Die's for .308

[MrRobot]

Hello all,
I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction or give me some advice. I currently am reloading 223 and its been good. Learned a lot now I want to start reloading .308

I need to purchase some dies for the .308. I know it's different from 223. What are good dies to purchase. If possible I would like something in the middle of cost. Not expensive or cheap just in the middle.

Would the process be the same for 308 like the 223 on brass pre, head space etc... My current die set I have for the 223 I have 3 of them.

Been watching videos but everyone is different on how they reload.

thank you in advance.

 

[deemus]

I use Lee dies and have been very happy with them.

 

[baboon]

Most all of my reloading equipment is RCBS. They have replaced plastic things for free that were 20+ years old, no questions asked.

 

[contender buff]

Personally I think all dies will work , it really boils down to personal preference. I’ve used all brands,they work like they should and manufacturers stand behind them.

 

[Texasjack]

Lee dies work great, and they're usually lower cost than others. There's nothing unusual about the .308 that would require any special dies or equipment.

 

[msharley]

Hello all,
I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction or give me some advice. I currently am reloading 223 and its been good. Learned a lot now I want to start reloading .308

I need to purchase some dies for the .308. I know it's different from 223. What are good dies to purchase. If possible I would like something in the middle of cost. Not expensive or cheap just in the middle.

Would the process be the same for 308 like the 223 on brass pre, head space etc... My current die set I have for the 223 I have 3 of them.

Been watching videos but everyone is different on how they reload.

thank you in advance.

If? You are loading for a "gas gun" (M1 A, FAL...)

I highly recommend the CH4D SMALL BASE die set....

Also, for a gas gun? I recommend trimming to .006" to .008" SHORTER than minimum case length...

Do what you wish with this info.

Two of my sons & myself wore out FIVE barrels for Garands ...competing locally in Service Rifle...

All the fellers that I shot with that used the M1 A platform (45gr BLC II under the 147gr FMJ) did this...several were top shooters at Camp Perry.

Hope this helps

 

[popper]

I have RCBS and Hornady, RCBS are for cast bullets. Hornady has a centering sleeve that doesn't like fat cast bullets. Sold my AR10 so don't use cast anymore. I don't need the RCBS, if you are near DFW.

 

[Huntsman52]

Any 308 die set will work. I prefer Lee as it comes with a case holder and I also add the Lee Universal expanding die into the mix. Works good with cast or jacket projectiles.

 

[Havok1]

I use Lee dies.

 

[Nicholst55]

RCBS is the benchmark for reloading dies, and has been for 60 years or so. That said, they all work.

 

[Txhillbilly]

RCBS is the benchmark for reloading dies, and has been for 60 years or so. That said, they all work.

While RCBS makes decent dies, I've never heard of them being a "Benchmark". Most serious precision competition shooter's use Wilson, Redding, and Whidden dies.
For general reloading, Lee, Lyman, Hornady, and RCBS make very good dies that produce accurate ammo when setup correctly.

 

[hornetguy]

I agree with @msharley .... if you are loading for an autoloader, it would be worth it to get a good set of "small base" dies, just for the extra warm fuzzy you get, knowing the cartridges will feed flawlessly.

If for a bolt gun, nearly any of the major manufacturers will work. I've got most of them.. RCBS, Lee, C&H, Hornady, Lyman, Redding.... if I had to pick the "nicest" of them, it would be Redding, hands down.

 

[Nicholst55]

While RCBS makes decent dies, I've never heard of them being a "Benchmark". Most serious precision competition shooter's use Wilson, Redding, and Whidden dies.
For general reloading, Lee, Lyman, Hornady, and RCBS make very good dies that produce accurate ammo when setup correctly.

True that many/most competitive shooters don't ordinarily buy RCBS dies. The average shooter however? Walk into five gun shops that stock reloading equipment, and tell me what kind of dies you see on the shelf.

 

[Txhillbilly]

True that many/most competitive shooters don't ordinarily buy RCBS dies. The average shooter however? Walk into five gun shops that stock reloading equipment, and tell me what kind of dies you see on the shelf.

Lee, Hornady, and RCBS are stocked at most any shop that carries reloading stuff.

Just don't think RCBS is the Benchmark for anything. But, everyone has their favorite brand to get behind I guess.

 

[jrbfishn]

While RCBS makes decent dies, I've never heard of them being a "Benchmark". Most serious precision competition shooter's use Wilson, Redding, and Whidden dies.
For general reloading, Lee, Lyman, Hornady, and RCBS make very good dies that produce accurate ammo when setup correctly.

This is good advice. All the common dies work. Pick a price point and warranty and buy one. If all you want is good, functional ammo, get one of the less expensive. For sub MOA groups at 1000 yards, you may want to go more expensive. If you can shoot sub MOA groups consistantly. Personally, my dies are Lee Precision and more accurate than I am most days. And I can shoot MOA groups.

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[Txhillbilly]

This is good advice. All the common dies work. Pick a price point and warranty and buy one. If all you want is good, functional ammo, get one of the less expensive. For sub MOA groups at 1000 yards, you may want to go more expensive. If you can shoot sub MOA groups consistantly. Personally, my dies are Lee Precision and more accurate than I am most days. And I can shoot MOA groups.

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Nothing wrong with Lee die's. I use them for all of my handgun cartridges, and have a few sets for rifle cartridges. Also have a couple sets of Hornady and RCBS, but for all of my Precision rifle cartridges I use Redding Competition or Whidden dies.

 

[Eastexasrick]

Drop by Axxe's place for the Great Fall Extravaganza and I will give you a set of Lee dies. Or send me a PM

 

[jrbfishn]

Nothing wrong with Lee die's. I use them for all of my handgun cartridges, and have a few sets for rifle cartridges. Also have a couple sets of Hornady and RCBS, but for all of my Precision rifle cartridges I use Redding Competition or Whidden dies.

And I don't blame you a bit. For compitition, I probably would too. They work. And they are worth every penny.
My oldest son is getting into precision. Starting on a Lee press and dies. Shooting Moa and under sometimes. When he gets to the point that he is consistantly shooting under MOA he is looking at better equipment. But until he determines if that is the route he wants, or even if reloading is something he wants to do long term, what he has is more than enough in terms of quality.
I have met you, I ain't that senile yet, and I know you can shoot. Probably better than I ever could. For sure better than I can now. Realistically, me and most others will never see the benefit in our shooting to justify the better, and more expensive, dies and equipment.

For above average ammo, at a reasonable price for equipment, Lee, Hornady and RCBS are the way to go.
For competition grade ammo, Redding or Whidden is absolutetly the right choice. Or if you are sure you will stick with it it and you only want to buy the best, buy once and want the best precision.



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[MrRobot]

Thank you very much for all the info. This will help me on my purchase this weekend.

@popper , sorry you're a little to far for me but thank you for offering.


***Update***

I don't know if I was lucky or not. I went to a yard sale this afternoon and I came across some dies. Some were very rusted and some were new from what I seen. At the bottom of the box under books I seen dies for 308. I went straight to pay for them since they were tag for $15.

They are Lee Pacestters Dies with Free shell holder. Now will those work for me or do I need different ones?

 

[Eastexasrick]

Thank you very much for all the info. This will help me on my purchase this weekend.

@popper , sorry you're a little to far for me but thank you for offering.


***Update***

I don't know if I was lucky or not. I went to a yard sale this afternoon and I came across some dies. Some were very rusted and some were new from what I seen. At the bottom of the box under books I seen dies for 308. I went straight to pay for them since they were tag for $15.

They are Lee Pacestters Dies with Free shell holder. Now will those work for me or do I need different ones?

You did well! and you may be lucky too. Lots of options for the 308 loads. Your going to get overwhelmed with options. My favorite is from the old Speer #9 loading guide. 150gr spitzer boat tail with 45gr 4064. But do your own research and have fun.