Which die set to use for 300 blk?

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Before I start loading 300 blackout, which die set do you recommend? I usually stick with RCBS. But Lee dies are a lot cheaper. I want dies that I can use to convert .223 brass (Which I have a lot of ) into .300 Blackout (that is doable right?). Lyman and RCBS I know are strong enough for necking that .223 neck, but what about the durability of Lee dies?

Also, is there any bolt action 300 blackouts out there? I usually like a bolt action so that I can expect with a wider array of bullet styles. Also it's harder to size a case right to fit into a semi-auto, whereas a bolt action will take it up. Maybe I should invest in a base-sizing die.

 

[Bandit67]

I use Hornady dies for .300 BO and they work great and you get 100 free bullets.
I don't convert the brass but any of the brands should be fine for that.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

hot get 100 free bullets

What do you mean?

 

[dgod]

I do exactly what you are planning with RCBS dies and they work great, since the Brass is Bottleneck, be sure to lube each case as you are resizing.

Good Luck
Dan

 

[Bandit67]

I use Hornady dies for .300 BO and they work great and you get 100 free bullets.
I don't convert the brass but any of the brands should be fine for that.

What do you mean?

Whoops typo. I meant to say YOU get 100 free bullets. They have a rebate for free bullets when you buy their equipment.

 

[Whiterook808]

I have the Lee dies and they work fine for loading ammo. I buy my brass already converted so I have not tried forming with them. I have seen info that the Lee dies do not work well for forming 300BO from 223. I do not know if that has been addressed by Lee or if it is even true.

 

[bob97]

Also, is there any bolt action 300 blackouts out there? I usually like a bolt action so that I can expect with a wider array of bullet styles. Also it's harder to size a case right to fit into a semi-auto, whereas a bolt action will take it up. Maybe I should invest in a base-sizing die.

Yes there is the ruger american ranch. I think it is decent. I think about 1.5” groups at 100 yds for mine with a 3x scope and factory ammo. Not expensive. I have shot a few deer with it.
Howa i think makes one. I know you can get a Howa barreled action in 300blk. Not sure about cz.

 

[Texas10mm]

I just finished converting over 1000 rounds to 300 Blackout.

I used a Hornady sizing die to reform the brass. I had to remove the expander/decapper as I could not get it to work with it installed.

The dies on the press are Dillon.

To make 300 Blackout I do the following.

1. Sort brass, some brass doesn't make good 300 Blackout
2. Deprime brass using Mighty Armory decapping die
3. Lube brass with lanolin spray and run through Hornady sizing die
4. Clean brass
5. Cut down using mini chop saw
6. Trim to length
7. Chamfer and deburr.


All that to save a dime per round.

 

[Cemetery21]

I have cut them to rough length before sizing. Size/decap, then trim/chamfer/deburr. Expander doesn't seem to get in the way that way.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

All that to save a dime per round.

For me, it'll be a useful purpose for all that .223 brass laying around at every shooting range.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

For me, it'll be a useful purpose for all that .223 brass laying around at every shooting range.

Here's a good thread on which brass is best.
Good, Bad Brass

 

[markr6754]

Here's a good thread on which brass is best.
Good, Bad Brass

Of course, one can always buy a Hornady Neck Turning Tool, and then there is no bad brass. That’s what I did, and it gave me something else to do when all my .223 Rem brass was converted.

This weekend I shot about 60 rounds of Speer Nickel Plated LEO brass that I got for 10 cents a round. The only trouble I encountered converting it was cutting it with my Harbor Freight mini chop saw. A lot of cases spun in my cutting jig, so I had to reset my jig to cut them a bit longer. They trim as easily as straight brass, and load just fine.

I should add...Hornady dies along with Hornady Taper Crimp Die.
5

 

[mstreddy]

I'm using Hornady dies for the 300 Blackout. I case formed a few, and later discovered the "bad case" issue with necks too thick.
I've since bought a couple K of formed brass from a vendor here. One thing that has helped me in determining good fit is the slotted Sheridan case gauge.
Oh, as to bolt action, Remington has the 700 SPS (Special Purpose Synthetic) chambered in it, and with a threaded barrel too.

 

[cfullgraf]

I prefer RCBS or Redding dies for my reloading chores these days.

When forming 300 Blackout cases, like Cemetery21, I shorten the case with a mini cut-off saw first then run them through the sizing die. I then trim the case to final length, clean and then load.

But, since 300 Blackout cases are reasonably available these days, i'd rather buy pre-formed cases. I do like having the backup option of being able to form my own cases if necessary.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I think the coolest 300 Blk rifle is the now no longer produced H&R. 16” barrel and threaded (as all 300 Blk firearms should be) At the time it was a great value for anyone venturing into the suppressed and subsonic ammo hunting gun. Now they have skyrocketed in value.

The Rem 700 SPS-AAC is darn nice too.

 

[rodinal220]

I use the plain old RCBS set, works well. Yes, the the H&R AAC gun is a nice light handy hunting gun if you like single shots and the 300BLK, I like mine!! (needs a trigger job out of the box).

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

single shots and the 300BLK

I don't really like single shot only rifles, unless it's paried with another caliber. Is that what the H&R is ?
A .300 Blackout with a 28 gauge or 410 gauge upper barrel would be freaking cool