.308 Die set recommendation please.

[MT1]

It's been 15 years since I last reloaded ammo and I'm going to be starting back up loading .308 for my Remington 5R. I have a Lyman Tmag turret press and just need a die set to go with it, problem is that I see so many options out there I would appreciate a suggestion as to what I should get and why. I see sets with only neck resizers, sets with body and neck resizers, micrometer adjustment, etc etc

I will be reusing my once shot Black Hills and PRVI brass along with Sierra 175 match bullets.


thanks

[Divernhunter]

If you are match shooting then Redding or RCBS competition type dies. If for general use, hunting or informal target shooting then RCBS or Hornady regular dies will due fine.

My 2 cents

[thmpr]

Please do not overlook Dillon. Their dies have produced accurate .223 and 308 results.

[MT1]

If you are match shooting then Redding or RCBS competition type dies. If for general use, hunting or informal target shooting then RCBS or Hornady regular dies will due fine.

My 2 cents

Well I don't actually compete, except for bragging rights with the other guys at the private range which goes to 1000 yards, so I can easily see a difference in round quality...

Will this do the deed?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/516640/rcbs-competition-2-die-set-308-winchester

[RugerNo1]

Those dies will work exceptionally well. I have a similar set for my 6.5x47mm.

[gunboat]

Just about any brand will do the job.
A simple two die full length sizing set still produces satisfactory ammo.
All else satisfies the ego.

[Thatguy80]

.308 Dies

I have using the RCBS dies for my M1A reloads and have thought them to be great dies for the average 308 loads.

I too recently purchased a 5r and looking to step up game. I have worked with the Redding type S dies with the neck bushings and will buy a set asap.

The neck dies makes it great so you dont work the brass too much and can get great results and consistent loads.

A buddy of mine is shooting .25 MOA with his 5R using those exact dies.

[problemchild]

I use a dillon carbide sizer floating, dillon trim die w/trimmer, M- Die, dillion decapper, Redding competition seater, dillon crimper in that order

[Rule .308]

I have always had really good results from the Redding competition seater dies.

[Divernhunter]

MT1 those would work very well for you.

[bruceflinch]

I think the 3 die set is a better investment. You have to have a F/L sizer & a Seater Die. The neck sizer is great for bolt guns.

[uscbigdawg]

The neck sizer is not just "for bolt guns". You can use it for a number of uses. That said, there are two schools of thought. Full length resize every time, or neck size from fired brass.

On my 308, I started load development from virgin brass and so to return the brass to as close as I can to virgin, I full length resize every time. I actually cam over on my FL size die. My dies for this are Redding FL Type S Competition Seating Dies. They have been flawless and are definitely very nice quality.

I'm a hardcore blue Kool-Aid drinker with 3 Dillon presses (2-RL1050's and a XL650) and while I've made some sick ammo with my progressives, I'll say that my Redding dies are what I use in the 308 bolt gun. I actually also use a Redding Competition Seating die on my 3-Gun loads in 223, but that's only because it's a simple adjustment when going between bullets on seating depth.

Hope that helps.

Rich

[Hoop]

A regular old set of dies off ebay will work fine.

[MT1]

The neck sizer is not just "for bolt guns". You can use it for a number of uses. That said, there are two schools of thought. Full length resize every time, or neck size from fired brass.

On my 308, I started load development from virgin brass and so to return the brass to as close as I can to virgin, I full length resize every time. I actually cam over on my FL size die. My dies for this are Redding FL Type S Competition Seating Dies. They have been flawless and are definitely very nice quality.

So what I have read is that because I will be using mixed brass from my bolt rifle and from my M1A I need to full length resize at least once until the brass has been cycled through the bolt gun, and then I can choose at that point to either continue full length resizing or just neck size for possibly better accuracy.

I'm reading reviews and the Redding stuff is more highly praised than the RCBS and it's not much extra cost.

This is what you are using?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/271533/redding-type-s-match-bushing-2-die-set-308-winchester

And I can add their neck sizer die if I want...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/428412/redding-type-s-bushing-neck-sizer-die-308-winchester

[uscbigdawg]

Just full length resize everything and don't worry about neck sizing. There's a point where you're chasing accuracy that's likely beyond the mechanical accuracy of either of your rifles of your shooting ability.

When you start getting serious and get rifles that are capable of groups in the teens, then maybe it's something to consider. Even then, I would still FL resize but then there's other things you can do to improve ammo performance from there.

Rich