Question on dies

[The_Kid]

Hello, I am new to the site and have a question about dies. I am thinking of purchasing either the RCBS X-dies or RCBS Competition dies in .308 WIN. Which dies would you all recommend? I will be using the dies to load for an M1a and FN-FAL. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Winchester69]

The X-die is a conventionally designed die that doesn't give particular attention to neck tension as the bushing-style dies do. The X-die is less beneficial for calibers that have high shoulder angles since those cases don't tend to stretch as much as more gently sloped cases. With the advent of powered case trimmers, the issue is not of as a high a profile as when the X-die was developed.

The RCBS Competition seating dies have a window that makes the placement of smaller diameter bullets easier.

Are you loading ammo to be interchangeable between the two rifles, and are you using mixed brass? These two issues will greatly influence your loading procedure and possibly your choice in dies.

 

[chuckw2]

Kid,
If it were me, I would try a Redding S die. It will FL size the body of the case but uses a removal neck bushing to size the neck.


They might cost a little more than the RCBS, but I think they are well worth it.

Chuck

 

[Winchester69]

If it were me, I would try a Redding S die.

I agree, except that if he's not keeping his brass segregated, the bushing becomes impractical.

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

If it were me, I would try a Redding S die.

I agree, except that if he's not keeping his brass segregated, the bushing becomes impractical.

Why is that?

 

[Winchester69]

Varying neck thicknesses.

Similarly, if his OAL is determined by the shortest magazine length, a micrometer-head seating die doesn't have a great deal of utility.

See where I'm going? At this point we don't know if he needs a Redding Competition set or an X-die with a standard Forster seater.

 

[varmint]

If you are going to be loading for autos then you should be using RCBS small base dies to much sure that they will cycle through your autos.Tim

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

Varying neck thicknesses.

Similarly, if his OAL is determined by the shortest magazine length, a micrometer-head seating die doesn't have a great deal of utility.

See where I'm going? At this point we don't know if he needs a Redding Competition set or an X-die with a standard Forster seater.

At this point we don't know if he's not using high quality brass like Lapua, which has proven to have highly even neck thicknesses.

I wouldn't assume that he's going to restrict all of his loads to magazine length either.

See where I'm going?

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

If you are going to be loading for autos then you should be using RCBS small base dies to much sure that they will cycle through your autos.Tim

Yet another blanket statement that has no factual basis!

 

[Winchester69]

I wouldn't assume that he's going to restrict all of his loads to magazine length either.

See where I'm going?

I'm assuming nothing, and I don't see where you're going. I've perused your previous posts, and you seem to be sane. Perhaps you should explain what it is that you have on your mind.

 

[NorCalMikie]

The "Kid" stated that he will be loading for a M1A and a FN-FAL so the round OAL will be set to magazine length.
I use RCBS full length Compitition dies and a Comp seater for my M1A and Mini 14.

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

I wouldn't assume that he's going to restrict all of his loads to magazine length either.

See where I'm going?

I'm assuming nothing, and I don't see where you're going. I've perused your previous posts, and you seem to be sane. Perhaps you should explain what it is that you have on your mind.

"Similarly, if his OAL is determined by the shortest magazine length, a micrometer-head seating die doesn't have a lot of utility".

Does that sound familiar?

Just read what you've posted! You claim that you're assuming nothing, but your statement belies the truth. In stating what you did you've made an assumption! How do you know that he'll be loading to magazine length, which is nominally 2.80" in the M1A? I don't owm an FAL, but I would think that it's probably close.

I've owned five M14-style rifles including three M1A's. I used to compete in Service Rifle back in the day and of course I loaded both 168 & 175 SMK's to magazine length, but I didn't limit my shooting to that discipline nor did I limit my loads to the standard NM loads of that time.

I've hunted deer, coyote, and rockchucks with a couple of these rifles and some of my best loads used 125 gr. Sierra Pro-Hunters @2.700" OAL, and 130 gr. Speer spitzers @ 2.610" OAL. I've even tried the 155 SMK's @2.725" OAL,they grouped the tightest at this length) in an attempt to see if they would shoot inside the 175 SMK at the 600 yd. line in Service Rifle competition.

So what I have on my mind is this - not everyone who loads a .308 for a gas gun automatically seats his bullets out to maximum magazine length. To presume so is being assumptive.

Now I'll make my own assumption and give you credit for being aware of the benefits of using a micrometer head seating die when assembling loads of varying OAL's

 

[Winchester69]

Please forgive me if my interpretation is is incorrect, but I am concerned regarding the lucidity of Spotcheck_Billy. Please, I hope that someone will intercede and check on the the gentleman. Friends and family. I am genuinely concerned.

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

Please forgive me if my interpretation is is incorrect, but I am concerned regarding the lucidity of Spotcheck_Billy. Please, I hope that someone will intercede and check on the the gentleman. Friends and family. I am genuinely concerned,

What a lame and cowardly way to participate in a debate. So that's how you operate, huh? If you can't defend your position just personally attack the person with the opposing viewpoint.

I'll take this no further out of respect for Paul,the Moderator). This is his house and I'll abide by his wishes.