for one bolt action rifle, hunting weight barrel, new, for hunting use
don't own any other .308
which set would you start with:
1) RCBS 2 die set, FL sizer
2) RCBS 2 die set, neck sizer
3) Lee 4 die set
I believe I have had or have examples of all the dies mentioned above and then some.
Neck sizing is overrated and I don't do it any longer.
I like RCBS dies (except the X dies) but don't like their lock rings so replace them with Hornady lock rings.
Hornady believes in the one size fits all theory so some of their dies are a lot bigger than they need to be. Their die boxes are also big, slick and clunky so take up too much room and don't stack well; other than that, they're fine.
Lee dies are fine but I don't like their lock rings except for applications where it doesn't matter if the die moves a little so replace them with Hornady lock rings. For crimping, nothing beats Lee Factory Crimp Dies but I wouldn't use them except for crimping Barnes bullets in 308 Winchester loads.
Redding dies are fine but they don't have the little relief hole RCBS dies have so if you use too much lube, you're more likely to collapse the case shoulder with Redding dies.
So, of the die sets you mention, I'd choose number 1 or 3 and replace the lock rings with Hornady lock rings.