Lee deluxe die set?

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Nanook

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Anybody out there using these dies? I just picked up a .30-06 rifle and need dies. I saw Lee's Deluxe die set that has both full length resize and neck-size dies in it.

Most of my other dies are RCBS, along with one Dillon set. I use the Lee factory crimp dies on handguns and they work great.

Oh, and one more question while we're at it. Is it better to neck-size only on .30-06, or full size? The rifle will be used for deer hunting, not match shooting or anything like that. If it matters, it's a Remington 700BDL. Man, what a beautiful rifle, I'm more used to milsurp stuff and AR/AK/FNs. This is a thing of beauty, almost too nice to take out in the woods.

:p
 
Lee deuxe dies

I am currently using Lee deluxe dies in .222 and .22-250 calibers, and Lee Pacesetter dies in .30-06 and .375 H&H mag., with a Lee collet die added for the .'06.

My experience has been very good with both types of dies. Many veteran handloaders/hunters will recommend full-length re-sizing for hunting loads, and crimping as well. The possibility is real that necksizing only could result in difficulty in chambering a second or third shot, or that a cartridge slammed into the chamber could result in a bullet jammed into the throat and fail to eject properly, resulting in a ruined hunting trip.

Having said that, I will say I've never had that experience with neck-sized only cases in the .30-06. I've never crimped cases for that caliber and can't attribute that to any lost game (poor shooting might possibly do the job).
 
cdbeaver, thanks for the response. Good information about neck sizing. I went to the store today and checked out both RCBS and the Lee Deluxe set. I wound up buying the RCBS since most of the rest of my dies are RCBS and I thought I'd stay with them.
I had heard after posting from several other sources about neck vs. full length and they agreed with you. So the RCBS is the FL set, and I should break them in tomorrow. My shooting buddy just gave me 125 pieces of once-fired .30-06 Winchester brass to get me started with my new caliber. Thanks again.
 
in an aside: i always cycle all hunting loads through my whatever to insure they wil work later. really need a second shot and can't get it ? grrrrrrr. do the same with defensive loads. ya never know. factories can mess up too.

now, if i could find a way to insure the primer will pop without actually popping it.
 
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