Who loves their Dillon rifle dies??

[762NATO]

In considering which dies to purchase for .308, I was going to go with the Forster 2-die set. But they don't offer a 3rd taper crimp die. I want the option to crimp or not to crimp and would prefer to do it in separate steps, so combo seater/crimp dies won't work for me. Looking thru the Midway catalog, I was having trouble finding a crimp-only for .308. Went to the Dillon site and they have a crimp-only in .308, which I will probably purchase.

But now that I see that the Dillon 3-die rifle set is $65, so I'm tempted to forgo the Forster in favor of this, though I was kinda set on the Forster. The difference in getting the 3-die set vs. the 2-die plus the Dillon crimp is $45. But I've read so many good things about the Forster dies and not much pulls up for the Dillons...

Sorry I ramble so...

 

[Linear Thinker]

The answer depends on what kind of shooting you do. Are you loading for your belt-fed, or the NRA HP 600 yard matches, or for Palma style shooting at 900+ yards? Or perhaps hunting loads?

My 2¢, based on personal biases, suppositions, prejudices and 30 years of reloading experience both commercial and hobby:

Dillon dies are perfect for high volume reloading. The die throats are wide, and will catch the brass in a high-speed progressive press. The ammo will be just fine, but not precise for competition. I prefer carbide Dillon dies for 308 and 223 when I need to load in volume.

Forster dies are better for target shooting. I use both Forster and Redding seating dies for long-range work.

I don't crimp the bolt rifle loads. The neck tension on the bullet is adequate.
I use Lee FCD for semi-auto loads.

LT

 

[jmorris]

I like Dillon’s rifle dies. They have the best built in stuck case removal and you can get .223 and .308 in carbide. With the right case prep and components (and rifle) they will make sub moa ammo. If you are bench rest shooting you won’t be using a progressive or “normal” dies.

 

[loadedround]

I use Dillon's 223 and 308 rifle dies,While I can't say that I love them(save that for my dog), I will say I'm pleased with them. I use Redding dies for my other rifles and I'm please with them also.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Get the Forster die set, and if you need to crimp separately, get a Lee rifle FCD (collet crimp) die.

Andy

 

[atblis]

I have LEE, RCBS, Redding, and Lyman dies. They all work great.

 

[762NATO]

Get the Forster die set, and if you need to crimp separately, get a Lee rifle FCD (collet crimp) die.

Andy

Why do you prefer the Lee FCD over the Dillon taper crimp die? I don't like the idea that the FCD creates a cannelure on the bullet. I'd only be crimping bullets that already had a cannelure anyway.

 

[HOWARD J]

I had a Lee Factory Crimp Die for 7.62 x 39. I was using a bullet with a cannelure---this die will put a cannelure in your cartridge case --what good is that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think your cases will last very long that way.
I have one for a .380--it works OK b/cause it is only a taper crimp !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Walkalong]

If you want to crimp, and want to do it separately, any brand crimp die will do it.

I don't have any Dillon rifle dies, but do have a couple pistol dies, and the quality is very good. I am a Redding and Forster fan for rifle dies though.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

762nato,

The FCD will not create a cannelure if you do not crimp too tight. It is adjustable. Even without creating a cannelure, it can crimp tighter than a taper crimp die.


Andy

 

[HOWARD J]

BigJakeJ1s

If you are using FCD for a roll crimp you will cannelure your case ---I played with that thing & only damaged 762 X 39 cases trying to crimp into a cannelure.
The rifle die is too much trouble---why drive yourself crazy & wreck cases !!!!!!~!~!!
Also: I called Lee & they told me that what I was using the die for--
would mark the cases----I was thinking they work on some but not on all----so I gave them up for rifle cases & use them only on certain handgun cases !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 380 works great...........

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The rifle FCD does not do a roll crimp. It doesn't do a taper crimp either, but it is probably closer to that when set for a light crimp.

If set for a heavy crimp, it will compress the top mm or so of the neck in a band, but it does not turn the mouth lip inward like a roll crimp. If that band lines up with the cannelure on the bullet, then it will settle into that cannelure just fine. If it does not line up with a cannelure on the bullet, then (when set for a heavy crimp) it will compress the neck and the bullet underneath that compressed band, creating a cannelure of sorts.

It works great for me.

I just wish Lee made their FCDs for straight wall pistol cartridges the same way (with collets instead of carbide post sizing rings).

Andy

 

[lgbloader]

Call me kooky, call me wacky but I bought the Dillong 223 Carbide Sizer die thinking "cool, gotta have it...gotta have it..." This die is a good die.

Not my favorite die but a good die is a good die.

If you are bench rest shooting you won’t be using a progressive or “normal” dies.

Finally got around to getting some Wilson Hand dies and a Hart Arbor press. Talk about wow...

Getting a good bench rest rifle in 6mm is looking better and better - (okay one in 6mm PPC AND one in 6mmBR.)

LGB