In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

What dies?

fldavefldave Member Posts: 47 ✭✭
edited December 2008 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I want to start reloading and don't know what to buy as far as dies go. I see two die sets and three dies sets; and different groups.
What die set should I get for the following calibers?

257 Roberts
300 Win Mag
45 ACP

I have an RCBS rockchucker press and that's about it.

Thanks,
David
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • reddnekreddnek Member Posts: 1,552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    3 die for the 45, you can likely get by with 2 die for the 257 and 300 if they are in bolt action rifles.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skyfishskyfish Member Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    2 die sets for the rifles, 3 die set for the 45 ACP. I like the Hornady with the free bullets right now. RCBS and Redding are just as good, stay away from the high end competition stuff, I think it would be overkill for you when starting to learn. Also yo have to use a lube in the rifles not on the 45ACP. I use spray lube a for everything I have 204- 270 WSM, some say its not good enough for 300WM, I don't know. Just make sure you clean the dies when you det them, they have a rust preventer in them.

    Make sure you get the shellholder that goes on the press's ram too.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You will most likley need a taper crimp die for the 45acp. Most seater dies only roll crimp.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fldavefldave Member Posts: 47 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks folks.

    I'll get the two die set for the rifles and the three die set for the 45.

    Will a two die set be bad for a semi-auto rifle?

    On the classified, they discuss Group "A" and Group "D". Which is the one I need?

    I appreciate your advice.

    David
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skyfishskyfish Member Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 2 die set will be fine for the auto, if its a Rem 740 or 7400 you may need a small base but I start with regular dies. As for Class A and D, not sure where that is. Some companies have different pricing deppending on how common of calibur. And to agree with dcs, get a taper die for the 45.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • csteinhcsteinh Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    David,

    I prefer a 4 die set for the .45 acp; a carbide sizing die, a belling die, a seating die and a taper crimp die. You want the carbide sizing die so that you do not have to lubricate the cases prior to re-sizing them. I used to use a 3 die set by using the seating/crimping die as a seating die only and then running the seated bullet up into the sizing die just a little to "taper" crimp. This process is not nearly as accurate as a 4-die set.

    Cort
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mort4570Mort4570 Member Posts: 472 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 on a 4 die set for the acp.It is far easier to adjust depth or crimp if it's 2 seperate dies.
    I would suggest you start with the acp and learn what the dies do,as rifle reloadingg is much more involved and almost always requires case trimming,while acp cases seldom need trimming if you use the same batch of cases.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    All very good advice. Especially on the carbide and taper crimp for the 45 ACP. I haven't really seen anything here on manufacturer, so that is where I will add my two cents. I would go with Redding or RCBS. If you go with the neck bushing, I would not for these calibers, make sure you get them with full length sizing and not just neck sizing. Have fun!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
    edited November -1
    In addition to the above information.
    I have always used RCBS, but recently LEE is making great dies and they offer sets with a "final factory crimp die". Well worth the money!!

    As above, 4 die set Lee Carbide for the .45, and 3 die set for the others. I also recommend a size gauge for each caliber (Midway or Dillon for $10-15 each). These little extra's just save a whole lot of time and components.

    Best of luck
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • B17-P51B17-P51 Member Posts: 2,248 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 for GEEGUY. I used to slam Lee stuff and was strictly a "Green stuff only" guy but no more.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jsmith15jsmith15 Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have just started relaoding and bought new Lee dies for .40 S&W and .45acp that are carbide and use a RCBS RS-5 press and all is well.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    fldave,

    Depending on how much .45 you want to reload is how tough of a set of dies you may want to get. {edit:}I don't relaod all that much pistol so Lee dies work great for me in that department. One thing I found while reloading all pistol is that the Lee factory crimp dies will save you a lot of head-ache when it comes time to shoot.

    For the .300 WM I would go with a FL sizer, and if you want a little more accuracy get a Neck sizer too. Redding makes a deluxe set with both sizers. If you want to get into serious competition then you may possibly want to get a competition seater. Not worth it though if you don't. The neck sizer allows you to size down only the neck portion of the case and headspace off the shoulder. This will also help the life of your cases. Which, can be expensive in .300 WM. For strictly hunting FL sizing is a little better as extraction will be easier.

    The Roberts can go either way. I load my 6.5x55 with Lee Collet dies which I have found to be extremely accurate. The same would apply to the .257. Less case stretch means a lot longer life. It's also relatively easy to adjust neck tension with the Lee Collet dies. RCBS, Hornady, and Redding all make good dies. Of the three of them I like the Hornady as it aligns the bullet before seating. If you can get to a good reloading store or one of the warehouse type sellers(Cabelas, Gander, Sportsmans Warehouse) take a look at all the types. They may not have them on the shelf but you might be able to order the style you want if you like it enough.

    -good luck
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • e8gme8gm Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I didn't read it in the thread anywhere but I recommend that you get a carbide sizing die with your .45 die set. It will not require lubing of the cases. If you use the non carbide sizing die, you'll have to lube each case then clean it again after sizing/loading.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jtmarine0831jtmarine0831 Member Posts: 908 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by fldave
    I want to start reloading and don't know what to buy as far as dies go. I see two die sets and three dies sets; and different groups.
    What die set should I get for the following calibers?

    257 Roberts
    300 Win Mag
    45 ACP

    I have an RCBS rockchucker press and that's about it.

    Thanks,
    David



    RockChucker, thats all you need!

    There is plenty of great advice here. And I second or third the use of Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die for the 45ACP, it resizes the after the bullet has been crimped(in same die on way out) to prevent any rounds not feeading properly due to bulged case from crimping. I see no use, unless you want to spend the extra money to buy anything other than Lee Carbide dies for your 45ACP.

    As far as the rifle dies, 2 die sets are fine, unless you want to get into neck sizing and such. And most Companies(RCBS, Redding, Lee, Hornady) sell just basic 2-die sets for decent prices. I do recommend on the 300WinMag that you invest in Lee Factory crimp die because it is not a light recoiler.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=339185

    Here is a thread about crimping.

    And last but not least, I believe some one mentioned a case gauge from Dillion? Excellent! I use these gauges for all my pistol cartridges. The ones for the pistols gauge case length, headspacing, size and Cartridge Overall Length, which is wonderful. The rifle gauges a nice too but they don't do C.O.L, just trim length.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fldavefldave Member Posts: 47 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you all very much for your input.
    I'm going to print and save the thread and take the information with me when I buy the equipment.
    Have a Merry Christmas
    Sincerely,
    David
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.