I have heard that there is a preferred die set for 357 sig (Dillon), as I have read that other brands haven't gotten the head spacing correct.
I was wondering if there is a preferred brand of dies for 30-06 and 30-30?
I have mostly Hornady dies for the seven pistol calibers that I load for, and they have been ok as far as I am concerned. I am not opposed to Lee, but the Lee 44 dies I have require much more force to size the magnum cases than do my Hornady 44 dies. Much more force! Strangely, the two seem almost identical as far as the 44 spl cases go. So I'm thinking that maybe I'll stay away from Lee for larger cases.

What do you say? Any one brand of dies better than most for these two calibers?

Thanks.

EDIT:
I should mention that the 30-06 is a bolt gun, a 1903A3

If you are loading for a bolt or falling block then I would go with neck sizing dies to squeak out every last bit of accuracy and help your brass last a few more reloads as the body does not need to expand to fit the chamber for every reload. RCBS neck sizing dies are what many BR shooters use and they do make a quality die. If you are loading for a semi-auto, lever or pump gun then a full length sizing die is best.

RCBS GOLD MEDAL MATCH NECK BUSHING SIZER DIE | Sinclair Intl

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Guy-Harold Smith II

Thanks!
I will look into the RCBS dies.
See, I am new to loading for rifles and yes, this is for a bolt gun (the 30-06 anyway, the 30-30...a lever gun). I wouldn't have guessed that some dies were better than others, based on the type of action.

Thanks again.

Its not that one is better than the other but full length resizing will work harden your cases shortening the case life. Neck sizing gives you a custom fit to your rifles chamber and tends to give a little better accuracy. If you plan on using your reloads in more than one rifle you will need to full length size. I have both types of dies for each caliber I load for.

I've had great luck with RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, and Lee dies. I prefer the Lee lock rings, because you don't need a tool to adjust them. I also prefer the Lee price, and the fact that other than the RGB series, they come with the correct shell holder.

I'm another who prefers the Lee lock rings but it's for a different reason. The reason for me is that I've seen that the lock rings that use a set screw typically cock the lock ring slightly on the threads. End result is that instead of a circular contact ring you get a single point of contact and dies that tend to work themselves loose as you run the press.

I have used all of the above without a problem. My current favorite rifle dies are made by Redding.

It's a good idea to use a case gauge for cartridges with a shoulder. The full-length resizing die should be set so that the shoulder is pushed back no further than necessary (if at all).

This is especially important for 30-06 and other rimless cartridges, which headspace from the shoulder. The 30-30 headspaces from the rim and the .357 SIG from the mouth of the case. Also, make sure the cartridge length does not exceed the maximum specification. It's usually not necessary to trim the cases more than once. If they grow over spec, they often develop a thin spot in the wall, just above the web.

You can neck size cartridges with a full-length die if you back the die off about a turn. That may result in a snug but tolerable fit in a bolt action, but too snug for a semi-auto or lever gun.

Most commercial .308 and 30-06 cartridges crimp the primer in place, making it hard to insert a new primer. You may need to remove that crimp before proceeding. The best tool is a swage (q.v., Dillon Super Swage), but a reamer may be sufficient for low-volume reloading. Again, you only need do it once.

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

Neck size is great for accuracy in my 1903...........
but if your bolt starts needing more force to close, it is time to full resize the case, since the shoulder has expanded past the "standard" spec's.
a oal of 3.34 works in my rifle as well as imr 4350 for 150gr to 200gr boat tails for hunting loads. 4895 and 4064 for target loads.

Good loading.

I don't know who told you that but for the most part getting the headspace correct is a function of adjusting the dies correctly.

Like said already, most company's die sets will do a good job reloading. I use mostly Lee Carbide dies for loading handgun ammo. I like RCBS dies for rifle loading but i also have a set of Hornady dies I bought used for the 45-70 and they do a great job.

I'm cheap so I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for dies especially when Lee and RCBS produce very accurate ammo. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule and if you're loading loan range match ammo there are dies that are expansive but will also cut the size of your groups.

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Freedom is never free!!
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I recommend staying with the same brand of dies that you have the most of. This gives you spare parts for when you run a batch and a stem bends or whatever. The exception is for Target ammo. The Redding Competition and Wilson arbor press dies are truly outstanding. (The new RCBS collet dies look very promising too). Look at your dies as fine tools that last for generations. I have collected some loading equipment from the 30's, 40's & 50's and while not interchange with modern equipment, there was a lot of well made reloading tools that still make outstanding ammo. Even the Lee Loader that you bang ammo together with a hammer will make good ammo if you don't use the scoops. Worry more about ammo quality instead of quantity (I do use a Dillion on large batches). Have fun. Ivan

To be honest, I, don't think there is a wit of difference between die manufacturers. I am all Hornady because that is what I started with.
You will have to full length resize the 30-30. Also, in my experience with 30-30, trimming all your cases to the same length helps when crimping the case. A long case can buckle when it is crimped as 30-30 brass is thinner than 30-06.

TRUE;
Trimming all your brass to the same length, really helps when you are crimping bullets on the cannelure .......
if the can is in the same spot on all the bullets.

Every now and then they will not be perfect and you might mess up a case.............even with quality brand name bullets !!

one reason I now do my OAL to all my loads first, then if ok, crimp. Bad bullet lengths can be fixed, if needed.

I like to use rcbs dies for the rifles. They make a quality product & stand behind it 100%.

In the past I've stuck cases in their die (sent it back & they fixed it for free) bent rods from trying to deprime berdan cases. Called them & told them what a stupid thing I did & again they simply replaced the parts for free along with sending a bag with 10 extra decaping pins.

The last time I called them 3-2013, the well used ram on my rock chucker rs-2 was getting too much play in it (wore out). So I called them about a replacement ram. While I was on the phone with them I asked about a bigger expander ball for my 30-06 dies. The 30-06, 308, 30-30 etc, all have .308 expander balls in them from the factory for jacketed bullets. I use/shoot .311 cast bullets in my 30-06 & the smaller .308 neck opening was swaging the lead bullets down when I'd seat them in the case. RCBS sent me a .310 expander ball, actually the whole new assembly (decapping pin, .310 expander ball & rod). The .310 sized expander ball is actually used with the 303 british dies (bigger bullet) & do an excellent job expanding my 30-06 case mouths to accept the .311 cast bullets.



And as usual they mailed the ram & the .310 setup to me for free. I call that service!!!!

Don't buy just a neck sizing die set as your only dies to reload with. Get a full length sizing die to go with it. Other shooters will give you brass and sometimes you can find it at the shooting range but it has all been once fired in someone else's rifle and may not fit your guns chamber . It is best to resize it in full length die, load and fire in your rifle then you can neck size after that. There will be times when after several neck sizings and firings the brass will stretch a bit and you will need to full length or partially length size to set the shoulder back enough to chamber. Neck sizing dies only size the neck, they don't set the shoulder back or size the case body, which sometimes needs to be sized down a bit.

All die brands from the big companies work fine, I even like those from CH4D ( a small co. ) kinda like Ford or Chevy thing , most choices are personal preference.
There are some sets on the market that have neck and full length in the set together. Lee may have sets like this.
But do get both or at least a full length to start with.

You can get GREAT life out of full length sizing. It just takes more work to set the die up correctly for this. Following the die instructions is not setting the die up for max lifespan. You need to figure out how much to bump the should back for a PARTICULAR rifle then set accordingly if you want max life span.