What choice of dies

[bench]

Fellas,
Have been reloading for a long time but have always used FL dies and now I am going to get into F/TR 1000yd shooting with a 308 bolt tube gun.
So my question is what type of die should I use to help keep the deminsions of my fired brass closer to my chamber of my new gun.I use Forester dies now and a Forester press and I see they offer three types of dies FL,Bushing bump neck sizing and neck sizing die.
I am thinking about the neck sizing die because it does the neck as well as the shoulder bump.would this be a good choice???
If I use the neck sizing die do you ever have to FL size the body if they start to get to tight to the chamber???
Also I do anneal now and also turn the OD of the necks so I am not opposed to including these steps.
Any help would be good before I start to order all the goodies I need.
Thanks
Bench

 

[amlevin]

I've been using a Lee Collet Die for Neck sizing and haven't really had an issue with my cases growing to the point that they chamber hard. That said, I've added a Forster Neck Size/Shoulder Bump die to my toolbox to make sure that the problem doesn't occur. I now neck size with the Forster, bumping the shoulder back no more than .002" from it's fired dimension then run a Sinclair expander (Oversized) through the necks to make sure the neck tensions are uniform.

Haven't had to full length size any cases for my .308 for a long time.

 

[bench]

Amlevin,

How much do you oversize the neck and how much tension does that leave you with.
Do you do this step because you do not trust the die to do it the same everytime.

 

[amlevin]

Amlevin,

How much do you oversize the neck and how much tension does that leave you with.
Do you do this step because you do not trust the die to do it the same everytime.

I use the expander die merely because I prefer it to any expander ball. In my mind it yields a straighter case neck and as a result, less run-out on the case. The standard Sinclair "oversized mandrel leaves me with .002" of neck tension when I'm loading .308 A-Max and only .001" with Nosler Custom Comp's. For some reason the Nosler projectiles mic @ .307" and the A-Max @ .308. The expander mandrel gives me .306" case necks.

 

[Shynloco]

I am thinking about the neck sizing die because it does the neck as well as the shoulder bump.would this be a good choice???
Bench

Bench,
That statement is incorrect. A Neck Die ONLY resizes the Neck and does not do the shoulders. You have plenty good dies in the Forsters, but need to use the FL Die to bump the shoulders. If you choose to use a Neck Die, you will have to have a method for checking the shoulders as once you get beyond .002, you COULD run into accuracy issues, not to mention eventually have to FL resize anyways because the bolt may not close.

Alex

 

[jlow]

It depends on the die. For example, if you use a Redding Type S Bushing Neck Sizer Die, it will only size the neck. However, a Redding Type S Busing Full Length Sizer Die will size both the neck, body, and shoulders.

 

[bench]

shynloco,
You are correct I think I read the description of the dies wrong on the forester web site.
Will give them a call to see if they offer a die that sizes the neck and bumps the shoulder but does not FL the body.
If not then more questions will follow until i get it figured out.

Thanks
Bench

 

[jlc204]

I am thinking about the neck sizing die because it does the neck as well as the shoulder bump.would this be a good choice???
Bench

Bench,
That statement is incorrect. A Neck Die ONLY resizes the Neck and does not do the
shoulders. You have plenty good dies in the Forsters, but need to use the FL Die to bump the shoulders. If you choose to use a Neck Die, you will have to have a method for checking the shoulders as once you get beyond .002, you COULD run into accuracy issues, not to mention eventually have to FL resize anyways because the bolt may not close.

Alex

Forster makes a neck die that also bumps the shoulder.
http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=27654

 

[bench]

JLC204,
Yep thats the link I checked out today and it sounds like thats just the ticket.
I will still call them to clarify before I purchase one.
Would this choice of die be a good one to use?? I just dont have experience without FL sizing.

 

[Cort]

In my opinion, the best answer is to send some fired cases to Forster (I think) and have them custom ream a full length sizer die to match your chamber. The brass will then be very consistent and match your chamber at the same time. (I think it is Forster that offers that service; one of the major manufacturers does it).

Cort

 

[jlc204]

JLC204,
Yep thats the link I checked out today and it sounds like thats just the ticket.
I will still call them to clarify before I purchase one.
Would this choice of die be a good one to use?? I just dont have experience without FL sizing.

Bench,
I just wanted to point out that forster does indeed make neck die that also bumps the shoulder. I don't have experience with it, so I cannot comment.
Opinions vary on this subject, FL vs. Neck sizing. If you do a search on this site, you'll get gobs of posts. Some guys, like previously mentioned in this thread, don't find a need to size the base/body of the case when using this die. However, it seems many people who run their loads on the hot side find it necessary to also size the body/base of the case as well with a redding body die or FL die. If your going to contact forster, I'd get their opinion.

 

[amlevin]

I recently bought one of these Forster Neck Size/Shoulder Bump dies and it's great. Install the right bushing for your desired neck tension. One operation to neck size and bump the shoulder back as necessary.

A little pricey but it definitely does a good job. Also allows one to leave a little "step" at the neck/shoulder junction if you want to provide better centering of the cartridge in the chamber. Doesn't have an expander ball so if you need to expand the neck for any reason like maybe new or non neck turned brass, they have and optional ball that can be added. I just use the Sinclair Expander die.