Die recommendation for accuracy

[Trick Pony]

Wondering what kind of rifle reloading dies you guys recommend when accuracy is the aim.
Is it worth it to pony up for something like the fancy Redding ones or will any of them do the job?

[dee]

What type of accuracy are we talking about? Most dies are capable of producing very accurate ammunition but consistency is the key. Most any long range people use a bushing die these days to control neck tension and remove the expander to reduce runout. The other popular option is lee collet dies but you don't get anywhere near the control over neck tension. Imo redding makes some of the better dies out of the mainstream players and are my choice before most unless Whidden or one of the high end people are considered. That being said you have to choose how far you want to jump in and your end goal. I don't use bushing dies but I don't have excess amounts of runout either. I also use several sets of rcbs dies with good results but most of those are for hunting rifles with the exception of a 22-250 and it shoots lights out. Consistency is key for accuracy keep brass sorted by headstamp, trimmed evenly, annealed when needed and sized properly and you be on the right path.

[BlackGT]

I use Lee dies for my .308 target and hunting loads. Never had a problem with them.

[elPolloLoco]

For his bench rest rifles my dad uses L.E. Wilson dies with an arbor press. For hunting rifles he uses a 40 y/o RCBS Rockchucker with Lee, RCBS, Forester or whatever other dies he has and feels like using. Like dee said it's all about consistency. My father built a guy a 1/2 m.o.a rifle that he developed a load for and told the guy "load this". My dad can take that mans rifle and shoot a 1/2 m.o.a group with his loads but put the loads in it the other guy made and it's over a 1 m.o.a. Same load, same shooter....it's all about being consistent.

[CJ]

What type of accuracy are we talking about? Most dies are capable of producing very accurate ammunition but consistency is the key. Most any long range people use a bushing die these days to control neck tension and remove the expander to reduce runout. The other popular option is lee collet dies but you don't get anywhere near the control over neck tension. Imo redding makes some of the better dies out of the mainstream players and are my choice before most unless Whidden or one of the high end people are considered. That being said you have to choose how far you want to jump in and your end goal. I don't use bushing dies but I don't have excess amounts of runout either. I also use several sets of rcbs dies with good results but most of those are for hunting rifles with the exception of a 22-250 and it shoots lights out. Consistency is key for accuracy keep brass sorted by headstamp, trimmed evenly, annealed when needed and sized properly and you be on the right path.

I also don't use any of that fancy shit and I did fine in F-T/R. I'm currently doing a little project to explain ^^^ exactly what loco is talking about.

[Trick Pony]

Well, I don't have any high end custom rifles, but I have acquired a few .308s that I'd think should be capable of between .5 and 1 MOA. Just wanting to load some ammo that will allow them to shoot to their potential if I do my part.
Sounds like I don't need anything fancy to achieve that. I am fairly meticulous about consistency when it comes to reloading, so I'll just buy an entry level die set and see how it goes.
I have mostly loaded pistol ammo and .223 in bulk for ARs that aren't that accurate anyway.

[dee]

I would pick up a Redding 2 die set. I've gotten where I fl size all rifle ammo but a minimal amount. I use a bump gauge and bump the shoulders .002 to allow for good feeding. I used to neck size but have moved away from that as you will have to fl size at one point for head space issues and the consistency of neck sizing was lost. It wasn't a large issue but changed my drops a little at distance. One of the more important things for accuracy in my opinion is annealing it also helps extend the life of the brass.

As far as your 308 goes what kind shooting are you going to do? If long range is the goal get bullets in the 175-190 weight range. If just plinking around I'd get something in the 150gr area.

[BlackGT]

The Lee Deluxe 3/4 die sets would serve you well for what you want to do.

[elPolloLoco]

Being able to try a variety of powders and bullets also helps. Barrels can be finicky on what they like and others will shoot anything you feed them. This can become rather expensive though since powder isn't cheap and developing loads can take some time.

[Trick Pony]

The range I go to is only 50-300 yards for rifles, so not real long range.
I have some 168 gr SMK. I have quite a few powders that should work too from what I've been reading - Benchmark, IMR 4064, Varget, Viht N140, and AR Comp.

[dee]

Those bullets will work fine for that. The varget would be my furst choice it is a awesome powder in 308 and similar cased rounds.

[BlackGT]

+2 for the Varget! That's what I use for all my .308 loads. The AR Comp is good for short barrel .308 rifles. It will give a full burn in 16"-18" barrels where Varget will not.

[AnthonyS]

Where can you even get your hands on Varget these days?

[BlackGT]

Where can you even get your hands on Varget these days?

It pops up from time to time. Have to watch all the sites and order as soon as you see it in stock. My friend and I both use it for .308 and have about 12lbs between us but always looking for more...

[dee]

I just opened my last 8lb jugg of varget but have a close friend that stocked up and has about 40lbs on hand if I run low. I think Yale said they got some in tge other day.