neck vs full vs competition RCBS dies

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barnacle

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I'm off to the big city and would like to get some .308 dies for my new-to-me used RCBS press. :D

I've noticed that some dies are full length resize where as others are just neck. What's the difference and what are the preferences of board members?

Are neck sizers for fireformed brass only? If I buy factory brass does that mean I still need to full length size them?

Are the Competition dies work the extra money?
Thank you.
 
For use in a sporting rifle I don't think you would see enough of an improvement in accuracy using the competition dies to justify their extra cost.

Neck sizing dies are for use on brass fired in your rifle only. I also find them usefull to clean up the necks of new brass that have been beat up in shipping.

Once again it is questionable if the use of neck sizing dies will show any accuracy gains in a typical sporting rifle. They do tend to allow more loads per case than full-length sizing but in truth 308 brass is fairly inexpensive to begin with. Also neck-sized cases should only be used in a bolt action rifle and if you plan on using them for hunting make sure you run each and every one through your rifle before your hunting trip.

If it was me I would buy a set of full-length sizing dies to begin with and then add a neck-sizer later if you decide you want to try one.
 
Thanks for your interest 'Boo.

I've got a bolt action Tikka Master Sporter. It's not a light sporting rifle and I hope I can improve upon the accuracy I've achieved so far. I've only got the one .308.
 
I have the same rifle, what kind of accuracy are you getting? What are you shooting, bullet, powder etc.? Those rifles are tackdrivers usually! They warrant good reloading dies.IMO
bigbull
 
Hiya Bigbull,
To be honest I'm just starting into handloading. I've been told to start with Hornady 168 grain BTSP (match) bullets or AMAX's with IMR-4895.

As for accuracy I can often place shots in a ragged mess from 100 yards but I don't believe I've been to the range enough to see what it is truly capable of. Family time gets priority... :cry: :wink:

How about your results? Do you have a neck vs full die preference?
 
I know what you mean about family time! The rifle is capable of very fine accuracy placing your shots into a ragged mess is nothing to sneer at. The reccomendation for 168's and 4895 is a good one. The bullets I prefer are the Sierra's but it doesn't mean the rifle won't like the Hornady's or the 4895. My rifle likes the AA2520 best but it has given good results with others but not as good as the AA. The reloading dies are important and I reccomend Bonanza/Forester as a best buy for quality loads second choice is Redding only because of their higher price they are as good as Forster. The neck sizer is important and will be used often, the inline seater is fantastic and well made. Lesser dies will work but not as well if accuracy is your goal, for the difference in price buy them up front and don't look back. The 308 is so easy to load for since everything has been tried in it that the info. out there is overwhelming but the old standby loads always keep coming up. IMR4895, W748, 3031, 4064, Varget etc are all good.
bigbull
 
As 'Boo pointed out, neck sizing dies are for brass that has already been shot from your rifle (fire formed). Full length dies are for brass you've picked up at the range and brand new brass. Which ever die you use, be sure to check and if necessary trim your brass as well.

As for preference, I tend to use the neck sizing die on my fire formed .223 casings because I reload so many of them (1000) at a time and not having to lube them is definately a bonus.

All other rifle casings (including my reloaded hunting rounds) I use a full length resizing die.

Some people only use full length resizing dies, and theirs nothing wrong with that either, just a bit more time consuming. Some say you get better accuracy using fireformed brass and neck resizing, which may or may not be true, but you will get longer life out of a casing if you neck resize instead of full length resize your fireformed brass.
 
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