.308 Die Set

[Donny1]

Asking for a friend, no really.

A good friend just acquired a .308 bolt rifle and is asking me about loading some range ammo. I'm just interested in loading practice ammo for him so I'm looking to get a decent, but not anything for "match" ammo die set. This is NOT a high end rifle and he is NOT a competition shooter, possibly a hunter in the future but I doubt it. I'm seeing RCBS 2 die set with no shell holder and the Lee 3 die set with it. Any recommendations, or what to stay away from? Also are shell holders really universal?

I've loaded a lot of pistol but I'm somewhat of a novice at rifle cartridges, only loading .223 right now. I'm just getting to the point of understanding headspacing bottleneck cartridges, using a comparator, etc. As before when I started .223, lot's of reading and watching videos going on. And I must say all the difference of opinion on FL vs Neck sizing is quite a debate but far ahead of me on the learning curve as I have only done ammo for AR's. It always gets my mind working to start loading a new caliber.

Also curious about who people follow on YouTube on reloading techniques. I've been very interested in the information from Eric Cortina and the Panhandle Precision channels.

As always, all help and advise appreciated.

[tabascoz28]

I have been using lee full length size set for 20 years. Does the job and comes with the shellholder. In the lee it works with the 45acp holder too, number 2.

I also have an expensive adjustable seater for those accurate rounds that seats with the ogive.

For me with neck sizing, I found it more and more difficult to lift the bolt after firing, then you have to FL size again. Then you'll have a batch you have to fire form again.

[TomReloaded]

The lee dies have been excellent for me. They just plainly make problem free, accurate ammo. They'll duplicate the performance from the best off the shelf ammo.

For what you're describing, I would seek out the lee 3 die set.

[Donny1]

I have been using lee full length size set for 20 years. Does the job and comes with the shellholder. In the lee it works with the 45acp holder too, number 2.

I also have an expensive adjustable seater for those accurate rounds that seats with the ogive.

For me with neck sizing, I found it more and more difficult to lift the bolt after firing, then you have to FL size again. Then you'll have a batch you have to fire form again.

Thank You, perfect, I have the 45acp set.

[Donny1]

For a bolt gun I won't be crimping, correct?

If that's true then I can get the 2 die set. I was reading everything on Lee's website and there is no mention of the basic RGB dies and the Pacesetter dies being any different in quality, ie, the same dies. But it does not say one way or the other.

[Dirtlaw]

Asking for a friend, no really.

A good friend just acquired a .308 bolt rifle and is asking me about loading some range ammo. I'm just interested in loading practice ammo for him so I'm looking to get a decent, but not anything for "match" ammo die set. This is NOT a high end rifle and he is NOT a competition shooter, possibly a hunter in the future but I doubt it. I'm seeing RCBS 2 die set with no shell holder and the Lee 3 die set with it. Any recommendations, or what to stay away from? Also are shell holders really universal?

I've loaded a lot of pistol but I'm somewhat of a novice at rifle cartridges, only loading .223 right now. I'm just getting to the point of understanding headspacing bottleneck cartridges, using a comparator, etc. As before when I started .223, lot's of reading and watching videos going on. And I must say all the difference of opinion on FL vs Neck sizing is quite a debate but far ahead of me on the learning curve as I have only done ammo for AR's. It always gets my mind working to start loading a new caliber.

Also curious about who people follow on YouTube on reloading techniques. I've been very interested in the information from Eric Cortina and the Panhandle Precision channels.

As always, all help and advise appreciated.

Neck sizing is useful when you are shooting the round in the same rifle because it minimizes the amount of brass you are reforming -- so less stress on the case and therefore a longer useful life. But if you are going to shoot the round in a variety of rifles you resize the whole enchilada so there are no problems with fitting the particular chamber you happen to choose. So that is part of your decision tree ... am I shooting this in one particular rifle or am I shooting this in whatever suits my fancy for the day?


I've not done a personal study, but I believe that shell holders are within tolerance from each manufacturer. That said, I also believe that best practice is to rely on a single shell holder as your "master" for a particular round. In reloading consistency is king. Also note that there are sets of shell holder sets that allow you to make adjustments in thousandths of an inch. They are useful in working up the ideal load, but likely beyond your needs.


In reloading the fundamental datum point is the base of the round because 95% of everything you do is measured from the shell holder to the die. The other part of the equation ... bullet seating is chamber specific.


In summary, some of your measurements are based on standards, but the more advanced you get the more you focus on the particular rifle chamber that will be firing the round.

[tabascoz28]

For a bolt gun I won't be crimping, correct?

If that's true then I can get the 2 die set. I was reading everything on Lee's website and there is no mention of the basic RGB dies and the Pacesetter dies being any different in quality, ie, the same dies. But it does not say one way or the other.

Depends, one day you may want to build an LR308/AR10, then it will need crimping. But then maybe pick up a crimper by itself later...

[sigstroker]

The Lee factory crimper is fantastic. Amazing that something so cheap is the best you can get at any price.

[trailblazer87]

If you think you will use it in a precision semi auto get the small base die set, they have tighter chambers than most rifles, a lesson I am learning now.

[Divernhunter]

I prefer RCBS dies over lee. I do not crimp any of my rifle rounds with the exception of my 45-70 and that is because I bell the case mouths.

[bigbossman]

Between the two, I'd buy whichever one costs less. Both will serve you well.

[bazineta]

In my opinion, the handgun sets have a lot of differentiation, and more money definitely gets you a better product there, e.g., once you've used a Redding dual-ring carbide sizing die, you just don't want to use anything else afterward.

Rifle, not so much. You've got a lot of dies made by a lot of manufacturers that are pretty decent. That is, the better ones are indeed better, but not by such a huge margin until you get into things like the Whidden click-adjustable dies, and to my thinking just about any set can produce good results.

However, once you're dealing with bottlenecked rifle cases and headspace becomes important, I think where you want to look at spending money is on measurement. To me, that's where the results are. So, I'd pick a die set that pleases you in terms of what it provides, but plan on getting the tools that'll let you know how that set is performing and how to adjust it.

For example, I'd recommend a good set of calipers (don't be afraid to spend money on calipers; they're absolutely key), a Whidden shoulder bump gauge that attaches to them, and an LE Wilson case gauge. With those, you've got confidence in what you're producing. As you progress, a set of the Redding competition shell holders is also a pretty nice add; they're a lot easier to use than dealing with the coarse threads on a die when you're trying to get the shoulder bump just so.

[Donny1]

What is the importance of the case gauge if you are FL sizing, bumping the shoulder to a spec and ensuring the OAL of the case is within spec. Is it more about checking the case head is not deformed in some way?

Also it seems the difference in the LEE vs RCBS 2 die sets is about $10. Is the RCBS set better because a $10 ($30 vs $40 shipped, before tax) is not an issue.

[bazineta]

What is the importance of the case gauge if you are FL sizing, bumping the shoulder to a spec and ensuring the OAL of the case is within spec. Is it more about checking the case head is not deformed in some way?

It'll do all those things, and more. It's a very handy gauge to have.

[RNE228]

Lots of good die sets out there from the major manufacturers.

FWIW, I don't reload for anyone, nor use others reloads. Have helped a few friends learn using my setup, but didn't load for them.

Asking for a friend, no really.

A good friend just acquired a .308 bolt rifle and is asking me about loading some range ammo. I'm just interested in loading practice ammo for him so