Howdy folks.
I have been reloading for many years, but I am about to try my hand at the 30-06 cartridge. I have loaded mostly pistol rds, and also the .223 and 45-70.

I am seeing that Midway is having a sale on RCBS two-die sets. I was thinking of buying a set as RCBS has a great reputation. My question is about the sizing/de-capping/expanding die. Has anyone had any experience with these dies, and what do you think? Should I buy this two die set?

RCBS 2-Die Set 30-06 Springfield - MidwayUSA


Thanks,

WG840

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They work great. Generally, you don't need a crimp die for a 30-06. You do need to lube your cases, however.

RCBS makes very good dies that will last your lifetime and then some. What type are rifle are you loading? In bolt guns and single shots I prefer to just neck size my 06 cases. There is nothing wrong with full length sizing but neck sizing helps the brass last a bit longer and also helps with accuracy. If you are loading for a semi-auto like a Garand or BAR then full length sizing is needed to aid in feeding.

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Guy-Harold Smith II

Hey Wheel-

Ditto on the post above.

I've been using those same dies for years with never any problem. RCBS makes good stuff period.

Like mentioned above, bottlenecked cases need lube. I love Hornady One Shot, but I have seen several people here complain about it.

When reading the posts that are complaining against it, it becomes clear to me that they simply don't use it right. Make sure to spray it at an angle from all four sides, and you'll never have any trouble. I couldn't even begin to count the thousands upon thousands of rounds that I have loaded with it. It just plain works, and it's easy to wipe off after. It also lubes the inside of the case neck which makes resizing much easier and helps keep case necks from stretching whe the expander ball comes back through it. It doesn't contaminate the podwer either if any is left down inside the case.

RCBS equipment is great. I have been using my 30-06 RCBS dies a lot lately loading for my Garand and they haven't missed a beat. Buy them! That's a great price and you will enjoy them.

Don't forget the shellholder when you order!!!

WG,

While the RCBS dies will be fine, Redding products would be a nice upgrade- plus they're closer to you!

Good shooting.

Greg-

my last several sets of RCBS have had one in them.

I know they never used to come that way, but it's what I have experienced in the last couple years.

Still though, it's a good idea to get one just in case. It never hurts to have several of the same one around. I load many different calibers that all use the same shell holder, so Inever feel bad about having extras. (BTW, the '06 uses the same shell holder as the .45 ACP)

Why's that?

I have dies from all the major companies, and my Redding dies aren't any better than my RCBS dies, even though they cost substantially more. They do give you a nice box though.

IMO, dies are pretty much dies. I have several different brands and they all work fine. The only brand I would complain about is Lee--I don't care for their locking rings. I simply ordered setscrew locking rings.

Thanks for all the replies folks.

I will be loading for both, a bolt action, and a semi-auto (not a Garand). I have a set on the way.

Gun 4 Fun, How ya been?

I have Hornady One Shot on hand, as I use it on pistol cases. I know it's not supposed to be necessary with carbide dies, but a quick spray of the stuff and there is almost no resistance when sizing.

I also have several tubes of Lyman and another brand of traditional case lube, and pads. I use this stuff for the 45-70s, and will most likely use it on the 30-06. I may try the One Shot though. Never thought about using it on rifle cartridges.


WG840

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Wheel-

it's funny you asked. I was going to ask you the same thing earlier, but I got side tracked. I haven't seen you around here much lately. I'm glad to see you posting again.

The One Shot is the single best thing I have tried in the last 30 years. It makes the bottleneck cases so much easier to work with.

I originally bought a set of Lee 30-06 dies and they work fine. Last year someone gave me that same 2 piece 30-06 RCBS die set and they are also fine. I've used both and really don't see a difference in the ammo. The price is right on those RCBS dies so I would buy them.

IMO there is no better lube for resizing brass than Imperial Sizing Wax. It's not expensive, it works extremely well and it lasts for ever because a little goes a long way.

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SWCA #3437

I don't think they make carbide dies for bottle neck cartridges.
I have had my RCBS 30-06 dies for 30 + years,still going strong.

I pop in every now and then. Cabin fever right now! I am sure you are buried in snow as well! As you can tell, I am embarking on a few new reloading projects. I know this is going to be costly, because if I start reloading this 30-06 stuff, a Garand can't be too far away!
Thanks for the tip ArchAngelCD!


WG840

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I've been looking at them myself! I always wanted to get one before my dad passed away and let him shoot it since he always spoke fondly of the one he had in the service, but I didn't get to it in time.

Yea, we have some snow, but no where near what we normally do. I know what you mean about cabin fever! I get it bad during the winter months.

Go for it! If it werent for the $$$ ....I'd have nothing BUT RCBS dies here. You wont go wrong with them.

I use the Imperial Sizing Wax for neck sizing. I stick about
every fifth case neck into it and twist a little.

Joe

In my humble opinion as a 25yr tool & die maker myself I think the absolute best dies on the market are Redding. They are also the most expensive , but I think ya get what ya pay for. When I have to buy a set of dies , I immediately think of Redding.

BUT!

If Reddings are a 10 , RCBS are a 9.9. Besides , ya can rarely go into a gun show or shop and NOT find a set of pre-owned RCBS 30-06 dies for less than half the cost of a new set of RCBS. And a new set of RCBS is about half the price of new Reddings.

And , ya can always send then back to RCBS for polishing of any other problems and they'll fix ya up , usually free of charge.

The first set of reloading dies I ever bought was a set of RCBS .30-06 dies. They have worked superlatively for 31 years. I have other die sets by Redding, Lee and Lyman. I like them all. Buy from a major manufacturer. Follow the directions. You will get very good results. In my case, my RCBS dies have produced loads for a variety of .30-06 rifles ranging from hunting loads for my Rem. 700 to match loads for my Remington 1903. I consider the RCBS dies to be simply excellent.

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I didn't know RCBS was now including shellholders. The only dies I've bought in recent years have either been used or Lee dies. I actually prefer the Lee dies because I don't like the little set screw in the locking ring on th RCBS dies. First, I have to dig out an allen wrench, and when you have the die ajusted and hand tight, tightening that screw makes it tight enough you need vice grips to remove the die from the press. I know that knitpicking, but it's the little things that pizz me off.

I didn't like the LEE locking rings at first either,,I got used to them and they don't bother me now. But they're easy enough to change out if they do. I like the dies themselves,,no complaints there. I have several of their sets.
I've got everything else from RCBS, Lyman and Redding to Pacific, Hollywood and Ch & CH4D.
I load 30-06 on Herters dies. The box is marked $2 (probably a gunshop price tag).
Still working fine, I've had them and used 'em for over 30 years. I wonder who actually made them for Herters.

Imperial Sizing wax keeps things from getting stuck.

They advertise them as not coming with the shell holder, but my last several sets have had one. I thought once might have been a fluke, but its happened several times now, and these were all sealed die boxes.

I hear you about the locking ring, but you only have trouble getting it out of the press the first time. After that, they're good to go. I keep a cresent wrench in my tools at my cleaning bench just for removing the die the first time. It saves marring the die with the vice grips (which I have done when I was too impatient to go out and get the right tool).

They don't. My referrence was to my pistol dies. I still use a squirt of H.O.S. on the pistol brass before tossing them into the brass feeder on the XL-650. Works like a charm!


WG840

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I'm glad any time I can help WG840, you're quite welcome...

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SWCA #3437

Dillon has carbide .223 dies. You still have to lube, though.

Other than on my progressive presses (where I do primarily pistol) I exclusively use Redding dies. I think all of the manufacturers now produce a comparable product, but Redding has a long history at the top of the heap so I've stuck with them. I have about 50 sets.

There are also 'neck-size only' dies that use carbide inserts.