What dies to use

[BigMak911]

Hi guys, I suppose this question may apply to all rifle reloading, but let's start with 308 Win. I was at Turner's yesterday and they happened to have an RCBS two die green box set for 308 Win so I picked it up. It has, as I take it, a full length resizing die with decapping pin, and a bullet seating die with crimp (not sure if it has crimp offhand)... I am loading for two different bolt guns. I have heard that with bolt guns, you want to keep the brass unique to what gun you use it in and only full length resize the first time and thenceforth only neck size since the remainder fire-forms to the specific chamber... Is that correct?

Also, what other die(s) (other than the possibly obvious neck sizing die unless I can somehow use the full length die to so neck sizing?) do I need to get from used cases to finished, good quality, reloaded ammo?

TIA

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[russt]

You don't have to keep it unique to gun. Just full length size them as per directions that came with die set and they will shoot fine. Keeping them separate, and neck sizing only is a good way to go, but if you are just getting started Keep it simple. I recommend getting the ABC's of reloading and read it cover to cover.

[huckberry668]

It's called 'fire formed' brass. each chamber produces a unique fire formed cases that won't fit any other guns properly. fire forming makes for more accurate ammo with match grade components and methods. the reason in short is that chamber glove fit ammo reducing deviations (headspace tolerance, better seal for consistent velocity & vibrations) when fired.

you will need to full length size after 2 to 5 neck sizings (depends on how hot you load them). the brass will stretch so shoulder needs to be pushed back down a few thousandths. good gauge is when you feel the bolt 'wipe' the brass when chambering it's time to FL size.

full length sizing die won't neck size brass of the same caliber. here is what i meant. I used to use a 308 sizing die to neck size my 30-06 brass because the 308 die is shorter than 30-06 so it won't size the body.

There are good ones out there but Lee neck sizing dies are great and much less expensive. You won't find other neck dies that will load more accurate ammo. the biggest benefit of Lee neck die is the mandrel the neck is sized around. it makes the neck ID all the same for more consistent neck tension without having to turn (shave metal from the neck) the necks. And you don't need different size bushings (such as Redding).

typical neck sizing dies are off the shelf no need to send brass in.

when to neck size? Rule of thumb - always full length size auto loading ammo.

[Bill Steele]

I generally agree with both russt and huck's posts above. I get over 5 neck sizings before I have to bump the shoulder on my Lapua brass in 308.

I agree the Lee Collet neck sizer is a great inexpensive option for neck sizing. My favorite (and most accurate) is with my Wilson hand dies, which is a bushing style neck sizer. I get .001" runout or less on my loaded rounds using my Wilson dies.

Good luck, have fun.

[BigMak911]

What do I use to bump the shoulder? And for loading the first time on once fired unprocessed brass, do I need any other dies beside the two that came in my kit? For pistol, I have 4 dies... 2 for rifle seems like I may be missing one or two.

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[Hallx7]

Mak... I've had great luck with my Lee dies for my 308. You'll definitely want the neck sizing die for the reasons everyone else has already mentioned.
FL size the first time and you should be able to neck size several times after that. If you are mixing brass between your two bolt guns you may need to FL size each time. For longer brass life and better accuracy you should keep brass separated by gun.
There are a few other things you may want to pick up for loading the 308 (case trimmer, hand primer and case prep tools). Not sure if you have these things already.
If I recall you're fairly close to me. If you want to try some things out before you buy stuff let me know and you can head down one day. Shoot me a PM

[Bill Steele]

What do I use to bump the shoulder? And for loading the first time on once fired unprocessed brass, do I need any other dies beside the two that came in my kit? For pistol, I have 4 dies... 2 for rifle seems like I may be missing one or two.

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You can use the F/L sizing die you got in that set for bumping (essentially F/L sizing with an eye on headspacing).

You don't expand the neck on a bottle neck rifle case (you chamfer the inside of the mouth), so no expander die. Your die will have a crimp in the seater, but just don't screw the die in so far it starts crimping, you won't need it.

So if you buy that Lee collet neck sizer, you will have the dies you need.

[knucklehead0202]

if you have OCD or shoot benchrest, or both, go to all the trouble with the neck sizing. if you just want to roll your own good ammo, full-length size and trim after a few firings. you'll know when they it because you'll start to have trouble chambering. use good brass and you'll get a lot of reloads out of them. i've got rem 6.5x55 cases that i run a stout load in with well over 10 reloads through them. attrition rate is very low. only had to retire a piece here or there starting to split. i also use the LEE factory crimp on them.