New to 6BR...check my die selection

[BoilerUP]

Just purchased a 6BR Savage prefit; intended use of the rifle is non-competition targets & steel up to 600yd.

I use a Lee Challenger press, and for most of the calibers I reload for now (principally 223 and 260) I use Lee Collet dies, which aren't available for the 6BR. As such, I'm thinking about going with a Forster Bench Rest 2-Die Neck Sizer set and a Redding Body Die.

Is this a good combination, or should I look elsewhere?

 

[artbosco]

Just purchased a 6BR Savage prefit; I'm thinking about going with a Forster Bench Rest 2-Die Neck Sizer set and a Redding Body Die. Is this a good combination?

In my humble opinion it is not a good combination. Here's why.

Each die you mention above [excluding the Forster bullet seater which is part of the Forster two die set] does only half of the job when you use it, and requires you to purchase two dies for use on the case.

Buy One Die, a Full Length sizing die. Use it each and every time you re-size. When you do, you'll bring the entire case back into its originally designed dimensions. In this case the original dimension of a 6BR.

When you don't full length re-size, you create a mutated cartridge that is no longer a 6BR because its dimensions no longer match those of the 6BR.

Here's your goal and the dimensions you're trying to recreate each time you re-size: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmbr/ Half measures won't do that.

 

[fdshuster]

Tough to beat the Redding Type S FL neck bushing sizer die, and have it adjusted to bump the shoulder back .001" to .002" with each sizing. As outdoorsman said, do it with every loading. Watch that Lee Challanger press. I had one & used it for 45 ACP, only because it was lightweight and somewhat portable. The all important linkage is made from die cast pot metal & the nice round linkage holes will quickly become egg shaped. Mine went into the garbage can in a short time. Their newer heavy cast iron press is of much higher quality.

 

[SS427]

For my 6BR I have a similar die set, only I have the Redding competition setup; neck die, seating die and bump die. I use the bump die about every 5 loadings.

Until just recently I would often get 5 group aggs in the high twos with a couple in the low twos. I would say your setup would work just fine.

Outdoorsman's suggestion is the ultimate setup and what I went with in my 6PPC. I have to admit I like how the cartidges chamber in the PPC. Still working on the accuracy, but I'm starting to think it really is the best way to go. Very expensive though.

 

[noelfr]

I tried several of the combos listed above and they were ok. Checked out Lee site and found that for $60 I could get a custom collet/seater combo fit to my rifle. You send them two cases fired from your rifle and two bullets that you will be using. They send back a collet die and their dead length seater. Takes about 10-12 weeks. I've used their collet dies for years and have had really good results w/ long brass life and very accurate runout. I prefer the RCBS Gold seating die which has a very accurate and repeatable thimble dial. Good luck w/ whatever you pick.

 

[ridgeway]

Harrells sizer die and Wilson seater.

 

[Shynloco]

BoilerUp,
I shoot a Savage Model 12 Benchrest rifle, but do not compete. I shoot this rifle at the range about 2 or 3 times a month for pure entertainment and accuracy. Thats because I'm retired and my eyes aren't what they used to be. As some have said, if you compete, want the best advantage for performance out of your brass, that being each and every piece of brass is as identical as humanly possible AND money is no object, then by all means use a Full Length Sizing Die after each and every shooting. But since I don't have that big wallet and don't compete, what I do is measure the shoulders of each piece of brass after I shoot it used an RCBS Precision Mic. I then use a Redding Body Die and Redding Competition Shell Holders to bump the shoulders and work the brass a minimum amount, thereby increasing the life of my Lapua Brass. In fact, I've reloaded the same 35 pieces of brass now 37 times and none of this brass has seen a FL Die except when it was new and after the first firing. The groups this rifle shoots @ 100 yds are conistently in the .'3s or less with this brass. I suspect I'm the weak link because of my eyes. Just an option to consider since you don't compete.

 

[k80skeet]

I will second the HARRELL'S sizing dies!!! I my opinion there is none better!!

 

[artbosco]

... since I don't have that big wallet and don't compete, what I do is measure the shoulders of each piece of brass after I shoot ... . I then use a Redding Body Die and Redding Competition Shell Holders to bump the shoulders ...

Redding Body dies: Category I: $33.90, Cat II: $41.40, Cat III: $51.00.
Redding Competition ShellHolder [5 piece] Set: $60.
Source: Redding Product Catalog, 2007

Harrell's Full Length Sizing Die: $70.

Which total is less expensive and which tool does a complete job each time regardless of whether one competes or not?

 

[artbosco]

Redding 6BR Body Die- $24.10 here:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0007675115

Redding Competition Shell Holder Set #1- $36.99 here:

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RB11601&src=sim

Dave,

How much was the shipping from each individual source?

Estimated shipping on the first item to me [central USA] is $8.87. On the second, $13.53. Both UPS/FEDEX ground.

Grand total: $83.49

Harrell's $70 die includes shipping. And more important, no mutated case dimensions, thanks to full length sizing.

 

[artbosco]

Dave, Early in my military career, I knew a airman in another squadron who was always failing uniform inspections, that is, until his friends pointed out that just polishing the toes on his shoes was preventing him from passing the first time. It took him quite a few re-inspections but he finally figured it out.

 

[Eddie Harren]

Hee Hee.

 

[lrgoodger]

I tried several of the combos listed above and they were ok. Checked out Lee site and found that for $60 I could get a custom collet/seater combo fit to my rifle. You send them two cases fired from your rifle and two bullets that you will be using. They send back a collet die and their dead length seater. Takes about 10-12 weeks. I've used their collet dies for years and have had really good results w/ long brass life and very accurate runout. I prefer the RCBS Gold seating die which has a very accurate and repeatable thimble dial. Good luck w/ whatever you pick.

I've ordered two of the Lee 6BR neck sizers now. I have Lee collet neck sizers for everything I load. I hate lubing cases and the patented Lee design works great. Also, I got mine back in about 4 weeks both times (one was for a friend). I have a Forster bushing bump die too, but I don't neck size with it. It's strictly for bumping back the shoulder about every five firings.

 

[1066]

I've been impressed with the new Micrometer seating stems to uprate the standard Redding dies.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/06/redding-add-on-micrometer-seating-stems-now-shipping/