New Reloader (dies and sets questions)

[JNA]

Hello All,

I learned how to do basic reloads this past weekend and am slowly venturing out into the world of reloading. It will be a bit of time until I own all of the parts that I would like to, however I did want to ask which dies would be the best to purchase (currently purchased ABCs of reloading). I am currently looking at reloading .223, .303 British, .308Win/7.62x51 Precision Rifle, 7.62x54R and 8mm mauser. Currently the first one I am planning on getting the 8mm mauser first as that is the only set I have all the parts for minus reloading set. Any help is as always appreciated even if it is a direction to a thread that I may have missed in my original search of forum.

 

[LUTNIT]

There is as much opinion as science in which brand of dies to buy. For value for dollar I prefer RCBS but do have quite a few Lee sets that serve me well. I also have two Hornady sets (308 and 8x57) that I've not had any issues with. For the precision rifle you may want to look into precision dies from Redding or Forster so maybe hold off on those for a little while.

At a minimum you'll need a full length sizing die and a bullet seat and crimp die. Those two come standard in a set from most manufacturers. I also like neck sizing dies from Lee as they really extend case life and don't require any lube. They leave marks on the necks that some people don't like but I've never noticed anything as a result of them. I also prefer to crimp as a separate step as I find it a lot easier to control that way and use Lee factory crimp dies for a lot of cartridges. Some people have had terrible luck with them not working but I guess I'm just lucky. Generally Lee products are significantly less expensive but there are more complaints about bad QC than any other brand. My only bad experience with them was an 8x57 full length die that had the lube escape hole too far down the shoulder and I think had a burr inside the die that left gouges which caused splits. I've shot sub 1/2 MoA groups using all Lee products so they aren't necessarily bad, just have a higher rate of lemons.

If reloading for 303 British there are a lot of oddities with old surplus rifles you may want to read up on. You can look up any number of discussions about Lee Enfield head space and "the o-ring trick" for fireforming cases. It is usually advisable to neck size only if loading for a surplus 303B rifle. I also never go to the range with any of my 303's without a broken case extractor. I got mine on eBay for $10. If you have a case head separation (the bottom 1/2" or so of the case comes out but most of the body and neck are left stuck in the chamber) it can end your shooting session on the spot if you can't knock the stuck case out easily.