New to reloading, loading for .30-'06

[GypsmJim]

I am not supplying the press, but I will own my own dies, and likely supply my own powder and primers, unless we agree on common components.

I'll likely look for a mint used die set. I have plenty of time. Anything under $100 for everything die-related is fine. But used is fine. Don't need match for the Winchester 70. Buy once, cry once.

Dies will last a lifetime if you treat them right. If you don't they may turn out to be ****.

Used dies are a ****-shoot.

I started in 1968 with a set of Lee 30-06 dies. I still use them to this day. Plus 26 other sets of Lee dies.

With a budget of $100, Lee will give you a lot of change back. Buy used and you may just buy Lees after all the second time.

 

[rwsmith]

Just checking......

I've been handloading for 45 years but just started the 30-06 for my Garand & Springfield 03. I typically use RCBS but with the 06 I had to buy a Redding full body die in order to set the shoulder back a bit more. I use 162 - 168 gr bullets & usually IMR 4064.
Have fun!

Don't mean to stick my nose in and this is off subject for the thread, but does everybody realize that full loads of 30-06 will bend the operating rod of the M1, so you have to reduce loads somewhat or get an adjustable gas plug?

 

[SMSgt]

.30-06 was my first rifle round I reloaded back around '75. I used, and still use, a set of Herter's dies. Having said that, RCBS is my go-to brand for dies. Never had an issue with them. You're gonna have to work hard to "wear out" a set of dies.

My go-to hunting round is the Sierra SPBT in either 165- or 180-grain bullets. Never had a fail with one yet on anything from rock chucks to moose.

 

[carpriver]

I have been using Lee reloading dies and presses for many years, I load both pistol and rifle I load for the M-14, the Ruger Scout rifle and a 7.62X39 carbine and 5.56X45 and the M-1 30 Cal carbine. The Lee dies and press turn very good and accurate ammo. I started with the equipment I could afford at the time it worked well and stills does. I can now afford the top of the line equipment but the lee still works does what it was designed to do, so why change to something blue, or orange or green.

Learning what you supposed to do to reload, be safe, pay attention. learn what you need to know about conditioning brass, for semi auto and bolt action, commercial brass and military surplus brass. reloading is a means to and end, and is a good way to unwind,

 

[murf205]

I would stay away from Ebay dies.I have some that I bought there and they have scratches inside and the tolerances on some of the older RCBS dies is not quite what it is today. A LOT of people are unloading their junk on ebay. You have been warned! Reddings are top drawer and priced accordingly. Hornady dies are good quality and Lee dies can't be beat for the price. I prefer my dies to have a more secure lock ring though and I have drilled and tapped the Lee lock rings and put hex screws in them.

 

[Racer X]

Thanks for all the input. I have essentially every reloading/handloading book in the Seattle Public Library system on reserve so I can start to educate myself. My partner's brother will own the press, but these will be my dies, kept in my possession, so nobody messing with them. His backyard range is @ 50 yards. Will be pistol/rimfire. He is less than 1/4 mile from both BLM land and a HUGE National Forrest. That will be our rifle area.

I will absolutely buy the Lyman book next time I go to my local gun store. I will be reloading 10mm/.40 S&W for myself as well.

Because my partner and I are heavily into rock collecting/lapidary work, I have a triple 15#, a 12# and a double 6# wet tumblers, and a 25# lapidary/metal finishing grade vibratory tumbler. I am NOT stupid enough to ask here about cleaning brass!

 

[Igiveup]

I started in the 70's with a Rock Chucker press and RCBS 30-06 dies. Still use both to this day. I like the Nosler Partition 165gr. bullets, never failed. I load many calibers and switched to Redding dies, only because when RCBS sold to a conglomerate the quality went down for a time period. I have heard a few bad tales of buying used dies and maybe a scratch in them, so I always buy new. I load all the practice ammo for three grandsons and I don't think one can wear out a set of dies. Read the manuals, don't start out with a max load, try some different powders.
Good luck, have fun.

 

[mtgianni]

That Winchester hasn't been fired in my lifetime. It's a plain Jane version, but in great mechanical shape. A few freckles that were poorly touched up with cold blue way back when. Can it be removed without screwing up the factory blueing? I am a commercial photographer, trained old school. I can retouch negatives, so why not precise cold blue blending?

Bluing is controlled rust. If you attempt to remove part of it and re-rust or re-blue the rest, it is difficult to get an exact match.

 

[murf205]

Racer, my advice to you is to is to leave those freckles alone if they are not rust spots. If you have any small surface rust spots, you can use a light gun oil to saturate a SMALL bit if 4/0 steel wool and LIGHTLY rub the spots. Those little places on that old M70 of your dads are character marks. That is one of the best rifles ever made, period. How about loading some pics of that rifle for us. We are suckers for gun pics!

 

[78bagger]

I've been reloading pistol rounds for several years but have taken up 3-500 yard plinking with a Remington 700 in 6.5 Creedmoor. I use a Dillon for pistol but plan on getting an RCBS Rock Chucker for 6.5 and .308. As you boys are talking dies, I was curious if you always use full length resizers or just a neck die. Or both from time to time? I won't be shooting competition. Thanks

 

[Drm50]

I’ve got over 100 die sets right now. A few weeks ago I had more. I’m in process of “getting out”. Most of these die sets were bought used at shows.
I use to get a gun and dies and if I sold gun would sell dies. That don’t work because you will get another gun and have to buy dies again. Many moons ago started no sale policy on dies. Now I’m only keeping ones I have guns for and that number will be shrinking too. A guy can save a lot by buying used loading tools and end up with stuff that will last a life time.

 

[1&done]

My "brother" in law has an AR-10, so there will be plenty of powder and .308 bullets. I suspect we will focus on 168 grain projectiles. Keep it simple and buy in bulk.

168 will work great in both 308Win and 30-06 but you will probably need to use different powders. The -06 will want a slightly slower burn rate. H-4350 and IMR-4451 are both good choices here.

 

[Troystat]

I have a set of RCBS 30-06 dies and they work well. For the 06 a good 150-168 grain bullet, primers and a jug of IMR4350 and you are good to go.