6BR die opinions

[Never Forget]

Getting closer to delivery of the new toy, time to start shopping for dies and would like other's opinions on the subject. This will be my first custom gun with a match chamber, going with Lapua brass and a no turn .272 neck. For all my other guns I have had best success with neck sizing only but I keep reading that more people are full length sizing for custom bench guns so I am going to start with that route and see what happens. I feel I have it narrowed to either Redding full length bushing dies or Forster standard dies that I will send back to Forster with some fired brass and hone to match. Wondering what other's are doing. I'm not against neck sizing for this gun as well, honestly I'm sure I will try both to see the difference. I'm not concerned about the cost difference between the 2 brands, I'm spending a lot of money on this build, I'm not going to skimp out on dies.

I have done numerous searches on the topic, it seems the subject has been so beaten to death that its hard to do a decent search without spending hours reading threads that don't relate well. I realize I could post this in the reloading section but want the opinion of the 6br shooters.

Thanks, John

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id recommend a whidden fl bushing die set

 

[rkittine]

I also have a brand new custom 6mmBR Norma rifle with a .272 No Turn Neck and I bought one box of Lapua factory ammunition so I can shoot a few and get some fired cases and a copy of the reamer print, out to Whidden for a set of custom dies.

Bob

 

[Mudder]

Whidden dies are best fitting and most trouble free I've used.

 

[potatoe]

I vote for Whidden or Harrell's. I've had both and can't really pick between the two they make excellent dies and low run out. Both fit my chambers very well.

 

[madmixerman]

Whidden

 

[lpreddick]

Another vote for whidden. I have two sets and can,'t believe how smooth they are. I sent them my reamer prints and, as advised, got the types s fl bushing body die and micro bullet seater. Fired brass fl sizes so easy you almost don't want to use sizing wax/grease...but I do. They cost a bit more, but are absolutely worth it.

 

[joshb]

Whidden!!! Wait for more votes, but they'll be the same. Well, there's always "that guy".

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have a 6br I haven't shot yet, but bought a set of Widden dies per suggested from this site. They are nice, John makes good stuff.

 

[Never Forget]

I guess this is a no brainer, Whidden it is. I will give them a call next week. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[noload]

I love my 6BRs and use a Bob Green fl die with nk bushings. He makes great custom dies from Newlon blanks. Here are the blanks..http://www.newlonprecision.com. He had a Dasher die done on the shelf , I got it the next day,for $150.00, he got my check 3 days later. Great guy give him a call. York, Pa. gunsmith, and BR shooter. I just tried my Redding FL s type 6br die and it did not size the base enough for a tight chamber. All my dies are from Bob I wouldn't have it any other way. http://greensrifles.com

 

[JHardy]

Whidden.

 

[JRS]

If you're not going to skimp out on a sizing die, get the BEST. Send a couple of pieces of brass to Al/Dan Warner and order the WTC die

 

[johara1]

I guess i'm in the minority……. i use Harrells FL. bushing die and make my own bullet seater from the reamer. They seem to work pretty good……. jim

 

[expiper]

OP,,,,as previously stated these custom dies work great,,,however you have these off the shelf Redding dies (usually available from most vendors)
6mm BR-----------------77317
6mm Dasher-----------77648
these work well if your chamber was cut with the reamers that Kiff recomends and sells,,,Roger (the "other guy")
PS,,I use Wilson chamber type seater dies,,with arbor press,,,I want to feel the seating pressure (strain guage is a good idea)

 

[SS427]

I use a Redding FL Type S die and a Wilson seating for my 6BR now. Before I used Redding Competition dies and neck sized most the time. When I changed I didn't notice any accuracy difference, but was happier with how the cases chambered.

Accuracy with both sets of dies is/was outstanding. There are some days where my 6BR (13.5 twist w/ match bullets) shoots as good as my 6PPC. The PPC is reloaded with a custom sizing die made by the gunsmith that chambered the rifle and a Wilson seating die.

Has anyone ever done a head-to-head test? Off the shelf dies against custom dies? If I had the means I would do a test with Redding dies, Harrels, and a full custom die. I would be quite interested in on-target results.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Mr otter- most of the time its not that a certain die isnt as accurate as another its about how long your brass lasts and how your gun works mechanically when using said dies. I doubt youd ever see a difference on target between a redding or full out custom but when you work that bolt handle youll know where that extra money went.

 

[johara1]

Send three fired cases to Harrells and get a custom die for less than you can buy a off the shelf die from Redding or other makers. The best part if you don't like what it does he will replace it with one that does…….. jim

 

[lpreddick]

Re the whidden type s bushing die...I have many Redding bushing dies and they always leave a tiny bit of neck unsized and i'v read that is normal, goes with a bushing's behavior. My whidden sizes every bit of the neck, right down to the shoulder. This, even when adjusting the die so the bushing floats just a little. I like this as I'v had my last few builds with no freebore and the last uses all the neck even when seating .020" into the lands.

 

[spclark]

Whidden.