Dies for a 300 Win.???

Big joe · #1 03-30-2005, 02:15 AM

Just bought a new rifle and need to buy a set of dies for it... Give me your opinion of the brands you have used... I've only used Lee(cheap) dies in the past... but I wonder if dies are like scopes...i.e. "It pays to pay more" ... anyway ... tell me what you think...

Thanks for your info...

338winmag · #2 03-30-2005, 02:56 AM

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Jack · #3 03-30-2005, 10:29 AM

I've used just about every brand of dies on the market at one time or another....
Yeah, you get what you pay for. Dies like RCBS and Redding cost more than Lees, but do give you a die that's better finished (polished) for one thing- and backed by a great warranty.
The Lees will produce good ammunition, so it's up to you to choose what you prefer.

Rocky Raab · #4 03-30-2005, 10:43 AM

For any regular hunting application (meaning no target competition), any of the popular brands are perfectly adequate.

And may I suggest that you click on the HuntingTrader banner across the bottom of the page when you get ready to order? They're our sponsor and I've seen RCBS 300 Win Mag dies offered right there.

iwerk2hard · #5 03-31-2005, 02:44 AM

Quote:

I've only used Lee(cheap) dies in the past... but I wonder if dies are like scopes...i.e. "It pays to pay more" ... anyway ... tell me what you think...

Yes, it pays to pay more IF you need more, Jack and Rocky are both right.
I use a lot of Lee dies as well as other Lee reloading equipment. Their guarantee is very good and their tools will easily produce ammo that will shoot better than I can. If you've been happy with "cheap", your needs haven't changed much and you don't have a lot of money to burn, why not stay with what you know has satisfied you before?
Some guys have nothing good to say about the lower price stuff, some are indifferent and some swear by it. (Some swear at it.)
BUT, if you happen upon a good deal on any brand, give it a try, they're all good.
(I don't think there are any that are generaly regarded as "bad", are there?)

Rocky Raab · #6 03-31-2005, 09:38 AM

Well said.

I would advise staying away from "gun show specials" of cheap used dies, though.

I managed the gun and loading department of a large pawn shop for years. We got a LOT of trade-in dies, whole reloading rooms of stuff in widow sales and even buyouts of whole stores.

It was very common to find used dies that were rusty inside, or had "stuff" imbedded in the sizers. Any such die is good only as a paperweight, believe me. Rusty or crudded dies cannot be buffed or polished out without ruining their dimensions, and they'll ruin every piece of brass that gets run into them. Sometimes the first piece of brass inserted gets so stuck it's there forever!

New dies of any make are fine. BTW, have you ever wondered what that little circle of cardboard in a die box is? It's a vapor disc. It releases a rust-preventing vapor, and it is good for years.