Well, the Rockchucker Master Supreme kit came yesterday, along with the calipers I ordered to get started, but I'm still stuck on which dies to get to begin loading 6.5X55.
From what I've read, the critical part of accurate reloading is the neck expansion. If it's done wrong, the cases get off-center and also need to be trimmed more often. I'll be starting with Lapua brass, so I'd like to minimize die-induced distortion. Second, I'd like the bullet seated straight. While I'm not made of money, I'd just as soon pay up front for dies that will make me happy than to try to just get by with "good enough."
As to the makes, I think Redding dies are out. I have no way of specifying the right size of bushing - they assume you have a loaded round to measure and a micrometer to measure it with, and neither one of those assumptions is true.
Forster? All those benchrest guys must have a reason to choose them, but I don't have a feel for the "straight-line seating" techniques they use. Also, in my experience, things sold for specialty needs, like BR, usually have major drawbacks for people who don't specifically need to shoot "in the zeroes."
The Lee Collet dies have some good arguments, particularly the mandrell, but I don't understand the process. Doesn't the mandrell just limit how small the neck is sized? If the expander button is the real problem, how does the mandrell help?
As you can see, I don't understand a lot of this stuff, so I'd appreciate some facts as to how these things work. Thanks.
Jaywalker
From what I've read, the critical part of accurate reloading is the neck expansion. If it's done wrong, the cases get off-center and also need to be trimmed more often. I'll be starting with Lapua brass, so I'd like to minimize die-induced distortion. Second, I'd like the bullet seated straight. While I'm not made of money, I'd just as soon pay up front for dies that will make me happy than to try to just get by with "good enough."
As to the makes, I think Redding dies are out. I have no way of specifying the right size of bushing - they assume you have a loaded round to measure and a micrometer to measure it with, and neither one of those assumptions is true.
Forster? All those benchrest guys must have a reason to choose them, but I don't have a feel for the "straight-line seating" techniques they use. Also, in my experience, things sold for specialty needs, like BR, usually have major drawbacks for people who don't specifically need to shoot "in the zeroes."
The Lee Collet dies have some good arguments, particularly the mandrell, but I don't understand the process. Doesn't the mandrell just limit how small the neck is sized? If the expander button is the real problem, how does the mandrell help?
As you can see, I don't understand a lot of this stuff, so I'd appreciate some facts as to how these things work. Thanks.
Jaywalker
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