Best dies for .308 Match loading.

[gushulak]

Wondering what guys are using for precision loading .308WIN. I've had good luck using regular RCBS and Dillon dies but was wanting to try some of the higher end dies on the market. Please let me know the pros and cons of the die systems your working with.

I'm specifically working with 175gr. SMK, although I have used most types of match bullets on the market.

I use Winchester or Lapua cases, Fed 210M primers and Varget powder.

Thanks.

 

[RePete]

I'm using Bonanza (now Forster) Benchrest Dies.

 

[92FS Inox]

Forster dies (ULtra seater)
Also have new bump (bushing style) dies.

 

[sunray]

Meticulous techniques are far more important than the dies used. Regular RCBS dies have worked just fine for me for eons. They did for everybody long before there was such a thing as 'high end' dies too.

 

[maynard]

Redding competition neck die and Competition seater. I also have a FL Redding S Type die and a redding body die.

 

[ben hunchak]

i use a Redding Neck size set for my .308, i also turn case necks, for testing cast bullets. Cases are weight separated, trimed, sized, deburred, then turned, some of this may seem unnecessary with loads that produce 24000 c.u.p., but it's worth it to see the groups shrink.

 

[mpwolf]

This can be very simple. A redding body die, lee collet, and a good seater- Redding or forster/bonanza would be my choice. I set the body die to size the cases just enough to ensure easy chambering every time. I do this every time I load the case. Some will say I'm over working the brass. Those people didn't read the bit about how little I'm pushing the brass back. Then I use run the brass through the collet die. Lower the ram on the press, spin the case a quarter turn, size again. Prime and charge the case, seat a 175 smk, and go shoot. You can spend a lot more on dies, but this is working so well for me that I've left my Redding S die on the shelf.

 

[acrashb]

Redding or Forster. More concentric and better ease-of-use features (in the 'competition' sets). Assuming you have a bolt gun, then you use the neck-size-only die sets with bushings to get just the right grip (about .002-.003") without over-working the brass - no more expander.

 

[gushulak]

Redding or Forster. More concentric and better ease-of-use features (in the 'competition' sets). Assuming you have a bolt gun, then you use the neck-size-only die sets with bushings to get just the right grip (about .002-.003") without over-working the brass - no more expander.

Thanks for all the replys guys! Keep the coming.

I usually neck size my brass and am looking for dies with good micrometer adjustments for sizing and seating. Sounds like my hunch....Redding seems like the winner?

 

[acrashb]

Redding Dies.

I find the micrometer helpful because it's easy to dial in and out to try new things. If you pick a load and keep it for years, then you don't need it.

 

[92FS Inox]

Redding Dies.

I find the micrometer helpful because it's easy to dial in and out to try new things. If you pick a load and keep it for years, then you don't need it.

Forster Ultra-seater comes with the micrometer - better value for the $$$ then the Redding

 

[roberti11]

Forster FL die, Forster Ultramicrometer Seater, Forster Bushing bump die.

Best value for your $, IMHO

 

[PeterPan]

I use Redding Competition dies for sizing, sometimes body die and for seating Wilson seater.
Forester is a good sie system too, and I like new Hornady as well.

 

[Boomer]

You might consider having a gunsmith make up a custom sizing die. The idea is to make the die mirror your specific chamber dimensions, minimizing the amount of working on the brass, with the addition of a built in shoulder set back, say .002". The die resizes like a neck sizing die, but because it bumps the shoulder back each time, you should never experience difficult bolt closing.