Which 6.5 Creedmoor Dies do you recommend?

PunchinPaper · June 22, 2012, 10:04 AM

Hi, I just got a 6.5 CM Ruger Target Rifle.
It shoots great groups with factory ammo, I have been whittling down the two cases of ammo I bought. Now its time to hit the bench, but before I do I need to pick up some dies. So... What dies are you guys using?
What do ya recommend and why? I use RCBS dies for the majority of my reloading, mainly handgun and a couple rifles (270,308,30-06).
I also have a couple of Lee Collet dies for 30-06 & 243 that I like to use.
For the most part my reloading of rifle ammo has been with FL dies and sometimes i partial neck size for my bolt guns. I know some may frown upon that type of practice, but hey my results have been very pleasing. I am trying to get into precision reloading like i know most of the LR guys do. So now I'm here for help.. Should I just go with FL RCBS and partial size like I have been with other cals or get some high dollar comp dies? Money isn't a factor here as I want what works the best. Any input is welcome. Thanks

bigamehunter93 · April 6, 2013, 06:37 PM

I need the answer to this same question.......^^^^

57K · April 6, 2013, 09:05 PM

I don't load it, but I was pondering the same question last night. I'd love to hear more about the cartridge as I noticed that Ruger is chambering rifles for it as well as Savage. In any case, when it comes to dies, I look at REDDING first. They should have what you're looking for and Midway or Graf & Sons should stock them.

reynolds357 · April 6, 2013, 09:12 PM

I have the Hornaday full length set for my Creedmoore, but its a hunting rifle not a bench rest rifle. They work fine. No complaints. Not B.R. quality, but they did not cost $200+ so I don't expect them to be.

603Country · April 6, 2013, 09:53 PM

Regarding dies, recently I bought and used several types of sizing dies for my 223 to see what gave me best accuracy. I went from least expensive (Lee Collet) to rather expensive (Redding FL bushing die). I got best accuracy using the Lee Collet die. That doesn't make my testing the final answer to what works best for you, but since the Lee die is the cheapest, you might as well start with that one. I loaded and shot enough ammo from that die and the others that when the smoke cloud drifted away, I was quite sure of the final result - Lee Collet Die won. I fired hundreds of reloads to get to that conclusion.

That said, pretty much any of the available dies will give you good ammo if you set it up and use it properly. For my rifle, in order, from most accurate to least accurate: Lee Collet Die, Redding FL Bushing Die, Redding FL Die (standard type), Redding Neck Sizing Die (standard type), Redding FL Die used for Partial Resizing. Partial resizing works best on cases with more body taper than the 223 case has. Partial resize a case with little taper and you will most likely cause the case shoulder to move forward, causing some degree of crush fit when you close the bolt. I believe, right or wrong, that when the shoulder is forced into the end of the chamber, you are negatively impacting accuracy.

oldscot3 · April 7, 2013, 09:14 AM

Lucky you. I bought a scope, brass, and Redding dies. I have 600 bullets on hand just waiting for my Ruger 77 Target in 6.5 Creedmore. Now I can't find a rifle anywhere.

BTW I had to pay full retail from Sinclair to get the dies. They were the only place with them in stock when I bought.

Jimro · April 7, 2013, 09:28 AM

The best dies?

I've reloaded using Lee, RCBS, Hornady, and even Herter's (I found a set of Herter's 6.5x55 dies used). Honestly you'll be able to make quality ammo with any set of dies.

Looking through Midway's offerings, I picked out three by price range.

Hornady's basic offering: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/543...t-65-creedmoor

Hornady's better offering: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/160...t-65-creedmoor

Although if money weren't an option, this would probably be the set I would buy. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/292...t-65-creedmoor.

The three hundred dollar Redding competition set of reloading dies is probably worth every penny, but I can't see paying 300 dollars for a set of dies at this point in my life.

Jimro

June 22, 2012, 10:04 AM	#1
PunchinPaper Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 148	Which 6.5 Creedmoor Dies do you recommend? Hi, I just got a 6.5 CM Ruger Target Rifle. It shoots great groups with factory ammo, I have been whittling down the two cases of ammo I bought. Now its time to hit the bench, but before I do I need to pick up some dies. So... What dies are you guys using? What do ya recommend and why? I use RCBS dies for the majority of my reloading, mainly handgun and a couple rifles (270,308,30-06). I also have a couple of Lee Collet dies for 30-06 & 243 that I like to use. For the most part my reloading of rifle ammo has been with FL dies and sometimes i partial neck size for my bolt guns. I know some may frown upon that type of practice, but hey my results have been very pleasing. I am trying to get into precision reloading like i know most of the LR guys do. So now I'm here for help.. Should I just go with FL RCBS and partial size like I have been with other cals or get some high dollar comp dies? Money isn't a factor here as I want what works the best. Any input is welcome. Thanks

April 6, 2013, 06:37 PM	#2
bigamehunter93 Member Join Date: March 27, 2010 Posts: 55	I need the answer to this same question.......^^^^ __________________ " It's easier close the distance by pulling the trigger than by walking 800 yards up the mountain, that is, if your gun will let you."

April 6, 2013, 09:53 PM	#5
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Regarding dies, recently I bought and used several types of sizing dies for my 223 to see what gave me best accuracy. I went from least expensive (Lee Collet) to rather expensive (Redding FL bushing die). I got best accuracy using the Lee Collet die. That doesn't make my testing the final answer to what works best for you, but since the Lee die is the cheapest, you might as well start with that one. I loaded and shot enough ammo from that die and the others that when the smoke cloud drifted away, I was quite sure of the final result - Lee Collet Die won. I fired hundreds of reloads to get to that conclusion. That said, pretty much any of the available dies will give you good ammo if you set it up and use it properly. For my rifle, in order, from most accurate to least accurate: Lee Collet Die, Redding FL Bushing Die, Redding FL Die (standard type), Redding Neck Sizing Die (standard type), Redding FL Die used for Partial Resizing. Partial resizing works best on cases with more body taper than the 223 case has. Partial resize a case with little taper and you will most likely cause the case shoulder to move forward, causing some degree of crush fit when you close the bolt. I believe, right or wrong, that when the shoulder is forced into the end of the chamber, you are negatively impacting accuracy. Last edited by 603Country; April 6, 2013 at 10:05 PM.

April 7, 2013, 09:28 AM	#7
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	The best dies? I've reloaded using Lee, RCBS, Hornady, and even Herter's (I found a set of Herter's 6.5x55 dies used). Honestly you'll be able to make quality ammo with any set of dies. Looking through Midway's offerings, I picked out three by price range. Hornady's basic offering: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/543...t-65-creedmoor Hornady's better offering: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/160...t-65-creedmoor Although if money weren't an option, this would probably be the set I would buy. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/292...t-65-creedmoor. The three hundred dollar Redding competition set of reloading dies is probably worth every penny, but I can't see paying 300 dollars for a set of dies at this point in my life. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

April 6, 2013, 09:05 PM	#3
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	I don't load it, but I was pondering the same question last night. I'd love to hear more about the cartridge as I noticed that Ruger is chambering rifles for it as well as Savage. In any case, when it comes to dies, I look at REDDING first. They should have what you're looking for and Midway or Graf & Sons should stock them.

April 6, 2013, 09:12 PM	#4
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I have the Hornaday full length set for my Creedmoore, but its a hunting rifle not a bench rest rifle. They work fine. No complaints. Not B.R. quality, but they did not cost $200+ so I don't expect them to be.

April 7, 2013, 09:14 AM	#6
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	Lucky you. I bought a scope, brass, and Redding dies. I have 600 bullets on hand just waiting for my Ruger 77 Target in 6.5 Creedmore. Now I can't find a rifle anywhere. BTW I had to pay full retail from Sinclair to get the dies. They were the only place with them in stock when I bought.