Newbie with a 308

[jtw1952]

I purchased a Savage Palma rifle, 13 twist, from one of the members here over the summer. I haven't been able to shoot it yet but want to get started on the reloading equipment. I have loaded shotshells for years but this is much more exacting and looks like a lot of fun. My first question, is what die set to buy? I have a Hornady single stage press I bought new at a great price. I have liked Hornady products over the years for shotshells so stayed with the brand for metallic.
There are two other threads going on about the 308 about dies, etc but didn't want to hijack their threads so started my own.
I am leaning toward Redding dies from what I have learned from this forum and the two other threads going on now. I have Birthday pricing in September through Midway USA and need some direction on how to proceed.
I am looking at the following: Redding Competition Bushing 3-Die Neck Sizer Set 308 Winchester http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=792423
Redding Type S Match Bushing 3-Die Neck Sizer Set 308 Winchester http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=357095
I am open to any and all suggestions as I am just getting into this and have no experience on precision metallic reloading much less metallic reloading in general.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Jeff

 

[338Lapua]

I have a couple of Redding Competition Bushing sets. Both die sets you have chosen will produce good strait ammo. I would also take a look at the forester Ultra Micrometer Seater similar to the Redding seater. They also make a Bushing Bump Neck Sizing die.

The Redding Competition set gives you the micrometer adjustment on both dies for a few extra bucks and weather you think its worth the extra $ is a personal choice. I think its worth the extra money to have precise control over how far down the neck you size.
I have been very happy with both of my Redding Competition Bushing sets.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Hey, i'm trying to figure out most of the same thing, i got the other thread goin' on collet dies. The one thing i know for certain is than i am going to get a redding competition seating die.

 

[jtw1952]

338 Lapua...thanks for the confirmation as to where to start. Thanks for the suggestions on the Forster dies too.

jpspeeddemon...I needed a starting point and I didn't want to hijack your thread and take the guys off focus as I am watching that thread too.

 

[jo191145]

Jeff
Many might disagree. I personally go with a Redding S series die for any factory rifle I want to shoot accurately. Thats a FL die with bushing.
I full length size everything now. Once bought into the necksize only side of the coin.
My opinion, a "properly headspaced" FL die will give any shooter the consistency require to develop accuracte loads. Brass lasts just as long if not longer.
I buy one die (money saved) and several rifles both custom and factory have told me thats as accurate as its ever gonna get.

The problem you'll encounter with your Sav is hardening of the necks due to the great neck clearence.
Thats life with a factory barrel. I currently have a Sav factory tube with a tighter chamber than my custom Palma gun. Except for neck clearence that is. Gotta learn to deal with that.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Jeff, its all good, i'm watchin this thread as well.

 

[lmorrison17]

I'm on board FL sizing all the time as long as the dies fit the chamber well. But bushing dies never give me as good results as I get with non-bushing dies.
Larry

 

[jonbearman]

Why not just by the forster dies and send them 4 or 5 fired cases and ask them to hone the die to give you .002 thou neck tension.Then you dont have to screw around tring to find which bushing works for your current rifle. Dedicate the sizer to the rifle and never look back at half the price on a set. They will custom hone your die for free or a nominal fee,cant remember and they are real nice people to deal with. Redding is cool too but quite abit more expensive. Just a thought and if you go with redding they will do a fine job as well. They are both great companys and redding is only 2 hours from me.

 

[jtw1952]

Thanks everybody for your suggestions and taking the time to share your thoughts. I checked into the Forster dies but everybody was out of stock on them so I went with the Redding Competition dies. I'll try those on the 308 and see how I come out. Looking forward to getting started. Thanks again everybody.

Jeff