Lee .308 die question

[josephbw]

I recently bought a Winchester 88 in .308, and I need to get a die set. I have a Lee Turret press, and have had good luck for the most part with Lee dies. I would like to know which Lee .308 Winchester die set would be the best one. They list both 2 & 3 die sets.

I intend to use the rifle for hunting and varmint control, and maybe some target practice, but nothing serious. I've loaded a lot of pistol rounds, but this is my first venture into rifle reloading. Are their any other rifle specific tools I need besides a case trimmer to start with?

Thanks, Joe

 

[Sin City Shootist]

I use these. But I no longer use my turret for my rifle stuff, a single stage works better, for me at least. The lee auto pro disk doesn't have enough volume for the 308, its just a hair on the shy side and the press has just a bit to much slop in it. Don't get me wrong I use the hell out of my turret for my pistol stuff.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=148525

 

[LiveLife]

I reload .308 on the Lee Classic Turret on single stage mode with the center index rod removed. I hand weigh the powder charges.

+1 on the deluxe 3 die set. I also use the Universal decapping die to deprime first so I can remove military crimps and clean the primer pockets before I tumble and resize the cases.

 

[evan price]

I use the two die set for my 308. Depending on if you have an Auto-disc powder measure, you might want the Rifle Charging Die as well so that the entire process can be done on the press.

You really only need the Factory Crimp Die if you are loading for a semi-auto gun due to the action slamming the round into the chamber and if you have weak neck tension it might set back.

I load for FALs among others and have had no need of a factory crimp die.

 

[LiveLife]

The difference between the 2 vs 3 die set is that 3 die set comes with both full-length sizing die and the collet neck sizing die.

 

[gamestalker]

I would deffinitely weigh your powder charges rather than using a volmetric measuring device. You could buy the 3 die collet die set or a neck die if you want your brass to last a bit longer and improve accuracy, but a standard 2 die set (FL) will do just fine. Don't forget that when resizing bottle neck cases that you have to lube them. I have tried numerous types and find the spray on lube to be the least cumbersome to work with. And buy a dial caliper if you don't already have one.
In my own personal opinion, slow burning powder produces better velocity and accuracy. Slow burning powders are also far less tempermental to small deviations in powder charges in all aspects. Also in my personal opinion, in most instances seating your bullets up close to the lands can produce better accuracy.

 

[1KPerDay]

case trimmer, deburring/chamfering tool, imperial sizing wax, and FL sizing dies, IMO. you probably have a set of calipers already. DON'T use hornady one shot (spray lube) for full length sizing rifle cases. Ask me how I know.

I've READ that for lever guns you want to treat the brass like you would for a semi-auto; i.e., definitely full length resize.

IF you plan to use military brass with crimped primers, definitely get a heavy-duty decapping die (I got the RCBS HD decapping/depriming die which works great). If you use military brass you will also need a tool for removing the primer crimp before reloading.

 

[josephbw]

DON'T use hornady one shot (spray lube) for full length sizing rifle cases. Ask me how I know.

What happened with the spray lube?

 

[ranger335v]

Lee's RGB two die sets are made to be inexpensive, they include a standard FL and seating die but no shell holder. Their Pacesetter three die sets add a shell holder and a seperate bullet crimping die. The Delux three die sets swap the crimper for the excellant collet type neck sizer die. Since no other maker includes shell holders that addition to Lee's dies about $7-9 less than the price alone suggests; that makes Lee's three die sets a VERY good deal! And, contrary to some out-spoken gurus, they load ammo to as high a standard as any others of their general type.

One Shot is about as good as any case lube IF it's used precisely as the instructions direct; no surprise there! But, a LOT of people fail to use it correctly and it will quickly lead to stuck cases that are a pain to remove from the FL sizers. Most folks simply use a better lube, hand applied; Lee's, Redding's Imperial die wax and Hornady's Unique are all quite good and - properly applied - the user will never see a stuck case.

 

[josephbw]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your expertise.

 

[kludge]

The difference between the 2 vs 3 die set is that 3 die set comes with both full-length sizing die and the collet neck sizing die.

depends... the pacesetter set comes with a FL die, seating die, and a FC die. The Deluxe die set is FL die, Collet die and FC die.

So the question to the OP is, are shooting a semi auto? A bolt rifle for accuracy? For "nothing serious" you can get by with the RGB two-die set (if you already have a shell holder).

ETA: Aaahhh, I see you have a wincheter 88. I'd go with the Pacesetter 3-die set. It gives you the option to crimp using cannelure bullets in the lever action.

As for other stuff needed, I still use my Lee case trimmer after all these years. Calipers are a must have. Lee case lube works great.

 

[rcmodel]

I've READ that for lever guns you want to treat the brass like you would for a semi-auto; i.e., definitely full length resize.

+1
The Winchester 88 lever-action design is actually pretty much a Model 100 semi-auto with a lever instead of a gas system.

It has has very little cam power to close it on a tight round.
And it has no primary extraction function like a bolt-action if you get one stuck in the chamber.

So FL sizing is very necessary for it!

rc

 

[1KPerDay]

What happened with the spray lube?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=584941

 

[amlevin]

DON'T use hornady one shot (spray lube) for full length sizing rifle cases

I don't know about Hornady one shot but I just finished F/L sizing a whole bunch, maybe 400 or so, pieces of .308 brass using Dillon's Spray Lube. Not a single problem. No stuck cases, no lube dents, no cussing. Could we be hearing about some "operator error" perhaps.

As for a die set for .308 I bought the LEE 4-Die set. F/L Sizer, Collet Neck Sizer, Seater, and Factory Crimp Die. Got all bases covered. F/L size all brass that's new to me. Neck size the next 4-5 times. As or the Factory Crimp Die, it was included in the set and this way I don't have to pay an inflated price to buy it as a stand alone if I need it.

 

[Fire_Moose]

So here is the 308 die I just got. Lee deluxe+



Unfortunately, it didn't come with instructions.....or the shell holder.

Appears to be FL sizer, collet neck sizer, something, bullet seater. I don't know what that third one is, and doesn't seem to come apart. I'm about to give em a good cleaning maybe ill figure it out.



Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[thump_rrr]

The 3rd one is the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

HERE is the link to all Lee instructions.
Be sure to disassemble and clean all dies prior to use.
I use either Hornady gun cleaner and dry lube or brake cleaner for all of my dies.

 

[LiveLife]

Here's my Lee Deluxe Rifle die set. On the left is the decapping/full-length resizing die marked "Lee-308-AI", in the center is the bullet seating die marked "Lee-308 Win-KO", on the right is the collet neck sizer die marked "Lee-308 Win-GO". The fourth die shown in your hand is the FCD die.

The tapered decapping pin goes with the full-length sizing die on the left (Lee-308-AI) and the straight pin goes with the collet neck sizer die on the right (Lee-308 Win-GO). Looking at your picture, you got two spare pins.

 

[blarby]

Wow, this thread has zombie status

Just out of curiosity, where arre you guys buyng all these lee die sets that work ?

FWIW : BDS, I know you like precision tools... you gotta try the RCBS comp seater... its really amazing stuff. Especially during the dev process of a new bullet/load combo, its really a lifesaver, I've never used something so easy.

 

[LiveLife]

Only if I could find the replacement .308 rifle. Now I am regretting having sold my rifle ... before the panic price increase! :banghead:

Oh well, I will keep shooting my AR until then and work on building a .300 BLK upper.

Yes, I would definitely look into RCBS comp seater ... <giving wife the dirty look while clutching the Bushmaster/HBAR>

 

[blarby]

At least you can keep buildin !

Until the insurance picks up, with all this sequester talk....funds are froze until they figure it out :<

 

[Delmar]

Cant make a scientific study out of one particular experience, but Ive been loading for 308 Winchesters for over 20 years, and have the 3 die Lee set as well as a 2 die Redding set.

Just for a giggle, and to see if the Lee claim of assembling superior ammo was an idle boast, I full length resized, trimmed and loaded 50 rounds with each die set, fully expecting the Redding to whup the Lee set like a bad step child.

In my particular situation, I stand corrected. According to the readings I get off my RCBS case master, the Lee had 50% less wobble in the neck and tip of the bullet than what the Redding reloads showed. Both were pressed in a Rockchucker II press, so it took any variation I might have seen in a progressive or turret press.

Call me convinced....

 

[HJ857]

It's easy to find vids of the Lee Collet neck sizing die on YouTube. It's very much worth a look. Even if you have to FL size, you can still run your cases through the Collet die to take advantage of it. Sometimes it seems like folks think you have to use one or the other.

For example, I occasionally use mixed range pick up brass that I FL size, tumble and trim. But I run them through the Collet die before loading them. Works great.

 

[Fire_Moose]

Thanks thump and beds. FCD eh? Doubt i'll use it but good to know. Figure I got a deal for this set, <$40 no shell holder but extra pins!

Wow, this thread has zombie status

Really? Its not even 2 years old

Just out of curiosity, where arre you guys buyng all these lee die sets that work ?.

Lee basher huh? I don't get this they make very good products. Seems people are just happier paying 2-3times as much for little difference. If you look around you'll see the Lee seaters are hard to beat, lots of people LOVE the FCD..but I digress Lee will continue to get my money for the forseeable future.




Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[blarby]

Lee basher huh?

Not exactly bashing... I just seem to have an unbelievable run of bad luck with lee dies.

It's usually one of the three or four in a set. Last one was 1 of 2. F' that noise from now on.

I do own a red press, and some red sizers.....

 

[thump_rrr]

I guess I've had really good luck with mine.
100yds (3) 5 shot groups and (1) 3 shot group