Recommended Dies for a 6.5 Creedmoor

[TomSawyerNW]

Hi, I am just getting set up to start reloading for my 6.5 Creedmoor. I'm looking for suggestions on which dies and which manufacturer's dies to get.

Forster has always been my preference (for my 6.5 Grendel).

I assume most of the dies out there are pretty good but wanted to get some suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Lee collet
Redding body die
Forster seaters

That’s my favorite set when I can get them for a cartridge.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I am a fan of the regular Forster FL die with the high set expander ball. Click adjustable micrometer top for the Hornady seating dies is pretty neat to adjust bullet depth.

 

[6.5 forever]

Whidden click adjustable for me.

 

[TxBowHunter409]

Oh boy.. here we go! The lid on that can of worms it's hard to put back on sometimes.

All I can say is what I use. Forster full length bushing dies, L E. Wilson mandrel, and L.E. Wilson inline seating dies. Very consistent for me.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Oh boy.. here we go! The lid on that can of worms it's hard to put back on sometimes.

All I can say is what I use. Forster full length bushing dies and L.E. Wilson inline seating dies. Very consistent for me.

Yep we will all chime in on what we have. lol.

 

[marchx]

Forster micrometer set and forster bushing bump die.

 

[chromatica]

LE Wilson FL bushing die, Lee Collet Die, Forster Ultra Micrometer seater

 

[jds holler]

I got lucky with the RCBS's that came with the Creedmoor that I got used from a buddy. With brass that's been fired in that rifle, the die doesn't touch the shoulder until I hit "full cam-over" in the press. Kinda as if that die was cut for that chamber.

And on top of that, I can seat eld bullets all the way out to "touch" and the cartridge will still fit the mag. This rifle is a Bergara, and it almost seems like they made it right. jd

 

[Evlshnngns]

Mine are the basic Hornady set, work great. I like the hornady seater dies, but the Forster is a better setup.

 

[dthomas]

I use quite a few different dies but you said you use and like Forster dies then I would just stick with them. There's definitely nothing wrong with them.

 

[Clancy]

I use a multitude of sizers but I seat everything with LE micrometer seaters and an arbor

 

[TomSawyerNW]

Oh boy.. here we go! The lid on that can of worms it's hard to put back on sometimes.

All I can say is what I use. Forster full length bushing dies, L E. Wilson mandrel, and L.E. Wilson inline seating dies. Very consistent for me.

I was afraid of that, lol! But right now, I'm at base zero...straight-up vertical learning curve.

 

[TomSawyerNW]

I use quite a few different dies but you said you use and like Forster dies then I would just stick with them. There's definitely nothing wrong with them.

Unless there was a strong reason to switch, I guess I had planned on sticking with Forster.

 

[TomSawyerNW]

I would like to thank you all for your quick comments.

I got the Creedmoor rifle from someone else who had it custom built. I tried 2-3 different store-bought ammos with little luck, so it appears reloads will be my main option.

 

[TTE]

I have and use Forster, Redding, RCBS and 21st Century for mandreling (if that's a word). All make good ammo.
My Neil Jones die set is my favorite and IMO makes the best ammo.

Additionally, it depends on what you are using the ammo for ..... hunting, plinking, short BR, long BR, F Class etc.

There are many good dies out there ..... it's almost a 'pick em' game.

 

[TomSawyerNW]

I have and use Forster, Redding, RCBS and 21st Century for mandreling (if that's a word). All make good ammo.
My Neil Jones die set is my favorite and IMO makes the best ammo.

Additionally, it depends on what you are using the ammo for ..... hunting, plinking, short BR, long BR, F Class etc.

There are many good dies out there ..... it's almost a 'pick em' game.

I'm focused mainly on 300-700 yards distance, accuracy, and consistency, but noncompetitive. Not so much plinking or short range. I'm not familiar with Neil Jones dies.

 

[Hemipowrd]

I've used the Redding competition and the Area 419 M series dies, but prefer the Short Action Precision dies. They work as designed, are very configurable and give very consistent results.

 

[TTE]

I'm focused mainly on 300-700 yards distance, accuracy, and consistency, but noncompetitive. Not so much plinking or short range. I'm not familiar with Neil Jones dies.

I really like Neil's dies, but you should call him first. He is getting older by the minute (as are we all), he's in his 80's.
Warner (Tool) dies (I have them too but forgot to mention them) are excellent as well. You will also need a press that will accept the larger diameter of Alan's (Warner Tool) dies.

I don't have the others mentioned here so can't comment on them.
Most competition dies will work fine.
However, If willing to wait a bit for custom dies and would like some of the best dies available, I would look hard at Alan's dies ....... they are brilliant.

 

[boltman13]

I started real early in the history of the 6.5 Creedmoor with the original Hornady die set. I added a RCBS Neck Sizer when it became available, Next came a Lee die set but I only used the Collet die and ran it through a Redding Body die after every 3 firings with Lapua SRP brass. I tried the Forester Adjustable Shoulder Bump Die with good results along with the Redding Body Die and a Wilson Micrometer Seating Die. I have since switched to the Widden Click Adjustable Die and the Wilson Seater. I am completely satisfied with this system and I doubt I will change. I have two 6.5 Creeds, both single shots with long heavy barrels that I shoot 600 yard F-Class and Freedom BR and 1,000 yard F-Class, as well as a Ruger American Predator in an aftermarket B&C stock I hunt with.