User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
FL, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 3:41:25 PM EST
[Last Edit: cavegeo]
I recently acquired an Aero Solus rifle in 308 as I have several semi-autos in 308 already.
I have been shooting FGMM and IMI match ammo, and I have purchased a Garmin Xero and have started compiling DOPE for my rifle. I currently reload for hunting and plinking and now wish to reload for my precision rifle. What Dies and process would you recommend. Currently I tumble my brass and trim then prime and reload. I currently only have a set of Lee Die both Full length and Neck for 308. I am thinking of acquiring either RCBS or Redding match dies. What does the hive recommend and what should the process be for precision ammo. Beside dies my biggest question is determining the best method for throwing a powder charge, what is the preferred method for precision rounds. |
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USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 3:58:59 PM EST
[#1]
Competition bushing dies from Redding or Forester.
Expanders are for the trash. |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 6:15:53 PM EST
[Last Edit: Urimaginaryfrnd]
[#2]
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 6:18:11 PM EST
[#3]
Will you be using it as a precision gun? What distances will you primarily shoot at?
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 6:26:33 PM EST
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By R3L04D: Will you be using it as a precision gun? What distances will you primarily shoot at? The range that I use goes out to 900 yards. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 6:28:51 PM EST
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Urimaginaryfrnd: Redding Trim length is also important https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101285306?pid=119117 I really am looking for die suggestions. |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 6:48:08 PM EST
[#6]
You can start with anything. As you progress you will have more experience and seek specialized loading equipment.
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Posted: 5/29/2024 9:18:36 PM EST
[Last Edit: Rob01]
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cavegeo: I already have a case trimmer but if I start doing large volume this would be a great addition. I really am looking for die suggestions. Yeah I wouldn’t use that trimmer as it only trims. Get the Giraud tri way version which trims, chamfers and deburrs. https://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-tri-way-trimmer.html As for dies, get a FL bushing die so you can adjust the neck tension. The Redding Type S work well. No need for the expensive one with micrometer. I also have a Hornady match with the bushing also and it works great too. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018049293?pid=869863 https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018253567?pid=135301 For a seater, the Forster BR Ultra micrometer if you just buy a bushing FL sizer by itself. https://www.forsterproducts.com/product/bench-rest-ultra-micrometer-seater-dies/ |
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Posted: 5/29/2024 10:02:19 PM EST
[#8]
@cavegeo
Redding or Forster are the gold standards. See IM. |
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USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 10:06:29 PM EST
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MemeWarfare: Competition bushing dies from Redding or Forester. Expanders are for the trash. This was I was going to say |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 10:36:05 PM EST
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rob01: Yeah I wouldn't use that trimmer as it only trims. Get the Giraud tri way version which trims, chamfers and deburrs. https://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-tri-way-trimmer.html As for dies, get a FL bushing die so you can adjust the neck tension. The Redding Type S work well. No need for the expensive one with micrometer. I also have a Hornady match with the bushing also and it works great too. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018049293?pid=869863 https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018253567?pid=135301 For a seater, the Forster BR Ultra micrometer if you just buy a bushing FL sizer by itself. https://www.forsterproducts.com/product/bench-rest-ultra-micrometer-seater-dies/ Thanks for all the suggestions, not having used a bushing type of Die before but they sound like what I need. Will look into the Giraud Tool. I currently have a RCBS trimmer that deburs but like I mentioned if I need to do more than a few at a time will invest into this type of trimmer. |
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Posted: 5/29/2024 11:33:10 PM EST
[#11]
I loaded for years with rcbs dies. As I got deeper into the precision world I started using Forester and my consistency improved. For my new build I am going to try, for the first time, a bushing die. I decided to go with a LE Wilson FL bushing die. We will see how that goes. For the seating die I also decided to try an LE Wilson inline seating die. Ordered everything including an K&M arbor press this week.
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Posted: 5/29/2024 11:39:12 PM EST
[#12]
I have the Forster set with the micrometer. I kinda doubt that the addition of the micrometer helps me make better ammo, but it is fun to mess with.
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USA
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Posted: 5/30/2024 6:49:12 AM EST
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SpeyRod: I loaded for years with rcbs dies. As I got deeper into the precision world I started using Forester and my consistency improved. For my new build I am going to try, for the first time, a bushing die. I decided to go with a LE Wilson FL bushing die. We will see how that goes. For the seating die I also decided to try an LE Wilson inline seating die. Ordered everything including an K&M arbor press this week. For ultimate precision I think an arbor is the way to go if you want to invest in it. If you are using a standard press…..Forster is the best bang for the buck. They are less expensive than Redding and every bit as good. I have both….Due to oddball calibers that Forster doesn’t make …and I’ve called Forster to see about custom dies…..they don’t do it……where Redding does. I also have Wilson, K&M, and Sinclair tools, dies and equipment……all are top notch |
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Posted: 5/30/2024 7:15:55 AM EST
[#14]
Unless you are shooting and competing in BR an arbor press does nothing but slow everything down. Some people rotate into them when they think they are needed for that ultimate precision and most end up selling them and going back to a quality standard press. The dies and components are more important than the press.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/30/2024 7:58:41 AM EST
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rob01: Unless you are shooting and competing in BR an arbor press does nothing but slow everything down. Some people rotate into them when they think they are needed for that ultimate precision and most end up selling them and going back to a quality standard press. The dies and components are more important than the press. Rob01 I have a Lee Classic Cast single stage press that should work well for precision loading. I like the ideal of the Micrometer on the Die as I have always though they should have some way to tell how much more I just increased when setting the bullet. One of my biggest issues with normal dies was always getting them set up each time I was reloading, these bushing dies with micrometer should help with set up. |
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Posted: 5/30/2024 8:11:17 AM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cavegeo: Rob01 I have a Lee Classic Cast single stage press that should work well for precision loading. I like the ideal of the Micrometer on the Die as I have always though they should have some way to tell how much more I just increased when setting the bullet. One of my biggest issues with normal dies was always getting them set up each time I was reloading, these bushing dies with micrometer should help with set up. That Lee press will work fine for you. The micrometer on the seater is about the ease of making adjustments. If you aren't now you need to get some locking die rings. This way you do not have to adjust your dies every time. You set them and lock them and they are set. Especially the sizer. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1165236200?pid=391359 |
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USA
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Posted: 5/30/2024 9:01:39 AM EST
[#17]
I agree with all of the above, but will add that a proper die-alignment process will have as much or more impact on your outcome as die quality.
Press-to-die thread interface is sloppy (intentionally) so you can align the die with the ram before locking it down with the ring. Several ways to do it, but I do it with a piece of cartridge brass acting as an alignment pin. Get that down and you’ll never have runnout issues. |
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Posted: 5/30/2024 9:11:08 AM EST
[Last Edit: wildearp]
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MemeWarfare: Competition bushing dies from Redding or Forester. Expanders are for the trash.  |
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Posted: 5/30/2024 9:13:48 AM EST
[Last Edit: wildearp]
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Urimaginaryfrnd: Redding Trim length is also important https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101285306?pid=119117  |
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Posted: 6/1/2024 12:25:01 AM EST
[#20]
I use separate Redding comp dies for shoulder(separate from neck) and neck(bushing only) I use a sinclair mandrel die for finished neck, and I use the Forrester comp die(with sleeve and micrometer) for seating..A normal FL bushing die for sizing works, I just prefer to separate the neck and shoulders into separate operations so I only have to focus on one at a time..I use the RCBS power trimmer with their 3 angle cutter for trimming because of how accurate and consistent is when setup right......I use a RCBS charge master lite for powder drops, gives good results for me... The absolute best is the Autotrickler, if you want the best.....
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TX, USA
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Posted: 6/10/2024 9:15:07 AM EST
[#21]
I prefer Redding bushing dies for neck only, with a separate body die. Either competition or Type S. You could also do Forster and the newer SAC advertise themselves really well.
I go through the extra step of removing expanders from my dies and I run brass over a 21st Century mandrel at .002” below bullet diameter. For seating, the Redding competition seater or Forster are great, but I’ve had great results from the Hornady competition seaters because they allow a fantastic fit of seating stem to bullet. I’ve got a pile of seating stems and they produce consistent results. Might be overkill but whatever. I’m pretty happy with my results. |
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USA
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Posted: 6/10/2024 9:53:25 AM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rob01: That Lee press will work fine for you. The micrometer on the seater is about the ease of making adjustments. If you aren't now you need to get some locking die rings. This way you do not have to adjust your dies every time. You set them and lock them and they are set. Especially the sizer. type Status report message description Access to the specified resource has been forbidden. Apache Tomcat/7.0.68 (Ubuntu) |
