Your suggestions for 30-06 dies

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Hey everyone,

I am here today to try to get some suggestions for 30-06 dies. I have been using and enjoying my Dillon dies in 9mm and have loaded 15,000 rounds with them.

Now I am thinking of getting into 30-06. I have a Remington 700 ADL that will be using to send the rounds downrange. There are so many options including 2 and 3 die sets.

What should I be thinking about or weighing in my mind while researching and/or making my choice?

Thank you High Road.

 

[guns3738]

I use a hornady custum grade 2die set. I like it but dose not include shell holder.
hope it helps

 

[300Whspr]

You absolutely can't go wrong with Redding, I would pick the 3 die set with the neck sizer. But, they are pricey... but it shows in the workmanship on them.

Most any brand of dies will help you load good ammo... it's mostly just a matter of preference.

I think my 30-06 dies are actually Hornady dies... Must have had some light loads in the wallet back when I got them

 

[LeonCarr]

Another vote for Hornady.

Inline bullet seater, tapered expander, and a nice storage box. A very user friendly die set at a good price. Yeah you have to buy a shellholder but those are inexpensive.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[alexcue]

Just to be different...

Lee Ultimate Die Set... it's a four die set, which includes collet neck size die. Perfect if you just want to bump the shoulder for your bolt action type rifles.
Also has the FCD included. Pretty good value and pretty darn good dies.

 

[Reloadron]

Hornady, RCBS, Redding, Lee are all going to get the job done. Pretty much a matter of features. Lee for example includes a shell holder and keep in mind if you buy a brand that does not include a shell holder you may want one. You cal also get fancy with dies like the RCBS Competition 2-Die Set 30-06 Springfield or similar offerings from other manufacturers. Depends on how fancy you want to get?

<EDIT> I forgot to mention there are also die sets like the Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 30-06 Springfield which includes a Lee FCD (Factory Crimp Die) for those into factory crimp. So it really depends on what you want or feel you need in a set of loading dies. </EDIT>

Ron

 

[Bart B.]

As best accuracy with reloaded .30-06 cases in its heyday of winning matches and setting record was a full length sizing die properly set up and used. Most any seater dies will do very nice if the right sizing die's used and set to size cases without an expander ball and bump fired case shoulders back about .002" for long case life and best accuracy.

RCBS and Redding both make excellent ones using bushings. Get a bushing diameter about .002" smaller than that of a loaded round's neck diameter. Or a Forster full length sizing die from them having it's neck honed out the same.

All the top ranked competitors tried all sorts of other sizing dies and none get the results full length sizing dies do.

No other sizing die makes case necks centered precisely on case shoulder and body axis; seated bullets are straighter in the cartridge when they start into the barrel's rifling.

 

[MtnCreek]

Dillon will be a small base sizer, so that wouldn't be my first choice for a R700. I would be looking at standard die sets (not bushing dies). Will you be loading this on a dillon press?

 

[Catpop]

RCBS and Lyman great. Just called RCBS today for a missing part. Shipped free to me by return mail. Never had a problem with either one.
I use Lee also.

 

[zb338]

I would worry more about the 700 ADL than I would the die manufacturer.
I had a 700 ADL lightweight with a short barrel. I couldn't get the gun to
shoot no matter what I did. With luck I could nail a 2 gallon oil can from
the bench rest at 100 yds.. I couldn't get rid of that gun quickly enough.

Zeke

 

[cheygriz]

Redding, all the way!

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

I appreciate the replies guys. I have some follow up information and probably more questions now too.

I will likely be loading 30-06 ammo on my Redding single stage. I have one of their powder measures too and really like the equipment.

Are 2 die sets the most common? A full length sizing die and then a seating die that crimps if necessary?

As best accuracy with reloaded .30-06 cases in its heyday of winning matches and setting record was a full length sizing die properly set up and used.

I was surprised by this advice Bart B. I have seen so many posts over the years where people say the best is to just neck size if you will be using just one bolt action rifle. However, the explanation where you said the full length die makes the neck line up on center makes sense.

Most any seater dies will do very nice if the right sizing die's used and set to size cases without an expander ball and bump fired case shoulders back about .002" for long case life and best accuracy.

RCBS and Redding both make excellent ones using bushings. Get a bushing diameter about .002" smaller than that of a loaded round's neck diameter. Or a Forster full length sizing die from them having it's neck honed out the same.

Bart B....while I understood the first quote above, I do not understand this quotation. Can you expand on that?

Also, MtnCreek you indicated immediately after not to get bushing dies.

I guess I am not familiar with the terminology yet even though I have been loading pistol ammo for a couple of years.

So is it not a simply as going out and getting this set Redding set

Also, I am confused about the mention of small base dies?

Thanks for all the help

 

[Walkalong]

This set.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/266593/redding-type-s-match-bushing-2-die-set-30-06-springfield

No expander ball, it uses bushings, but still full length sizes. Adjust it to move the shoulder .002 or .003. Some do less for a bolt gun, but getting exactly .001 all the time is next to impossible. Getting .002 average is good for bolt guns. I adjust the sizer for an average .003 for ARs (Standard or bushing style) and it works well, giving good case life. Primer pockets loosen long before any other problems show up.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have used RCBS for .30-06 for 25 years. I have full length and neck sizing dies. For my 700, I generally neck size only....with that said, I have Lee dies in other calibers and have not been disappointed with them.

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Walkalong,

Those are a little more than I wanted to spend, but not out of the ballpark. Can I get it done with these? What are the differences.....a little precision?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/180677/redding-deluxe-3-die-set-30-06-springfield

 

[Walkalong]

You can get it done quite well with these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/264330/rcbs-2-die-set-30-06-springfield

They'll likely load ammo as good as your rifle can take advantage of. There is a lot more to accuracy and shooting accurately than a die set.

It is the set I use for .06.

Now, for my FN-SPR in .308 I use a Redding bushing Style FL sizer, a Forster Micrometer seater, and match bullets, but I expect more out of it, and it can deliver.

 

[MtnCreek]

Also, MtnCreek you indicated immediately after not to get bushing dies.

Bushing dies will be more costly and could cause some problems depending on the amount of neck dia reduction.

$30 will get you loading for the -06:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/264330/rcbs-2-die-set-30-06-springfield

Also, I am confused about the mention of small base dies?

Dillon rifle sizers are small base dies meaning they will size the case body slightly more than a non-small base die. Not needed for a bolt action, but doesn't really hurt anything either.

 

[Reloadron]

Hey everyone,

I am here today to try to get some suggestions for 30-06 dies. I have been using and enjoying my Dillon dies in 9mm and have loaded 15,000 rounds with them.

Now I am thinking of getting into 30-06. I have a Remington 700 ADL that will be using to send the rounds downrange. There are so many options including 2 and 3 die sets.

What should I be thinking about or weighing in my mind while researching and/or making my choice?

Thank you High Road.

So you only want or need to reload 30-06 Springfield for a Remington 700 ADL .30-06 Springfield Bolt-Action Centerfire Rifle. We are not talking loading match quality ammunition for a match quality rifle. For this reason I do not see you needing dies that cost upwards of half of what the rifle cost nor do I see a need for such dies, All I see a need for is a simple two die set like Walkalong and others have suggested. Bushing dies are very nice if you are loading for precision match quality type rifles, they are not really needed for what you plan to do and the rifle you plan to do it with. Not in my humble opinion anyway.

Ron

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The problem with asking this type of question, you are going to get what everyone uses as "the best." In reality, any set of dies will do a good job and produce quality ammo. The choice is how much you want to pay and what features you are looking for.