which die set for precision 6.5 Creedmoor

Zbizzle911

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Looking for a die set for 6.5 creedmoor. Will be loading for precision bolt action. I would like a micrometer stem on the seating die and a full length sizing die. I don't know enough about the bushing dies to use them. Thanks in advance!
 
Forster Mircometer bullet seating die. Use them extensively

For body sizing, I'll use forster or Redding FL bushing dies to tune in neck tension (big game changer in precision).
^^^^ Exactly what he said.

I spent a lot of time learning how to load for precision in 223, and have tried various dies and methods. I even tried the Wilson chamber-style seating die, with an arbor press. I finally got the Forster micrometer seating die, and it has worked the best of anything I have tried (the Wilson is a very close second, maybe even equal, but must use an arbor press). The runout and seating consistency of the Forster is what sold me. I also started turning necks, and along with the Redding bushing die, I'm able to get very consistent neck tension. I even go a step further, I use a bushing to size the neck about .001" smaller than needed and then expand with a mandrel expander.

If I were to start loading any other caliber for precision, it will be with the Forster seating die and Redding bushing die.

If you really don't want to figure out the bushing die, here are some alternatives:

1) Just use a regular sizing die (with the internal expander).
2) Use a regular sizing die with the expander removed, and use a mandrel expander die.
3) Go ahead and get the bushing die, sans bushing (just sizes the body) and use a Lee collet neck sizer. You can add the bushing later, if you want.

One advantage of the bushing die is that it works the brass less. A regular sizing die sizes the neck much smaller than needed, and then expands to the right internal diameter. It has to be sized down much smaller to account for the variations in neck wall thickness.
 
@Djstorm100 @Toprudder pardon my ignorance do I just take and measure an loaded round of the hornady match 140gr eld-m neck and then subtract 1 thousandth for the right bushing I need or is it more complicated? I want to use the same bullet when I begin reloadingg for the 65cm.My only reservation on the bushing die is my ignorance to it. Thanks


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Bushing dies arent too hard to figure out, just read the literature. The mic dies really arent a big deal, especially id you primarily load for one rifle-bullet combo.
 
@Djstorm100 @Toprudder pardon my ignorance do I just take and measure an loaded round of the hornady match 140gr eld-m neck and then subtract 1 thousandth for the right bushing I need or is it more complicated? I want to use the same bullet when I begin reloadingg for the 65cm.My only reservation on the bushing die is my ignorance to it. Thanks
What I do is pretty much what you said. Take the bullets and brass that you intend to use, size and seat, and measure the neck diameter. Subtract from that to give the amount of neck tension desired. I was loading for a semi-auto, so I wanted .002” smaller for neck tension, and no crimp. That was enough neck tension to prevent bullet setback or jump during feeding/chambering. If I were loading for a bolt action, I would go for .001” to start with.

It is important to watch the neck wall thickness, for obvious reasons. It can vary greatly from one headstamp to another. I started turning the necks, just enough to even the wall thickness around the circumference of the neck, and that also helps consistency from one case to the next. FWIW, I found that turning the necks did a lot to lower the extreme spread in velocity.
 
Bushing dies arent too hard to figure out, just read the literature. The mic dies really arent a big deal, especially id you primarily load for one rifle-bullet combo.
Yeah, the micrometer part is more for convenience when making an adjustment in seating depth. Once adjusted, the same die, without the micrometer, will seat just as accurately.
 
Been using my Hornady FL dies since 2008 and they work great. I added the micrometer to the seater but that's it. If using Hornady brass then it will give .002" of neck tension. If using another brass then I would say get the bushing FL die Hornady makes. That way you can change the bushing and adjust neck tension depending on your brass. You can use this die with Hornady brass too obviously.
 
So I measured some of the Hornady Match ammo I have. I plan on using hornady brass I've got and the Hornady 140 gr eld-m bullets. This is exactly what the factory match ammo is I measured. They averaged .290 so from what I'm seeing from hornady I need to subtract for my desired neck tension ( .001) and the brass spring back (.001) so this would be .290-.001-.001=.288 so order the .288 bushing?
 
Yeah a .288 would work.

Oh and don't be surprised if it comes out at .288. .002" of neck tension will work fine for precision ammo.

Thanks I ordered the hornady match dies and a .288 bushing.


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Yeah a .288 would work.

Oh and don't be surprised if it comes out at .288. .002" of neck tension will work fine for precision ammo.

Listen to Rob^

If you measure a fired case and it’s more than 0.008 bigger than a loaded round you may have to run a 2nd bushing
Example if loaded is .290 and fired is .298-.3
Use a .294/5 then use .290


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Listen to Rob^

If you measure a fired case and it’s more than 0.008 bigger than a loaded round you may have to run a 2nd bushing
Example if loaded is .290 and fired is .298-.3
Use a .294/5 then use .290


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The fired cases measure .293
 
No I know some people say they get it but I never have. Some add it in to their sizing but I just subtract .002 and that is what I get. I wouldn;t want to go any looser as I don't want bullets moving under recoil when shooting a match.
 
No I know some people say they get it but I never have. Some add it in to their sizing but I just subtract .002 and that is what I get. I wouldn;t want to go any looser as I don't want bullets moving under recoil when shooting a match.
Thanks for the info. Theyll be here this week.
 
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