Which RCBS 308 reloading die set

[JDay]

I'd just go with Dillon. You can adjust and take them apart without using two wrenches and they're better quality IMHO. You also get an extra case neck expander with them.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/24494/catid/4/Dillon_Rifle_Dies__Three_Die_Sets_

http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/24498/catid/4/Dillon_Carbide_Rifle_Dies__Individual___Three_Die_Sets_

[HUTCH 7.62]

Please youtube this.


My reccos is that you get an RCBS X-DIE set AND a JRRC or RCS OR Lee Classic CAST press.

Get the RCBS X-Dies- Full Length Sizer NON Small Base and decent single stage press.

AND RTFM for the X-Die setup...

why not a small base everyone seems to like the small base

Don't worry I'll soon be getting a dillion press

[bsumoba]

why not a small base everyone seems to like the small base

Don't worry I'll soon be getting a dillion press

its really based on your rifle. my JP barrel was chambered to min specs and like i said, a regular full length sizer die did not chamber reliably in my gas gun 308.

a small base would just eliminate that variable and with you using a hand press, you dont want to have to resizr twice! On the other hand, a hand press with a small base die and say...LC brass......i dont envy you the drawback to a small base die is that the brass is "worked" more, meaning you will theoretically get less brass life. choose your poison. i sold off my full length die thankfully so im not sitting on extra dies.

[koehn,jim]

I use the RCBS small base x-dies and don't worry about trimming. If you are using in an M1a consider military grade primers as well.

[bigedp51]

Just want to clear up some bad information, military semi-auto and civilian semi-auto and pump rifles have "LARGER" diameter chambers. This is because these type rifle do not have the chambering force that a "manually" operated bolt action rifle does. If you look below you will see that a .308/7.62 M1A or AR type rifle will have a chamber .0025 "LARGER" in diameter than "standard" civilian SAAMI chambers.



I have both small base dies and standard dies for .308/7.62 and .223/5.56 semi-auto rifles. When I buy once fired brass I use the small base die to return the case to minimum dimensions. Thereafter I use the standard die to make the cases last longer with practice ammunition. My small base dies only make the base of the case .0005 to .001 smaller in diameter "BUT" they will size further down the case at the base.

For 100% reliability use small base dies (end of the world, self defence, zombie attacks, etc) "BUT" it "may" shorten your case life depending on the type and make of brass.

Reloading dies come in various sizes for different applications and the rifles they are used in and I have two AR15 rifles and a bolt action .223 rifle. (and the bolt action has the smaller diameter and "tighter" chamber)

[Jasonaspears]

No interest in LEE dies? I have both and prefer the LEE

[maxx03]

I use RCBS 308 FL die for M1A and AR 10 with no problems.

[Pauliedad]

I had a few FTF on the .308 semi and although I realize there may be issues elsewhere for that, I thought I'd give the RCBS small base die(yes, full length)
a try. Saw this thread and a couple others out in internetland.

So today it shows up and I give it a try. Here's my report.

1. needs more lube than my Dillon full length resizer.Got first case stuck.

2. after resizing a few and comparing, all the dimensions are the same.

I got the impression the base should be slightly smaller. Am I missing something here?

If this is normal, I'm at a loss as to why I bought the RCBS die.

Thanks in advance for any insight y'all can add.

-Paul

[mark501w]

I had a issue with handling my cases a lot before sizing . Decapping cutting out crimps , cutting depth of pocket, flash holes ect. The cases were tight in my bolt gun. Relubeing & sizing took care of that. They were dragging during sizing & I believe it affected sizing dimensions. Usually S/B sizing with Lee lube & a pad produces butter smooth chambering

[TruWarierQB]

GEt the redding compitition dies.

[Pauliedad]

So after starting a seperate thread in search of info I was informed and since confirmed that my Dillon carbide full length resizing dies are "small base"
The few times I've strayed from Dillon I've come to understand the price differences.
I have a redding comp seating die and the ease of adjustment and consistency is outstanding.

[stilly]

why not a small base everyone seems to like the small base

Don't worry I'll soon be getting a dillion press

Because all the old farts on all the other websites (The high road, ARF, etc) say that you do not need SB dies if you are doing it correctly in the first place. I am simply parroting that. That SEEMS to be a theme that keeps coming up in forums when it comes to choosing dies for semi auto rifles.

I have purchased the RCBS FL X-dies for my .223 and so far I have done over 600 rounds and SO far at least 300 seem to fit just fine. (I aint finished the other 300 yet).

You poor thing- being bitten by the blue flue is a very costly thing. Hopefully you will recover from that quickly.

BUT, I would still look into getting a Lee Classic CAST press to do the resizing on. You can go with RCBS and all too, Heck, I have a JRRC that I use, but I bought it about 4 years ago and it was only $55.00 out the door at Bullseye Sport (before I worked there). IT is good to have mules like those on hand to do things like this.

.308 on a hand press- yes, I WANT to see if this is possible. I had read NOTHING LARGER THAN .45 ACP on a HAND PRESS.

I think you are in for a challenge if you have not yet done a .308 on a hand press. Unless you are a terminator of some sorts I am doubtful that you will get very far with resizing .308 on a hand press...

[knucklehead0202]

normally use lee dies for everything. when I was buying for the .308 they were not available so I got Hornady CGND dies and they work AWESOME! I'm loading for a FAL and they work just fine so I wouldn't get real wrapped up in buying some mega-dollar fancyass die set because somebody told you it was needed.

[Pauliedad]

I like saving a buck as much as anybody but with the exception of Redding, every time I've strayed from Dillon, the perceived friction is noticeably higher. I have Lee 9mm, RCBS 30-30, and a couple others I can't remember. Now they get the job done, no question but as my experience has grown I just want things to run without drama.

[HUTCH 7.62]

.308 on a hand press- yes, I WANT to see if this is possible. I had read NOTHING LARGER THAN .45 ACP on a HAND PRESS.

I think you are in for a challenge if you have not yet done a .308 on a hand press. Unless you are a terminator of some sorts I am doubtful that you will get very far with resizing .308 on a hand press...

I have done 5.56 on it no problems.