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Offline original

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dies for 308win
« on: February 22, 2012, 03:25:10 AM »
I am shopping around for dies to start reloading for my 308win.   I have a couple of the hornady dies and while I dont have all that much time with them I have had no problems.   I did see bad reviews on these dies for the 308 so I was thinking about a different brand.   I was leaning towards trying the redding dies so any pros and cons between the two would be a great help.  I will be loading for a handi if that helps.  Also is there any diffenence  between the federal and remington brass.  thanks again. 
  Oh I forgot to add that I have a single stage press but might want to load on the hornady LNP press in the future. 
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Offline parkergunshop

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2012, 04:01:30 AM »
Original,
I have just about all brands of dies except for Lees.     RCBS, Hornady, C&H, Lyman, Redding, Pacific, Bonanza, of the bunch, Redding is as good as anything else and better than most.   I bought 20 sets of Bonanza dies and spare parts when they discontinued their reloading line.
I would go with the Reddings, if I needed another set of dies.  The Lees are cheapos you get what you pay for to a large degree when buying reloading equipment.   I use  C&H and Redding presses both compound leverage types.  The Redding press works better with the long rounds like the .375 H&H, but as far as being rigid, the C&H no longer made, is the best.
Both Remington and Federal Brass is ok,  however Federal makes nickel brass for the .308 Winchester which I use, it is better quality and works better when reloading, the outer surface being nickel is slicker than standard brass.
 
 
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Offline swifty22

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2012, 11:44:30 AM »
I do like the tapered expander ball on the Hornady dies but I  like to leave the stem a little loose to let the expander ball self center when coming out so I don't use them much. As I need new dies I ALWAYS buy Redding. I read in Hanloader a few years ago that they are cut w/a 1 piece reamer (body and neck) but that other unmentioned ones are all reamed  body first then neck. Example all are originally 25-06 then neck reamed to 270-280-30-06 or 243 then 260-7/08/308/338 fed/358. Also get a Redding carbide expander ball kit which is loose on the stem and self centers anyway, especially for a 223 when loading a lot of ammo. I always buy Redding now-Muddy
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2012, 12:51:40 PM »
Hornady are my preferred dies for all my reloading. I prolly have about as many RCBS as Hornady but for the rounds I regularly load I'm replacing my RCBS dies with Hornady and all calibers to me I order Hornady. I also load on a Hornady press.
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2012, 02:06:31 AM »
Quote from: original on February 22, 2012, 03:25:10 AM
I am shopping around for dies to start reloading for my 308win.   I have a couple of the hornady dies and while I dont have all that much time with them I have had no problems.   I did see bad reviews on these dies for the 308 so I was thinking about a different brand.


If you aren't having problems with the Hornady dies keep using them and don't go to something else just because someone gave them bad reviews.


I have dies by Pacific, Hornady, Lee, RCBS and Redding.  Hornady dies are not my preferred ones; not because they are bad but because they all come in the HUGE size whether or hot the cartridge is large and the storage box is big and clunky; not good reasons I know.  I buy mostly Redding and RCBS dies currently in about equal numbers.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2012, 02:14:14 AM »
My first preference has been Redding for many years, I think they offer the best quality for the dollar. I definitely feel the polish on them is best.

That being said, you will likely find no difference comparing RCBS, Lyman, (current) Hornady dies. All are readily available and cheaper than the Reddings by a few bucks.

Best of luck,
CW
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Offline wncchester

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2012, 03:25:15 AM »
" I did see bad reviews on these (Hornady) dies for the 308 so I was thinking about a different brand."
 
None of our makers produce 'bad' dies (or presses), what drives experienced reloaders into different camps are small differences in prefered user features and external appearance, neither of which have any impact on the end goal of making quality ammo.    Most - if not all - of the "bad reviews" you see are due to noob mistakes and noobs sure don't limit themselves to Hornady's dies for that!  Hornady's aren't my personal preference but they are fine dies, use what you have with confidence.   
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Offline Uncle Harry

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2012, 07:29:36 AM »
I own Lee, RCBS, Dillon and Hornady dies. Personal favorite is Hornady because of their seating die design. Lee collet neck sizing dies are also tops for me.
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2012, 04:39:47 PM »
Quote from: Uncle Harry on February 23, 2012, 07:29:36 AM
I own Lee, RCBS, Dillon and Hornady dies. Personal favorite is Hornady because of their seating die design. Lee collet neck sizing dies are also tops for me.

+1 on the Lee Collet Dies.  I purchase a Lee Deluxe Rifle Die set for each bottle neck that has it available.  In my 7.5x55 Swiss I had to order the collet separate, but it still works great.  I only full size once every 3 reloads or when starting fresh brass.  ;)
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Offline wwjmbd

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2012, 06:42:01 PM »
Ive got Lyman, Rcbs, Lee and Redding on my reloading bench, I havent really had any issues with any of them yet. I dont load as many rounds as most reloaders but Ive been loading for about 8 years now.

The only advice I could give is that if I had it to do all over again I would take the time to find dies from the same manufacturer for all my rifles just to make it more straitforward switching between calibers and different brands of dies. They arent that much different but each manufacturer has their own quirks with their dies and when using the same brand it would just make it simpeler.

When I was buying dies I was just happy to find the ones I needed and it didnt matter the manufacturer because they were difficult to find in the first place.
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Offline Rock Home Isle

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2012, 04:57:58 AM »
Quote from: original on February 22, 2012, 03:25:10 AM
I am shopping around for dies to start reloading for my 308win.   I have a couple of the hornady dies and while I dont have all that much time with them I have had no problems.   I did see bad reviews on these dies for the 308 so I was thinking about a different brand.   I was leaning towards trying the redding dies so any pros and cons between the two would be a great help.  I will be loading for a handi if that helps.  Also is there any diffenence  between the federal and remington brass.  thanks again. 
  Oh I forgot to add that I have a single stage press but might want to load on the hornady LNP press in the future.

My .308 is a Remington 700 milspec bolt action. I reload using RCBS Competition Dies with a micro adjust bullet seater. this has been a very nice die set and my results have been impressive. I use an RCBS single stage press for my precision reloading.
 
My primary brass that I reload is Winchester. I start off with new brass when I'm separating brass into groups and preparing brass for the 1st time.
 
My 2nd choice is Federal Brass...I don't/won't use Remington Brass. Remington Brass has to many variations in case volumes within their manufacturing lot runs...Winchester has proven to be very consistant in their manufacturing and case volumes; while I have found that Federal Brass is between the two, but closer to Winchester in overall quality.
 
The premium brass like Norma and Lapua are just to expensive in my opinion, and I can create the same high quality case by carefully prepping a Winchester case.
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Offline yooper77

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2012, 05:56:19 AM »
Stick with your Hornady dies if that's what you perfer. The bad reviews are most likely a novice hand loader not understanding how to setup the Hornady dies.
 
I use mostly RCBS, but also some Hornady, Redding and Herter's dies and all perform flawlessly.

I use a RCBS Rock Chucker II and also my fathers old Herter's press which I bet weighs twice as much as my RCBS RC'r.

yooper77
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Offline Rock Home Isle

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2012, 04:15:45 AM »
That old Herters Press was such a great product.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2012, 04:40:00 AM »
I like Redding dies first then RCBS. Both will stand behind their products .
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Offline Larry Gibson

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2012, 05:32:28 AM »
RCBS X - die (standard base) for FL sizing, particularly if you have a gas, SS or lever gun, as you won't need to trim and case life is excellent.  Bonanza Benchrest NS dies with micrometer seater for NSing and seating.
 
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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #15 on: February 28, 2012, 07:24:54 AM »
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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #16 on: February 28, 2012, 09:21:38 AM »
I prefer Redding over the rest. If you check benchrest shooters, they use Redding, or custom dies, which are much more expensive than Redding. I can't shoot as good as those guys, but, it's nice knowing my equipment is on par with what they use. gypsyman
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Offline original

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #17 on: February 29, 2012, 07:51:41 PM »
thanks for all the replies.  After a lot of going back and fourth I went with the hornady dies and the neck sizing hornady
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: dies for 308win
« Reply #18 on: February 29, 2012, 11:41:24 PM »
Quote from: original on February 29, 2012, 07:51:41 PM
thanks for all the replies.  After a lot of going back and fourth I went with the hornady dies and the neck sizing hornady

I am sure they will work fine for ya!  ;)
 
Good luck with them!
 
CW
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