Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Redding Type S Dies for .308

I am about to start reloading for the .308 Win and looking to find out what bushing size to use in my Redding type S dies. Anyone out there loading using these dies and make a couple of bushing size suggestions?
Thanks
Elk

That depends on what brass you're using because neck wall thicknesses vary. You could need anywhere from a .330" to a .338" bushing.

I reload .243 win with S bushing die, but the rule is the same. Measure neck diameter of loaded round (take the smallest reading from multiple measurements)and subtarct 0.001". The resulting number is the diameter of the bushing you would need. This may change if different brass brands are used.

I've also heard "subtract 0.002" from some knowledgeable folks.

Click on "Bushing Selection" at the top of the list here:

http://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips

You really should make up a dummy round with the particular brand and preferably even lot of brass you want to load and measure off of that. Also, since we're getting to this level, you might want to check that the particular case you use has an even neck wall thickness.

Read what they say about reducing your neck diamter significantly from it's fired diameter. Besides sizing smaller than you expect you can also get neck runout. They cite .008-.010" reduction but I've seen this effect sizing down .006".

I bought a whole bunch of Redding competition S neck sizing dies, one for each cartridge I load, and from one to three nitride collets for each. They are great dies and I wouldn't try to dissuade anyone from using them who wants to. But to be honest, I've put them all up on a shelf and gone to Lee collet dies for all of my rifles. Less muss and fewer parts to buy and they reduce the inside neck diameter to a standard dimension, not caring what the outside diameter is.

I wish the Lee collet dies came standard with a couple of different size mandrels, and more importantly their manufacture was done with more care and attention to detail.

Don't want to turn this into a Lee Collet die thread, but I have gone the same route that Jim in Idaho has taken specifically with my varmint cartridges. Also, agree with Mathman.