You can however just go with the full length dies and back them up some if just neck sizing.

Small base dies will set the base ofthe brass at min. specs so feeding in an auto loader will no be an issue.
Full length dies will size all the way down but not as small as the SB dies.
Neck sizing will size only the neck where the bullet sits. And will let the brass stay at chamber specs. This will result in a tighter fit. You may have to push the shpoulder back just a few thousands to get the round to chamber.
have fun .
 
What is with the sudden urge for everyone to get SB dies?

Totally pointless, IMO. The only actual reason I have ever heard for anyone buying them is to correct the dimensions of brass that had been fired in MGs.

Full length dies will work just fine.
 
Depends.

Hey there:
I am quite sure I am not about to enlighten you . But, For semi autos that "need" flawless feeding SB dies are the way to go. Some guns have smaller chambers and do not feed reliabaly with the full length dies.
I am not saying they are for accuracy. Not....
Just for more reliable feeding. ARs and such can at times be fussy.
 
The seating die wouldn't necessarily be different, although the extra 12mm may be too much. If you have a .308 seating die and don't use it to crimp, then you can use a micrometer seater to go down from .30-06 to .308. It would require some work to make sure it would work for both, but one cartridge's seater will work for the another of the same caliber, as long as the lengths are no so different that you run out of adjustment on the seating stem.
 
"...SB dies are the way to go..." FL dies worked just fine for semi-auto's long before there was such a thing as SB dies.
"...I need a full 30-06 set anyway?..." Yes, but the shell holder is the same.
 
Just wondering.

Hey there:
Why in the world did all these die makers produce Small base dies anyway ?
Oh well .
Dirty dogs , they were just creating an other marketing scheme.

After working on many different autos and finding some that would not "RELIABLELY" feed full length sized rounds we found that some needed SB dies. Maybe the guns you own and load for do not.
 
I think you've bought in to the manufacturer's (and the gun rag writer's) spiel hook, line, and sinker.

Unless you're totally negligent, it's not difficult to put together a load that works quite well in any given semi (yes, even ARs) with FL dies.

Although according to the interwebs it cannot be done, I've even done it with necksized brass!

They're a new(ish) commodity, and I find it difficult to believe that as old as reloading is, that they came on to the scene so recently were the need for them so great.
 
Wow>

That's Ok . There is an intended use for SB dies, And at time a need for them.
Using brass that came from another gun could qualify the need.

But then again if you really don't need them , don't use them. All I stated was their intened use. He can buy and use what ever he wants to...
 
I think I'll start with the full-size dies first and if I start seeing problems, will consider trying the SBs

Thanks for the info guys

jp
 
I find that when people take the time to adjust a full length die properly the precieved need for SB dies magically disappears. YOU MUST cam the press over against the bottom of the Full length die, anything less is partial resizing.

I've loaded for autos, pumps and Savage 99's I have yet to own a set of small base dies
 
No problem.

Hey there:
While I totally understand the ones here against the use of SB dies, i must add that when match chambers in guns like the AR-15s are very tight and one experiances feeding problems . the Small base dies can be of value.
I too use full length dies. I have even had some dies or shell holders that would not allow max sizing. I trimmed the shell holders a few .000" and the problem went away.
Again I did not advise to use these dies as much as I explained their use and said that they may be needed. Not that they will be needed. If I did then I guess I was wrong. That was not what I meant to say.

Anyway. He sounds like he has it figured out for now.
 
garand and small base dies.

I have a friend that had to go to small base dies to get his garand to cycle consistently. Mine has no problems on the otherhand.
 
This is why.

Hey There:
You just said it. IF you experiance enough different auto loaders you will come to one that will need SB dies sooner or later. Been there done that. I could not get the full length dies to work on several rifles in the past.
Most work but some are just too tight.
That is the only reason I brought up the SB dies in the first place, to save the guy starting a new thread asking why his rounds would not go.
They may work fine , That would be nice. If they don't he now has an option.
Happy loading all.
 
I find that when people take the time to adjust a full length die properly the precieved need for SB dies magically disappears. YOU MUST cam the press over against the bottom of the Full length die, anything less is partial resizing.
Click to expand...

Just curious if you've ever picked up any LC "once fired" .308 from Midway? I had the same opinion until I tried to process a batch of that stuff. W/O a SB die that stuff would NOT chamber in my Savage 10FLP . .the machine guns that stuff had been fired in was definately not friendly to just regular FL sizing.

FWIW.
 
W/O a SB die that stuff would NOT chamber in my Savage 10FLP . .the machine guns that stuff had been fired in was definately not friendly to just regular FL sizing.
Click to expand...

Yep, a SB die makes life a whole lot easier when resizing MG fired brass. Once you get it initially resized and fired in a rifle chamber, then a regular FL die is all that is needed. All I buy anymore is LC M118 LR Match brass; fired in M40A3 sniper rifles that are so tightly chambered, that all you need to do is necksize them.

Don
 
Just curious if you've ever picked up any LC "once fired" .308 from Midway? I had the same opinion until I tried to process a batch of that stuff. W/O a SB die that stuff would NOT chamber in my Savage 10FLP . .the machine guns that stuff had been fired in was definately not friendly to just regular FL sizing.
Click to expand...

Sorry but I make a habit of NOT buying brass that's been fired in chambers that are grossly out of SAAMI spec. I don't care how cheap it is. That being said did you just run the die down on your raised shellholder on a full length die OR did you run the die in another 1/4 farther down after shellholder contact?
 
Just out of curiosity . . .where do you get that brass and how much does it run?
Click to expand...

Dave,

I buy the M118LR brass, run it thru my tumbler and resell it. I sold over 18,000 pieces last year, and have sold 5,000 pieces so far this year. Just got a few more in; email me for details.

Don
 
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