6br with standard dies

[204shooter]

Hi all,

About to put together a 6br for general shooting and friendly competition. Not trying to cut corners, but are standard dies "good enough", hoping for 1/2 moa at 100 yards and close to that out to about 500.

Using a Stevens 200, shilen barrel, SSS stock, and rifle basix trigger so I won't be heading to Camp Perry with it, just the local gun range.

Should I spring for type S dies ($165) and bushings ($75)?

 

[RonAKA]

First I would suggest you benchmark your price based on the Forster bushing/bump die and Ultra Micrometer seater. Just as good as the Redding, and some may say better. If you want to go with lower cost one option is to use the Forster full length sizer, and have Forster hone the neck out to a specified size (costs about $15). You need to work your way through it after you get your brass, but I would suggest 0.267" for the older Lapua brass, and 0.266 or 0.2655 for the newer brass. On the seating side the micrometer top adds convenience and cost, but you can work without it, and not lose accuracy. In the Forster the bottom end is the same.

 

[fdshuster]

204shooter: Your estimate on the cost of a good set of dies is a little on the high side, and bushing can certainly be bought for less than $75. When possible I try to use the plain steel at approx. $12 each, and a minimum of 2 should do nicely for you. I second what Ron says about Forster dies, they are excellent and priced a little lower than others. Also like their die lock rings, easy to adjust, unlike the "old fashioned" designed that have the set screw into the 7/8" x 14 threads. Loading the 6BR with standard dies, is sort of like trying to get a Porsche to perform with regular gas. Don't short-change yourself on dies, they are a very important part of the process.

 

[204shooter]

Not wanting to split hairs, but Midway has Redding type S match 3 die set for $165 and the $75 was for 3 bushings.

Aside from that, I got 2 votes for Foresters, but more importantly 2 votes for match grade. I think my mind is made up. Match it is.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[MGYSGT]

Can't say for sure, but last time I looked at the Clearance items of Midway, it seemed that almost every item there was a Forester product. Mostly dies. Might look there for a bargan.

 

[in2deep]

Don't forget that Harrells can make you a semi-custom full length die that uses bushings for the neck tension for about $75.00. without a long wait. Wish I went that route first!
Didn't realize till I got one that the Forster full length die has a fixed neck size and really overworked my brass. i think the redding fl dies have the interchangable neck bushings if that matters to you.

 

[bozo699]

204shooter: Your estimate on the cost of a good set of dies is a little on the high side, and bushing can certainly be bought for less than $75. When possible I try to use the plain steel at approx. $12 each, and a minimum of 2 should do nicely for you. I second what Ron says about Forster dies, they are excellent and priced a little lower than others. Also like their die lock rings, easy to adjust, unlike the "old fashioned" designed that have the set screw into the 7/8" x 14 threads. Loading the 6BR with standard dies, is sort of like trying to get a Porsche to perform with regular gas. Don't short-change yourself on dies, they are a very important part of the process.

204shooter,
Frank and Ron said everything that needed saying, glad to see you going that route.

in2deep,
The Forster also have bushing dies and in my opinion are nicer and the bushings are a little more precise on exact dimensions that is wrote on the die,... unlike the Redding that may say .267 but actually measures .2675
Wayne.

 

[MarkS]

204shooter,

All you need is a F/L bushing die and a seater die. I like the Harrel F/L best. What I use is a Harrell/ Redding F/L die and a Wilson seater with a arbor press.

Mark Schronce

 

[bozo699]

204shooter,

All you need is a F/L bushing die and a seater die. I like the Harrel F/L best. What I use is a Harrell/ Redding F/L die and a Wilson seater with a arbor press.

Mark Schronce
[/quote
Good combo Mark, I use a Redding or Forster F/L die and a wilson seater, I would like to try a Harrell some day.
Wayne

 

[DennisH]

Harrel's, how do you locate the company? Can he make a set for a 6brx?

 

[MarkS]

http://www.harrellsprec.com/ No 6BRX 6BR and PPC only.

Mark Schronce

 

[65BR]

I have shot a sub 1/2" group at 330 yds using FL 2 die set, partial sizing Lapua brass.

Same dies loaded ammo that grouped in the 2s....at 200 yds....

I like to K.I.S.S., never turned brass either........enjoy shooting more than l loading. I don't shoot formal competition, but did win a local BR match once shooting out to 415 yds....same dies.......

YMMV

 

[204shooter]

Redding Type S FL dies are on the way, as well as a .266 bushing. May need another bushing, but we'll see how that one does with blue box lapua.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

[fdshuster]

204shooter: .266" bushing is working fine with my blue box Lapua 6BR.

 

[204shooter]

204shooter: .266" bushing is working fine with my blue box Lapua 6BR.

Thanks for the reassurance.

 

[jo191145]

Frank

By mistake I put a .266 bushing in my die this spring as opposed to a .268, using old cardboard Lapua
Sized all my brass and began seating before I obviously realized my mistake.
Short story.... ended up bumping the charge .3gns and I never looked back.
Gun has never shot better with .004" (roughly) tension.
I say roughly cuz I never bothered measuring the "exact" difference.
One day before the start of comp season, all brass is sized. Choices as I saw them wert go with it or shoot them all before morning and start over
Gun shot so well all season it still has a .266 bushing in the die. ;D