Standard RCBS seater die vs LEE dead length bullet

[JimFromTN]

I am getting back into reloading for my 300 win mag. I have a standard rcbs 2 die set which comes with a seater die. I have purchased a lee factory crimp die and now I am looking into a collet neck sizing die. I have a choice of either buying the lee collet neck sizing die by itself or in a set with a dead length bullet seating die. Is the dead length bullet seating die better than the standard seater die? Is there any reason to get the set instead of the individual die?

 

[rdl65]

I have never owned a 300 win mag so forgive my ignorance if this is a stupid question. Why do You need a factory crimp die? Is it because of recoil or the type of gun?

I only load for .223 & .243 both in bolt guns and have never crimped when I load. I know You have to crimp on semi-autos and some others.

 

[JimFromTN]

Its not required. I know people who don't crimp necked cartridges. You can get away without doing it. I have had issue with other necked cartridges where I would drop the box or something else would happen and the bullet would slip inside the brass so I like to crimp them. I realize I probably did something wrong but this just ensures that I don't have those issues. I don't like the crimper that is built into the seating die. The lee factory crimp die is much better.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

You will be just fine with just the crimp die since you already have a seating die.

 

[Tiny]

You will be just fine with just the crimp die since you already have a seating die.

Agree,however if you wanting to upgrade to better seater die the RCBS Comp. is a good one.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

how is the rcbs better? does it have the micrometer adjustments?

 

[Tiny]

The Comp seater dose and it has a cutout that you place the bullet into during the seating process ,you don't have to place it into the case mouth at the start. Much better than there standard seater die.

 

[JimFromTN]

I have noticed with the standard rcbs seater die that there can be as much as a .004 variance. I did not know if the lee seater die was any better. I have heard it could have something to do with the amount of lube used.

 

[Tiny]

I have noticed with the standard rcbs seater die that there can be as much as a .004 variance. I did not know if the lee seater die was any better. I have heard it could have something to do with the amount of lube used.

By the "Bullet Tips" or one of the "Bullet compareing tools" like the Hornady/Stoney Point??

Reason asked the bullets/bullet tips can vary that much or more.

 

[JimFromTN]

I was using a caliper and measuring the overall length.

 

[TiminTN]

Listen to Tiny!!

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Listen to Tiny!!

x2

 

[JimFromTN]

I am building a 308 varmint rifle. I am definately looking into competition dies for it. Who makes a good set? I have looked at RCBS and Redding.

 

[ShamrockIV]

due to variances in bullet length I measure with caliper then play with the seating die

 

[Tiny]

I am building a 308 varmint rifle. I am definately looking into competition dies for it. Who makes a good set? I have looked at RCBS and Redding.

Never used Redding dies but I do know there good real good can't say theres are better than the RCBS Comp.

Back to the Bullet deal... Think I would also be getting that Hornady Comparator Tool and Mod.Cases for it.These measure to the bullet's "oglive(SP)" or the first section that is to full diameter ie .308". This section varies less form bullet to bullet than going by the tips.