Hey all,
I am a new reloader, I am purchasing a RCBS kit this week. I wanted to know which dies you all suggest using. I was looking at RCBS dies and Lee Dies but havent read much on others so i am open to hearing your thoughts. I plan to load 308 win and 41 Rem Mag, if i am going to drop more money on one of the two, it would be the 308 dies. the 41 mag is mainly my fun gun that is ridiculously expensive to shoot (hence, reloading). I dont care much for accuracy with the 41, but i really care for accuracy with my 308. currently factory ammo is giving me sub 1" groups at 100 yards.

any help would be appreciated.

thanks!

I have several brands I am happy with. I don't have any Lee dies. I was offered a few for free. I still don't have any. RCBS are good to go.

Lee dies ain't bad but i prefer rcbs or Redding dies
Would suggest getting with someone close to you and let them teach you a lil bit

Best FL sizing dies are made by Forster. Spend a little and get the Forster micrometer seating die also for your 308.

^this. Forster's are worth it. Get you some Unique for that .41 and Varget for .308.

RCBS are good. Lee are fine. I'd personally go RCBS on the .308 dies, and Lee dies with the Factory crimp die in .41 Mag. The Forster's are great, but pricey. x2 on the Unique and Varget.

If you can't find varget, imr 4064 will also shine in 308. So will BL-C2 and Accurate 2460... at least they do in mine.

I've been loading for .308 Win for almost 40 years. Currently using Lee Dies, but have used RCBS (which are still packed up in a box somewhere). IMHO, RCBS sizing dies have worked better in that I have had -some- Lee dies over the years that were not a polished as they could have been and scratched the brass. That is not the case with my current Lee dies. Lee seating dies are easier to work with and adjust, or at least to me.

I've seen no difference in accuracy between those and any other dies- and I would think unless a die were defective, you wouldn't.

Since I am currently loading for 3 different .308 rifles I full length resize all cases-- but for years I had only one and never had an issue with neck sized rounds in my bolt action rifles.

One thing to remember is if you buy RCBS dies you'll also need to buy a shellholder. With Lee Dies the shellholder is included.

Second for Varget and BLC(2)- I have also had very good accuracy (and deer on the ground) with 748, 760, and IMR 3031. 760 is on the slow end for .308 Win, but has been very accurate in all my my .308s. It also gives an impressive fireball from a short barrel!

I’d stay away from the Lee dies, I’ve had some that were fine and some that were rough inside and would scar the cases. Anything rcbs, Forster, Redding and you’ll be fine.

Hey Squeeze, would you share a recipe using 760 please? Thanks.

As said above Lee factory crimp dies are great for certain application but spend the few extra and buy rcbs for your general purpose dies and never feel like you need to upgrade.also I'd be glad to show you the ropes on reloading I've shown several folks to load feel free to pm me on what to order or how to set up and I'd also be more than happy to show you just holler at me it's alot to learn to do safely and make good ammo

thanks for all your help. I will get RCBS for the 41mag and once i am out of my factory ammo, i Will get the Forster or RCBS dies for the 308. Ive been having trouble finding Varget, so i may have to order some (theyre on backorder through Basspro) and get enough to last me a while. I am mainly reloading to save $ on the 41 but also to develop a great hunting load for next fall when i go to Montana for 2 weeks to do antelope and backcountry elk hunts. (luckily BC elk opens 3 weeks before general elk so i will be able to do it all in one trip)

John Taffin whose forgotten more about big bore sixguns than most wrote about powder coating bullets in the latest American Handgunner. Coolwhip container shake bake@400 degrees 10 mins on nonstick aluminum foil and size. Something to think about.

Look at Powder Valley.com for your online powder supplies.

I see Varget everywhere in stores.

I hate to rehash this old conversation. I recently went and bought some H4895 before i saw this, Where about have you been seeing varget? i see you are in decatur area and i drive up to nashville a good bit to see family, if i can, maybe ill swing by somewhere there while i am on my way and pick up a few pounds.

Please tell us which stores, because the online stores I've checked don't have any and Simmons doesn't have any. Simmons told me it will likely be January before they see a shipment of Varget or H1000.

I don’t remember specifically but I think I saw it in Shooters Supply in Cullman. Next time I’ll make a note and let you know.

Willinghams sports in demopolis has plenty of Varget some 1lb and 8lb