SOLD/EXPIRED 300 Win Mag Dies - What to get?

[StrutNut]

I have not loaded rifle rounds in probably 20 years and I know a lot has changed. I am getting back into it with my 300 win mag. I had reloaded a variety of different rifle, handgun and shotgun rounds in the past so I would say I have a starting point of fundamentals but lots have changed. I need to pick up a set of dies after the holidays and I plan on trying the Berger 215's as well as the new Hornady's. I will be on somewhat of a budget initially. What should I look for or avoid in a die set? I think I have most of everything else I need or I can get it quickly but the dies are something I know I dont have.

I have a press, tumbler, caliper, lube pad, ammo reloading boxes, scale, powder trickler, I dont know, there is more. Its all at the folks house and I am heading there next weekend to get it.

All my reloading manuals are outdated so I will be adding that to my need to buy.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I've been loading for my .300WM that I got this past year. I went with a Lee Deluxe die set. I set the die up properly with a Hornaday Headspace tool and it they reload accurate ammo for 200 yards. I have not taken it to 1000 yet but will when I get some more brass, so I can run some testing. Good luck.

 

[Willoughby]

Lee Deluxe die set-is the best you can get imho ymmv
I have a set of forsters br for sale

 

[Predator 22]

Redding deluxe 3 die set or master hunter dies. Site Administrators should do a poll on the different die makers.

 

[class3nfa]

I switched from RCBS to Redding and couldn't be happier. RCBS started useing a plastic lock ring and they suck in my opinion. Don't know why they changed but i won't buy another one

 

[StrutNut]

Thanks a bunch. I would rather get the right stuff the first time.

 

[Rick Richard]

Another vote for Redding

 

[newmexkid]

I used RCBS for years and was happy with them. This past year I started using Redding and Wilson dies and have never looked back!

 

[SidecarFlip]

I switched from RCBS to Redding and couldn't be happier. RCBS started useing a plastic lock ring and they suck in my opinion. Don't know why they changed but i won't buy another one

I can all the lock rings and switch to Hornady lock rings or Redding. Both good.

 

[SidecarFlip]

My vote is for John Whidden bushing or non bushing dies. You get what you pay for and Whidden is top shelf.

I think Lee stuff sucks.

 

[Barrelnut]

I can all the lock rings and switch to Hornady lock rings or Redding. Both good.

+1. The hornady lock rings work great. I put them on RCBS, Redding, whatever dies I have.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have owned every die mentioned here and then some, also customs. I do not use RCBS anymore. I have also owned REDDING COMPETITION DIES that were screwed up from them ( it happens ). But do not think that Lee Dies will not load accurate ammo.... If I was going to buy upper shelf (cost) dies, it would be Widdens.... JMO.

 

[nkyshooter]

I'll echo what Willoughby and Dgd6mm are saying ...

There is 'higher end' out there ... but when I test for 'runout' on loaded ammo, I never get better with my Redding and/or Forster BR dies than I get with the Lee Ultimate set ...

Lee Ultimate 4-Die Set 300 Winchester Mag

For the money - I don't think it is beatable ... and at the higher end, I don't think you'll get any better ammo though it IS nice to dial in exact seating length increments on the micrometer seaters. You can get pretty pretty dang close though dialing on the non-graduated Lee seater.

 

[SidecarFlip]

My vote is for John Whidden bushing or non bushing dies. You get what you pay for and Whidden is top shelf.

I think Lee stuff sucks.

Well, Having gushed about John Whidden dies, I still use the RCBS front load micrometer seater die (it's actually a Pacific Tool copy with the floating bullet guide. I do machine my own seater stems however but I buy the shellholders from RCBS.

I do use Lee straight wall pistol dies. Bottleneck dies, no way and Lee has to have the crummiest lock rings out there.....bar none.