Which 30-06 dies should I get?

Rustle in the Bushes · July 11, 2012, 05:58 PM

Ive never reloaded for 30-06 before, just 7.5 swiss. I look forward to this, Im guessing its gonna be alot easier.

But which dies should I buy guys? Its a model 70 bolt action so I think I can get away with neck sizing only, right?

NESHOOTER · July 11, 2012, 07:58 PM

Any top quality die will do the flavor will vary with each person. As it goes with all bottle neck brass sooner or later you will have to full length size as it gets hard to close the bolt on any rifle, depending on the charge for the result you seek.

mrawesome22 · July 11, 2012, 08:06 PM

I like Hornady's sliding sleeve in their seater die. Their lock rings are great as well.

Properly FL sized brass will last as long, and be just as accurate as NS brass, plus they chamber easily every time.

Sent from HenseMod6.

mwells72774 · July 11, 2012, 08:52 PM

I've got a spare set of new RCBS FL dies

Sport45 · July 11, 2012, 09:25 PM

I have no complaints about any of my Lee die sets. The 3-piece Deluxe rifle set gives you a collet neck sizing as well as a full length sizing die. That's a lot of bang for the buck. $33 at Graf's

hooligan1 · July 12, 2012, 05:59 AM

RCBS, is what I go to, for the 30-06. I use some Lee dies, but most I own are RCBS.

1stmar · July 12, 2012, 06:44 AM

I have 3 sets of dies in 30-06, redding, rcbs and lee. I like the lee collet sizing die the best and the redding seating die. The lee seating die seems to give me variation in seating depth I do not get with the redding. The lee dies do seem easier to adjust, perhaps some of the newer rcbs and redding dies are as well. I am really loving the lee collet die. I switched over to the hand press with bushings and I can reload much quicker and with much less mess. The run out is pretty consistent at less then .003. I will be switching to lee collet for 22-250 and 35 rem.

tpcollins · July 12, 2012, 06:45 AM

I started with Lee dies for my .204, .223, .243, ,380 Auto, and .40 S&W - cheap and they seem to work ok I guess. But I decided to buy a set of Redding dies for my .223 AR15 and I was really impressed with the quality of these dies over the Lee that I bought a set for my .204 as well.

Originally I bought a RCBS for my .204 but hated the way the bullet seater set up so I took it back to Cabelas and ordered the Lee. I've never been happy with the results at the range with my reloads versus factory ammo. I have both .204 and .223 loaded up using Redding dies and will be heading to the range to see how these do.

rebs · July 12, 2012, 07:18 AM

I have some rcbs and some lee, I don't see any difference in them. So save some money and buy the Lee dies.

math teacher · July 12, 2012, 12:28 PM

All of the above work well. My 30-06 dies are Herters. Does that ever date me. Like Mrawesome22, I too like Hornady's sliding sleeve in their seating die. It does a great job of lining up the bullet when seating.

July 11, 2012, 05:58 PM	#1
Rustle in the Bushes Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Location: Canada- West Posts: 175	Which 30-06 dies should I get? Ive never reloaded for 30-06 before, just 7.5 swiss. I look forward to this, Im guessing its gonna be alot easier. But which dies should I buy guys? Its a model 70 bolt action so I think I can get away with neck sizing only, right?

July 11, 2012, 09:25 PM	#5
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	I have no complaints about any of my Lee die sets. The 3-piece Deluxe rifle set gives you a collet neck sizing as well as a full length sizing die. That's a lot of bang for the buck. $33 at Graf's __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

July 12, 2012, 05:59 AM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	RCBS, is what I go to, for the 30-06. I use some Lee dies, but most I own are RCBS. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

July 12, 2012, 06:45 AM	#8
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	I started with Lee dies for my .204, .223, .243, ,380 Auto, and .40 S&W - cheap and they seem to work ok I guess. But I decided to buy a set of Redding dies for my .223 AR15 and I was really impressed with the quality of these dies over the Lee that I bought a set for my .204 as well. Originally I bought a RCBS for my .204 but hated the way the bullet seater set up so I took it back to Cabelas and ordered the Lee. I've never been happy with the results at the range with my reloads versus factory ammo. I have both .204 and .223 loaded up using Redding dies and will be heading to the range to see how these do. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

July 11, 2012, 07:58 PM	#2
NESHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 517	Any top quality die will do the flavor will vary with each person. As it goes with all bottle neck brass sooner or later you will have to full length size as it gets hard to close the bolt on any rifle, depending on the charge for the result you seek.

July 11, 2012, 08:06 PM	#3
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I like Hornady's sliding sleeve in their seater die. Their lock rings are great as well. Properly FL sized brass will last as long, and be just as accurate as NS brass, plus they chamber easily every time. Sent from HenseMod6.

July 11, 2012, 08:52 PM	#4
mwells72774 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2011 Posts: 325	I've got a spare set of new RCBS FL dies

July 12, 2012, 06:44 AM	#7
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	I have 3 sets of dies in 30-06, redding, rcbs and lee. I like the lee collet sizing die the best and the redding seating die. The lee seating die seems to give me variation in seating depth I do not get with the redding. The lee dies do seem easier to adjust, perhaps some of the newer rcbs and redding dies are as well. I am really loving the lee collet die. I switched over to the hand press with bushings and I can reload much quicker and with much less mess. The run out is pretty consistent at less then .003. I will be switching to lee collet for 22-250 and 35 rem.

July 12, 2012, 07:18 AM	#9
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I have some rcbs and some lee, I don't see any difference in them. So save some money and buy the Lee dies.

July 12, 2012, 12:28 PM	#10
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 558	All of the above work well. My 30-06 dies are Herters. Does that ever date me. Like Mrawesome22, I too like Hornady's sliding sleeve in their seating die. It does a great job of lining up the bullet when seating.