Need some advice on .303 British Dies

Canuck44

Canuck44

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I will be loading the .303 British cartridge on my Dillon 550. For those of you who reload thisi cartridge I would be interested in hearing your comments regarding the best set of dies to buy. I will be shooting lead mostly. Like the Lee set with the FCD and there new set allows for fairly easy neck resizing only. Thoughts? Dillon dies work well with lead - ease of cleaning.

Take care

Bob
 
Don't know about using progressive press with this type of cartridge...ie: proper resizing/lubing and removing lube from cases/ using fillers for light powder charges under cast bullets/flaring case mouth to except cast bullets/ indexing cast bullets for consistant seating /alignment/ 2 step crimping to elim. crushing shoulder of case....it is these steps i use to reload precision cast bullet loads that have prevented me from going with a progressive press in the past.
 
I am using the Lee set with the FCD & like them a lot. I had Dillon dies for the .303 but could not get the crimp to work properly, it kept on pushing the shoulder down. I do agree that the Dillon dies are very easy to keep clean. I always full length resize so I can't give you any info on neck sizing only, I've never done it. You will likely find that if you will be loading cast, you will need an expander die to flare the case mouth a tad. I tried to seat cast without one & it does shave the lead a bit. Lee makes a universal case expander die & is reasonably priced. I just bought one recently & wouldn't want to be without it.
 
I reload .303 on a 550. First I clean , then deprime/neck size the brass with a Lee collet die as a separate operation. The first station on the 550 has the Lyman M die 31R. This was when I used bullets sized .313 for a No.5. Now I will cast .316 bullets for a Longbranch and may need a bigger M die. I use the Lee dead length bullet seater for seating and Lee factory crimp die at the last station.

I've never had trouble chambering these rounds so far.
 
Keep in mind that because of the web design in the cartridge case, .303 might give you up to 5 reloads per cartridge case. A broken case extractor is a must for .303 reloaders.
 
Garand said:
Keep in mind that because of the web design in the cartridge case, .303 might give you up to 5 reloads per cartridge case. A broken case extractor is a must for .303 reloaders.
Click to expand...

That might be true, if your rifle has atrocious headspace, or if you load the crap out of it.
However, I get closer to twenty loads out of mine, in fact, I no longer count the number of reloads. The brass lasts quite well at reasonable power levels.
Since we're talking lead bullets here, I think his case life will be substantial.

I have NEVER broken a case in the die with a 303. If you have, I suggest you change case lube, inspect your cases before sizing, and back off on the power.

The best authority on the 303 british is Steve Regwell at 303british.com IMO
 
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Lee dies work great.

As for the above caveats, x2

If you use light loads, length trim, and only size just enough of the neck to hold the bullet you will have alot less troubles with your brass.

And of course, this is using brass that is fire formed to your chamber, not virgin brass, or some one else's leavings.

You will be happy I think, with the acuracy you get out of your .303. I was.sss
 
Lee collett dies are great on the 303, greatly improves case life and simple to use with no messy lube. Gotta be great on your progressive.
 
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