[biglucky]

What die's do the reloaders here use??

I have been reloading pistol ammo for years for my competition guns. I use Redding competition dies for my handgun reloading. I have been shopping for dies for beginning to reload 6.8 and am wondering if it is worth it to buy the Redding dies for this.

 

[tbready]

RCBS small base dies seem to be really good. Midway has them for $40 a set.

 

[rushca01]

RCBS small base dies seem to be really good. Midway has them for $40 a set.

This is the route I went. Ordered last night.

I wouldn't buy competition dies as they are more than likely to be used for bolt action guns. You want the small base dies as they resize for semi auto and auto guns.

 

[tbready]

I had already purchased a set of RCBS full length dies before I read about the small base dies. I measured my brass after resizing and it seems to be real close to the small base specs.

 

[rushca01]

I had already purchased a set of RCBS full length dies before I read about the small base dies. I measured my brass after resizing and it seems to be real close to the small base specs.

It should only be a few hundrenths off. Do they cause any problems? I have a set of RCBS full length in .223 that I bought before I knew about small base dies but haven't had a chance to use.

 

[biglucky]

Quick I just ordered a set of those.. Thanks guys.

 

[tbready]

It should only be a few hundrenths off. Do they cause any problems? I have a set of RCBS full length in .223 that I bought before I knew about small base dies but haven't had a chance to use.

Still waiting on more supplies to finish. So I have not gotten a chance to check them yet.

 

[ZA206]

I looked into this and purchased the new Hornady New Dimension dies for my 6.8. i also got the micrometer seater attachment for the top of the die so that I could easily dial up the OAL for particular loadings. I figure this will be handy when loading them long for the PRI mags that I'll get.

-ZA

 

[BISCUT]

I have used H-Day and Redding. All good to go. I do use the Redding Comp Seater in multiple cal's. It works very well. FWIW I have measured concentricity of loaded rounds and see a very negligible difference between H-Day and Redding dies across 14 cal's. I would go whatever is cheaper.

While I understand the premise of small base dies, I don't think they will give you any real advantage in any of the 6.8 chamberings. Just my opinion. Tim, Constructor, and Paulo will know more than me.

 

[biglucky]

Well if the small base dies don't work out they have the fact that they are cheap going for them.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[tbready]

Paulo just bought a set and he is very happy with them, so I'm sure they will work out.

 

[paulosantos]

Paulo just bought a set and he is very happy with them, so I'm sure they will work out.

Yep. I got the Small Base Dies for the 556 and 68 and I like them better than the Hornady.

 

[LKirchoff68]

The RCBS small base dies are a must if you want to take preventative measures against any potential sizing issues. When I first started loading for the 6.8, I purchased the RCBS FL die set. At first they worked just fine. However, when I purchased my second 6.8 upper and started to load for it, rounds would get stuck in the chamber and not extract. After discussing the issue with some of the people here on the site, I bought a small base die set from midway. Ever since, I haven't had any problems with cartridges not extracting.