Dies for hunting rifle

[Brown274]

I recently purchased a Sako 30-06 rifle for deer/elk hunting and I need to buy a set of dies and have a couple of questions. A few years ago you guys helped me choose the Forster FL (Non-Bushing) and a Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater for my Tikka 7mm08 and I am very happy with the results for 200 yards and under. I am wondering if I stay with the same dies for the 30-06 or go another route and will I gain any improvement.

#1
Looking on the forum/net I see the Redding type S dies and the Whidden FL bushing with click dies brought up a bunch. Are the bushing dies intended for hunting rifles or just for benchrest/comp custom rifles? If I do go with a FL bushing die, I'm guessing you don't use the expander ball and you then use a expander mandrel after resizing?

#2
Bullet seating die, do I go with the Forster Ultra Micrometer or do I get into the Wilson Micro Arbor seater and get myself a arbor press.

I know this is only for a hunting rifle but will do the extra steps and spend more if it will make an noticable improvement. My next rifle will be a 6mmBR so I will probably end up with the arbor press anyways.


I have a Co-ax press and do everything in a single stage.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

For a hunting rifle id pick the redding, rcbs or hornady fl die set- whatever my favorite vendor had in stock

 

[Mulligan]

Having both, I will bet a set of dies from Mr. Whidden will do all that can be done for your accuracy requirements. I have tested my Whidden seating die and wilson die side by side in a round robin test with an accurate 6 Dasher at 600 yards. There was a difference, but you needed to measure twice and hold your mouth just right to separate the “fly-mess” from the pepper.
CW

 

[Bc'z]

I've loaded thousands of rounds of quality ammo with standard RCBS.
I've switched to Wilson on 2 rifles and love them, I really like the set of Redding I have for another rifle.
If you measure the neck of a loaded round then subtract .003 will give you your bushing size no mandrel needed.

 

[dcali]

High end dies are wasted on hunting rifles. Get them if you like them, but don’t expect the ammo to be any more capable. I’m partial to Redding, myself, but the others I’ve used are plenty good as well.

Don’t get an arbor press unless you plan on loading at the range. It’s added expense and they’re a little more clumsy to use than a threaded press. I would argue that they offer no benefit over threaded dies other than portability, and even that’s debatable (an RCBS partner press is pretty portable.)

 

[johnfred1965]

High end dies are wasted on hunting rifles. Get them if you like them, but don’t expect the ammo to be any more capable. I’m partial to Redding, myself, but the others I’ve used are plenty good as well.

Don’t get an arbor press unless you plan on loading at the range. It’s added expense and they’re a little more clumsy to use than a threaded press. I would argue that they offer no benefit over threaded dies other than portability, and even that’s debatable (an RCBS partner press is pretty portable.)

I agree with this 100%. I have several target grade rifles I use expensive dies on, but for hunting, unless it is a custom rifle, any of your basic dies and presses are enough for deer, prairie dogs, or anything inbetween.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Plese watch this video, the Forster die produces less neck runout than a Redding type S bushing die. You can also have the dies neck honed if you think the die is reducing the neck diameter too much for your brand of brass.

 

[Brown274]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I guess I will stick to what has been working and get the Forster FL and Micro seater.

 

[Fast14riot]

I use a body die and Lee collet neck die followed by a Wilson mic top arbor die for my 30-06, but I also shoot vintage military matches with it. That being said, a body die and Lee CND is cheap and produces straight cases if coupled with a good threaded seating die. I no longer hand load hunting ammo, here in CA I need non lead and dont hunt enough to warrant buying several boxes of copper bullets and working up a load, so just a couple boxes of factory ammo to find what works best is good enough for me.

 

[GeootJan]

Plese watch this video, the Forster die produces less neck runout than a Redding type S bushing die. You can also have the dies neck honed if you think the die is reducing the neck diameter too much for your brand of brass.

I’ve been wonder about a die honed, so much information out there and half of it seems to be ford vs chev type and I get lost.

We can have Redding or Hornady(don’t look at me like that!) die honed by sending a few fired casing off to the factory.

It puts minimal stress and re shaping on the brass and makes more consistent ammo.

You either do this or neck size.

How far off track am I at this point?

 

[grovey]

I like Forster, Redding, and RCBS in that order, but I've shot small groups with factory rifles and ammo made with all of them. No need for fancy dies for a hunting rifle, but if it makes you feel better it ain't gonna hurt anything but your wallet.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I’ve been wonder about a die honed, so much information out there and half of it seems to be ford vs chev type and I get lost.

We can have Redding or Hornady(don’t look at me like that!) die honed by sending a few fired casing off to the factory.

It puts minimal stress and re shaping on the brass and makes more consistent ammo.

You either do this or neck size.

How far off track am I at this point?

Not far off but its forster and they only did the neck part. Think i read even they stopped doing it

 

[Uncle Ed]

I’ve been wonder about a die honed, so much information out there and half of it seems to be ford vs chev type and I get lost.

We can have Redding or Hornady(don’t look at me like that!) die honed by sending a few fired casing off to the factory.

It puts minimal stress and re shaping on the brass and makes more consistent ammo.

You either do this or neck size.

How far off track am I at this point?

I have at least five Forster full length dies and installed the Forster expander and spindle on all my RCBS and Redding dies.

And the reason for this is simple, the high mounted floating Forster expander produces very little to no neck runout.

And I have never found the need to have the necks honed on any of my Forster dies. This is because I want to be able to resize all brands of brass regardless of their neck thickness.

Using the expander is not the end of the world, and the Redding bushing die FAQ tells you if the neck thickness varies .002 or more to use the expander that comes with their bushing dies.

Below on the right a Forster high mounted expander and spindle assembly for my RCBS .223 full length die.

Below a modified Forster expander and spindle assembly for my Redding full length .243 die. And this greatly reduces neck runout on the resized cases.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Not far off but its forster and they only did the neck part. Think i read even they stopped doing it

I think you need to read the link below and stop spreading rumors and fake news.

Custom Machining Services
Custom Polished Seating Stems
CUSTOM Under-size EXPANDER BALL
REPOLISH SIZING DIE

CUSTOM NECK HONING OF FORSTER FULL LENGTH SIZING DIE
https://www.forsterproducts.com/resources/custom-machining-service/
We custom-hone the inside neck diameter by using a diamond stoning process. We enlarge the inside diameter to your specification to prevent oversizing of the case neck due to thick neck walls. You may require this service for multiple reasons:

1. If you use some brands of brass cases with thicker neck walls.
2. If you do not intend to outside neck turn case necks that have thickened after repeated firings.

Please send us your die along with the Custom Neck Honing Form, specifying the inside neck diameter. Note:

1. No more than .008″ stock removal from your existing die neck diameter is possible.
2. Honing is done in increments of one-half thousandth of an inch (.0005″), meaning that your specified inside diameter must be either .XXX0″ or .XXX5″.

$24.00, includes shipping within continental U.S. (lower 48 states). Please allow 1-3 weeks.

FL Bushing Dies vs. Honed FL Dies
https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/fl-bushing-dies-vs-honed-fl-dies/

 

[jrm850]

For a run of the mill hunting rifle, I honestly think you would be hard pressed to beat a lee collet die. I scoffed at them for more than a decade. I bought a set to put in a progressive for an AR and was really surprised. I still only have that one set though, so take my advise with two grains of salt.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

For a run of the mill hunting rifle, I honestly think you would be hard pressed to beat a lee collet die. I scoffed at them for more than a decade. I bought a set to put in a progressive for an AR and was really surprised. I still only have that one set though, so take my advise with two grains of salt.

Actually a hunting rifle needs to be fl sized more than anything. A collet die will ruin a hunt eventually

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I think you need to read the link below and stop spreading rumors and fake news.

Custom Machining Services
Custom Polished Seating Stems
CUSTOM Under-size EXPANDER BALL
REPOLISH SIZING DIE

CUSTOM NECK HONING OF FORSTER FULL LENGTH SIZING DIE
https://www.forsterproducts.com/resources/custom-machining-service/
We custom-hone the inside neck diameter by using a diamond stoning process. We enlarge the inside diameter to your specification to prevent oversizing of the case neck due to thick neck walls. You may require this service for multiple reasons:

1. If you use some brands of brass cases with thicker neck walls.
2. If you do not intend to outside neck turn case necks that have thickened after repeated firings.

Please send us your die along with the Custom Neck Honing Form, specifying the inside neck diameter. Note:

1. No more than .008″ stock removal from your existing die neck diameter is possible.
2. Honing is done in increments of one-half thousandth of an inch (.0005″), meaning that your specified inside diameter must be either .XXX0″ or .XXX5″.

$24.00, includes shipping within continental U.S. (lower 48 states). Please allow 1-3 weeks.

FL Bushing Dies vs. Honed FL Dies
https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/fl-bushing-dies-vs-honed-fl-dies/

i knew that would roust you out of the closet- pictures and all. It was a dogwhistle to copy and paste.

 

[K22]

I realize that this isn't a popular answer but you can achieve excellent results with standard a RCBS full length sizing die set. I've been doing it for almost 50 years now using them for big game, precise varmint and predator hunting.

The really important thing is to learn how to properly full length resize your cases meaning an approx .001 to .002" shoulder bump. This will provide flawlessly chambering in the field which is critically important for hunting reloads and will not reduce accuracy potential.

The 06 is one of the easiest cartridges to load for with an abundant of proven bullet / powder load combo's. In a quality rifle with a quality scope you should have no trouble shooting at least 1 moa and most likely a lot smaller.

The real dividends in terms of field results can be achieved by learning how to become a skilled field shot meaning practicing in field shooting conditions at various ranges you intend to shoot during hunting. This means getting off the bench and using whatever field shooting aid you intend to use while hunting, i.e. bipod, shooting sticks, etc.

Don't get caught up in paper ballistics, equipment and theoretical reloading. The old 06 is an excellent choice for almost all big game hunting in North America.

 

[Uncle Ed]

i knew that would roust you out of the closet- pictures and all. It was a dogwhistle to copy and paste.

You call that a excuse for bad information, you should be drawn and quartered, keel hauled, castrated and shot in the head with a bazooka.

 

[GeootJan]

Don’t neck expanders come on all dies? I’ve only loaded for my arrr gun and the set of RCBS dies have that in it.
I have much to learn here.

And if being shot in the head with a bazooka after being keel hauled in quarters is on the table them I will be more careful!