help me with die selection

[farminshooter]

Need some help picking some dies for my 6br. I have settled on Redding dies, but need help on deciding wich "series" to get. How do I know if I need a "small base body die" or regular body die. What about bushing neck sizers, regular or type S dies? I bought the gun used and about all I know is it has a .264 neck.

 

[billmo]

I guess the quote "norm" for some shooters is Redding type "S" full length bushing die and the Redding Comp. seater or the Forster Ultra seater. I have both combinations and I am happy with both. I hope this helps. Bill

 

[farminshooter]

What exactly is the difference between "s" type dies and regular dies, and how do you know if you need a small base body die or regular body die?

 

[billmo]

The Redding "S" type die is the bushing type and will require the purchase of bushings separately, but will allow you to adjust neck tension whereas regular dies will not. Small base dies are used for some automatic rifles. It has been said that all reloading for auto rifles should be done with small base dies but I have always faired well without using them. If you go to Redding's web-site or Sinclair International's web-site you will be able to look at all of the different dies. Bill

 

[expiper]

HI Farmhand....we cant answer the ??? 4-U...what are ur chamber dims.??? is it a .471 at .200 line or .468?? that will determine which,reg or small base) die would work best in ur particular rifle....you will have to measure your own feet to find the right pair of shoes....ask the gunsmith if you dont know ...or measure a fired round at the the .200 line...there are a lot of BR variants out there and since yours has a .264 nk it sounds non standard by todays standards of no-turn,long neck Norma chambers......dont buy $$$ the wrong stuff...the salespersons on line or on the phone usually dont know much except part ### beware......hope this helps ...Roger

 

[CatShooter]

Need some help picking some dies for my 6br. I have settled on Redding dies, but need help on deciding wich "series" to get. How do I know if I need a "small base body die" or regular body die. What about bushing neck sizers, regular or type S dies? I bought the gun used and about all I know is it has a .264 neck.

It would help,a lot) if you told what make and who made the rifle - is it a factory 40-XBBR, or made by a smith.

You will have to determine how long the chamber is so you can trim the case to chamber length, less ~0.02.

Sinclair International makes a little thing to determine how long the chamber is...

Go here:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RESDTCL&item=G-243T&type=store

You don't need small base dies - those are intended for other uses.

What you need to start out is a Redding Bushing "S" neck size die, plus a match grade seater - either a Redding Comp seater, or a Forster "Ultra Seater"... you don't need both dies to be from the same maker. I have both and the Forster is the better,and easier) die to set up and read.

You will need to get a bushing for the "S" die - they come in lotsa sizes - the size you need will depend on the diameter of your chamber neck. In your case, with a 0.266 neck, you will need a bushing that is .260 to .261 to start... 260 is the better choice.

If you have a .266" neck, you will need to outside neck turn the cases so the wall thickness is 0.010. This will give you loaded necks that are 0.263" in diameter. That will be plenty of clearance for you.

If you don't know how to neck turn, do a "search" on it here, or ask that as a separate question - it is not hard, it is just a pain in the ass.

,If the rifle has been shot a LOT, it might be worth thinking about having the barrel set back and rechambered with a "no-turn" reamer.)

You will need a bushing for the "S" die - with loaded necks that are 0.263 to 0.264, you will need a bushing that is 260 to get started. Get the "TiN" coated bushings. They are worth the extra few dollars. You may wind up with a few other bushings later, but this will get you loading great ammunition to start with.


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[Talon1959]

This great info. I have a 6 BR McGowen barrel coming for my Savage build and I was wondering about this very topic.

I am getting ready to order my dies and after just buying the Forster Ultra for my .308, it's a no brainer.

 

[farminshooter]

I know I said I was going with redding bushing sizers, but getting a forster,no bushings) and having it honed is starting to look better all the time. Will a forster neck sizing die work on cases that have the necks turned? My example, 6br, .264 chamber, cases neck turned to 9.5 thousands. That would give me a loaded diameter of .262 If i bought a forster neck die honed to .259, and have .0015 spring back, that would give me about 1.5 thousands bullet neck tension, correct? But I am racking my brain trying to figure what would pop out if I put a 6br case with a 9.5 thousands neck thickness into a factory forster neck die?

 

[expiper]

Hi Farmhand...that is exactly why the bushing dies are so polular....no matter what you have ...the bushings can be changed and the die made to work...Roger