Die question for first time reloader

[Hunter1979]

Hello,
I've been reading up on here for reloading advice and tips, but I've still got a few questions. I'm going to start reloading for my .257wby, then eventually my .243, .270, and .300wby.
For my .257... And I guess all my rifles, is it preferable to use a neck sizer die as opposed to a full length die?
Also, I'm thinking about going with the Forster micrometer for my .257, I believe this is a neck sizer die, but I read that it only seats the bullet, it doesn't crimp it. Will I need a separate die to crimp the bullet in the casing? Is there a different set of dies that anyone would recommend?
Thank you for any advice you may give!

 

[Guy Miner]

Welcome Aboard!

You will not need to crimp your bolt-action rifle cartridges. The sizing die you choose, neck or full length, should produce more than enough "neck tension" to firmly hold the bullet in place.

The only rifle cartridges I crimp are those for lever action rifles with tubular magazines. I may also end up crimping ammo for my bolt-action .375 H&H, but the jury is still out on that and at this point I'm experiencing no problems by simple neck tension.

Neck size or full length... Good question. And everybody here seems to have their own opinion.

I tend to neck size for my most accurate rifles, and I believe it helps. I also full length size for most of those rifles from time to time, and that method too produces good ammunition that functions smoothly through the action and shoots well.

I'd recommend starting with a conventional full-length die set. Only change to something else if the ammo you produce fails in some way to meet your requirements.

Again, welcome aboard!

Guy

 

[Vince]

I don't crimp any of my bolt action rifle rounds, even my .338 Win Mag. I think you'll find most here are the same. Most of my rounds are full length resized as I load for hunting more than competition target shooting and need every round to reliably feed.

 

[SJB358]

I use FL sizing dies for everything. I am not a neck sizer at all. I also do not crimp any of my bolt action ammunition. Welcome aboard!

Sounds like you have a good hoard of solid hunting rifles!

 

[Hunter1979]

I definitely use these for hunting not competition.
I was going with the Forster because it looked like an easy way to adjust the length of the bullet seating. I've read that the Weatherby's can be a little picky with oal.
Wondering if anyone could recommend a die set for the .257wby?

 

[SJB358]

Hunter, I tend to run Forster FL die sets if they are available and then Redding and then RCBS. Has no real bearing on overall accuracy. I have alot of RCBS and they work well for me as well. I just like the Forster dies the most. Seem like smoother, easier to adjust dies.

If it were me, I'd likely get the Forster set.

 

[Elkman]

Hunter 1979, I have been loading for a longgggggggg time. I have never crimped a rifle case only pistol. If you are only going to buy one die, you have to get the FL resizing die to keep the case necks from eventually moving forward. But I have both for my most loaded cartridges.

 

[Elkman]

Hunter 79, "all" of my dies come in "green" boxes.

 

[wildgene]

...you can use FL dies to just neck size & occassionally FL size your brass, the more you "work" your brass, the harder it becomes. I usually reserve some "once-fired, FL resized" brass for hunting loads, using older brass for load development & shooting rocks & such. Neck tension from your resized brass should be more than enough w/o a crimp w/ most bottle necked cartridges...

 

[DrMike]

Welcome aboard, Hunter. You've been given some sage advice. Guy quite neatly sumarised all that I might have said. I like Forster dies, and I use the micrometer seating die whenever it is available for my rifles. If I choose to crimp a bullet, I prefer to use the Lee Factory Crimp Die. However, it is not necessary to crimp most bottleneck cartridges if they are not fitted into a tubular magazine.

 

[ElmerThud]

Hi Hunter, There's good advice on here & I can't disagree with what's been said here. We all find slightly different ways of reloading and you'll settle eventually on what works best for you.

For myself, I now only full length resize using RCBS dies and I do use a Lee Factory Crimp die for my .25-06 loads. Careful brass prep helps make everything work out better, so go to it & best of luck.

 

[HOGWILD338-378]

I would suggest getting this Reloader Magazine if it does not cost that much or just sign up on line as I got this with a order from Redding and it is very good information and I will probably sign up for it on line and just get the info but I need to make sure adobe is not needed as this left coast PC iPad does not do flash player? My desktop does so I will end up getting it as they have countless great articles with more info than anyone could imagine! Just dig around in load data and articles and see a few that they have for free as they are good reading and I want them all so I will probably join up as finding someone to mentor you can be hard as schedules never align !
http://www.riflemagazine.com/home/index.cfm

http://www.loaddata.com/articles/index. ... icleType=1
You do not have to get the magazine but I am if it's reasonably priced as once you join the site I think they give you access to articles which I linked above! YouTube is you friend but try to stay with manufacturers videos as they have good info and can be trusted more I would think?

20.00 bucks for 18 issues and that's for all 3 and I guess ya gotta do all 3 ?
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/signup_info.cfm
I think I have 20 for some quality material as if it saved me 20 bucks it will pay for it's self I am sure! Plus ya get to view the online copies before they mail the hard copies for free !

 

[Hunter1979]

Looks like a good deal on the magazines and data... I'm sure that and YouTube will get a great deal of traffic from me. Thanks Hogwild!
Looks like I might just go with the full length set for right now and see how that does, then possibly add the Forster neck die micrometer later. Trying to decide between Redding and RCBS right now.

 

[HOGWILD338-378]

Most All of the manufacturers have the micrometer dies and it's who you prefer and what you need but shooting Competition with a 257 Wby I would probably not worry about them that much! Not many guys shoot the 257 in Competition but the die set you are speaking of will give you all the accuracy you will ever need!

 

[DrMike]

Looks like I might just go with the full length set for right now and see how that does, then possibly add the Forster neck die micrometer later. Trying to decide between Redding and RCBS right now.

The Full Length die set will address all your needs for hunting. Both Redding and RCBS make good dies. Either will serve you well.

 

[Guy Miner]

Redding makes a very good set of dies, available at a good price.

Then again, I don't really have anything against the other brands either... Huh. Real useful info there eh? :mrgreen:

 

[sask boy]

I have switched everything I can to Forester including my dies :wink: I believe they are the best!! I to do not crimp or neck size any of my shells and I seem to be able to be sub MOA on all my loads.
PS. Welcome to this forum I believe the knowledge here is the best of any shooting or hunting site. The people, both men & women are smart :wink: & always will to help out. The humor is also next to none but they do pick on the lefties abit from time to time but that is because there just a few of us here :mrgreen:. One requirement that you will soon learn about is that the 35 Whelen has a special place in the hearts of many here :lol:. So you will be soon invited to join that family as well!!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guybo]

Welcome! Im not a neck sizer either I FL all my bolt guns and have never used a crimp. As for dies, everything I have is RCBS and they have always met my needs.

 

[rick smith]

My standard set of dies is a Redding body die, Redding Type "S" neck bushing die and a Forster micro. seater. I neck size until the cases start getting snug to bolt closure then PFL so the bolt closes easily. Usually that requires a shoulder bump of 0.002". You cannot neck size with a FL die, the body of the case hits the die before the neck is even close to the neck area. I crimp all pistol rounds and only 375 H&H in rifle rounds. My 375 moves the bullets in the mag box deeper into the case if I don't crimp them. Rick.

 

[PJGunner]

Most of my dies are in green boxes but I also use Lyman, Hornaday and even one Pacific and a Herters. :shock:
Properly set up, a full length die will for all practical purposes do it all.

This is how I set up my sizing die for bottleneck cartridges.

1. Take a once fired factory round and blacken the neck and shoulders with a Magic Marker or Sharpee pen. Some people like to smoke the neck and shoulder, but I find the Magic Marker/Sharpee pen a bit better.

2. Carefully lubricate the case.

3. Loosen the lock ring on the sizing die and back off about two turns from when the die is set to touch the shell holder.

4. Size the case. Note where the marks are on the case and turn the die down about a half a turn and size again. Turn down some more, and resize again. What you are looking for is the marks on the blackening just touching the shoulder.

5. Clean the lube from the case and try it in the rifle. It may chamber just a bit on the snug side. If so, turn the die down ever so slightly, lube and size again. Wipe off the lube and try in the rifle. If it slides in as easily as a factory round, you should be good to go. If not, usually one more very slight adjustment should fix the problem.

6. Tighten the locking ring for the die and you're done. You have just set your sizing die up for a custom fit to your specific rifle, rather than a generic one size fits all guns.

Paul B.