Whidden click-adjustable sizing die

[tcoz]

I'm at the point where I'm consistently getting .5 to .75 MOA accuracy at 200 yards from my .308 RPR and .308 Savage 10FCP-SR and I'd like to see if I can squeeze a little more out of them by switching from neck sizing (non-bushing) to f/l sizing with bushing dies.
I'd really like to go with Whidden sizing dies but my finances won't allow one for each rifle.

I'm wondering what your thoughts are about using one of their click adjustable f/l bushing dies for both guns and in addition to swapping out different size bushings, I would only have to change the shoulder setback a click or two to go back and forth.
Would I be asking for trouble trying to use one sizing die for two different rifles? I realize that I could do the same thing by using one of their standard f/l bushing dies (non click-adjustable) but manually putting index marks on sizing dies really hasn't worked out very well for me in the past and I think the clicks might give me more repeatable sizing.
I'm also using different brands of brass for them, Lapua in the Savage and FGMM in the RPR in case that might make a difference.

I'm pretty new to reloading for the best accuracy and these are my first bolt guns so any advice I receive will be appreciated.

 

[FatBoy]

I've use one die to resize multiple chambers for years, 6BR, 6.5x284 and 308win. I use a shim kit under the lock ring with the rifle written on the shim. No reason at all a click die with HS settings recorded won't work just fine.

That said, you're biggest improvement is probably going to be quality barrels.

Good on you for taking the time to learn/eek every bit of performance out of what you have. It's a path many fall off of very early on.

 

[Forum Boss]

The Whidden Die is a great option, offering excellent, user-friendly control over shoulder bump.

To be honest, 0.5 to 0.75 accuracy is very good from a factory rifle with factory barrel. Unless you have already fitted custom barrels to your rigs, I honestly wouldn't waste much time (and ammo) chasing more accuracy with factory tubes. I did that for two years with a Savage with factory .260 Rem barrel. Then I screwed on a PacNor 6BR prefit and the first measured group from the gun was a 0.168 for 4 shots (honest). Never looked back.

 

[Hoodoo]

The Whidden Die is a great option, offering excellent, user-friendly control over shoulder bump.

To be honest, 0.5 to 0.75 accuracy is very good from a factory rifle with factory barrel. Unless you have already fitted custom barrels to your rigs, I honestly wouldn't waste much time (and ammo) chasing more accuracy with factory tubes. I did that for two years with a Savage with factory .260 Rem barrel. Then I screwed on a PacNor 6BR prefit and the first measured group from the gun was a 0.168 for 4 shots (honest). Never looked back.

Nailed it. If your are getting consistently good accuracy from a factory barrel, save that money up to eventually put a good custom barrel on it instead of chasing your tail with the factory barrel.

 

[BoydAllen]

Whidden's new die idea for precise adjustment is brilliant, but for those on a budget there is another way to precisely switch die settings, die shims.

https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...es/skip-s-die-shim-kit-7-8-14--prod33197.aspx

 

[fguffey]

When sizing a case I want to control the amount of air between the case and chamber, I do not want a lot of air but the air I do have must be clean and free of dirt, grit and grime. Click dies? I have dies that have detents and I have dies with adjusters that have resistance to adjusting.

F. Guffey

 

[Dos XX]

When sizing a case I want to control the amount of air between the case and chamber, I do not want a lot of air but the air I do have must be clean and free of dirt, grit and grime. Click dies? I have dies that have detents and I have dies with adjusters that have resistance to adjusting.

F. Guffey

So you have a detented, adjustment resistant die with an air cleaner?

 

[Nature Boy]

I do not want a lot of air but the air I do have must be clean and free

I only drink rainwater and pure grain alcohol

 

[tcoz]

To be honest, 0.5 to 0.75 accuracy is very good from a factory rifle with factory barrel. Unless you have already fitted custom barrels to your rigs, I honestly wouldn't waste much time (and ammo) chasing more accuracy with factory tubes. I did that for two years with a Savage with factory .260 Rem barrel. Then I screwed on a PacNor 6BR prefit and the first measured group from the gun was a 0.168 for 4 shots (honest). Never looked back.

These are the last groups I fired from each rifle. Both are better than my norm but I'm really happy with how everything performs. Yes, they're factory barrels that I painstakingly broke in and spent a lot of time working on seating depth after developing the load. It took about six months although I only get to the range once every two weeks or so.
Are you saying that I shouldn't bother changing sizing dies and just keep everything as is? I guess it's that never ending quest to see just how good the rifles can shoot.


The four shots not counted on the RPR target were scope sight-ins

 

[avidflyer]

So you have a detented, adjustment resistant die with an air cleaner?

WTF

 

[T-shooter]

Similar results with close to the same load. This was after de-coppering the barrel. The 1st unfouled cold bore shot hit slightly low. I used a Savage .308 and the load was Lapua brass, 168g Hornady Match BTHP, Federal Match primers, 41.7g of IMR-4064 and the jump was set at .025" (COL was 2.803"). I don't use IMR4064 any more because it was a bit temperature sensitive. I just use Varget and it's the same load except 42.2g of powder. I shot a .325" (.144 MOA) group at 215 yards with the Varget load but usually averages .500" or a little over for 5 shot groups.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I have my first set of Whidden bushing dies somewhere in the mail. 6 Dasher. I think you will be very happy when you can upgrade to them. I would suggest a set of Wilson Arbor Press dies as an alternative until that day comes. I am of the opinion that expander ball dies make repeatable accuracy difficult all things considered.

 

[fguffey]

I only drink rainwater and pure grain alcohol

There was a bench rester that claimed all a case had to do was fit the chamber like rat scat in a fiddle case, most reloaders have no clue what he meant, he decided it was not a matter of fiddling with the die and press, it was all about the ability of the shooter so I control the amount of air between the case and chamber because I disagreed with the fit between rat scat and fiddle cases.

I took two new rifles to the range with the same chambers and fired both rifles with the same ammo, one rifle shot one hole groups and the other shot groups/patterns like a shotgun. When I checked the chamber I found one rifle that scattered bullets like a shot gun had cases that fit the chamber like rat scat in a fiddle case.

I made a list of factors, the amount of air between the case and chamber was one factor.

F. Guffey

 

[lloydx2]

Rat scat in a fiddle case. Nice. Have to remember that one
Regards Lloyd