New to long-range riflery (though not new to firearms), about to begin reloading ...

Been researching before I buy the reloading equipment. Reading sites online, Web forums, skimmed a buddy's "Ultimate in Rifle Accuracy" by Newick, just got Zediker's "Reloading for Competition." Whew!

So, here's my question:

What size(s) Redding Type "S" neck die bushing(s) are you using for .308 with Remington factory-chambered rifles and with what brand(s) of cases?

I've gleaned some folks are using bushing sizes from 0.334" to 0.339."

My .308 is a factory-spec, recent Remington 700 action. I have new Lapua cases and once-fired Winchester cases (Black Hills Match) to reload.

Can you recommend a bushing size or the minimum ranges of sizes, based on this information?

Had seen a Web article on bushing selection:
http://www.redding-reloading.com/techlinepages/bushingselection.htm
... but have yet to even purchase measuring implements!

Much obliged for any guidance,
mib2000

P.S.
Going the Redding bushing route, don't want to get into the whole collet die debate -- thanks!

mic a loaded round at the neck and subtract .002 for the cases your using.

No mic or other measuring implements yet.

Anyone else?

Regards,
mib2000

Without knowing the thickness of your neck walls, NOBODY can give the correct bushing required. The walls will also vary from lot to lot and manufacturer to manufacturer. That's why they make them in all those dimensions. Better buy a micrometer, or even cheap calipers.

I see. The purchase of a micrometer seems in order, then.

Until then, perhaps it would still be instructive if others posted what size Redding Type "S" bushing sizes they are using for .308 ... at least for Winchester and Lapua cases, such as I plan to reload.

In an e-mail, Redding suggested trying 0.335, 0.336 and 0.337 bushings.

Thanks & regards,
mib2000

For my 308 I bought .333 and .334 bushings. The .333 was too tight, the .334 was alittle tight, .335 should be perfect. I'm using Win Palma brass, with bullet loaded neck measures .336 but after sizing with .334 bushing I.D. of neck is .304. Hope this helps some. I heard the theory of miking the neck of a loaded round and subtracting .001 or .002 to be accurate for necks that have been turned and concentric. If using unturned brass in a factory chamber my experience is to use bushing size of loaded round or .001 smaller depending on how much neck tension you need.
Wayne

Wayne McD,
Excellent! That's exactly the kind of information I was seeking. Very helpful, thank you. No, won't be turning the the necks. Hadn't heard that bit -- good to know.

Much obliged,
mib2000

I realise you are asking about .308 but I have a 22-250 AI which has a tight neck. I have neck turned my cases to fit. Loaded rounds are .249". I use Redding "s" dies with a .247" bushing as per Redding Advice - it provided correct neck tension and very accurate loads.
Buy a vernier micrometer, measure your loaded cases and subtract two thou, this is the size of bushing you require.

mib2000, That die set came with an expander ball for a reason, use it if not turning necks, it will keep the bullet "pull" the same from round to round. If you then decide to turn necks your brass is a uniform thickness the expander will be of no aid. If you do not turn necks and do not use expander ball you will notice different pressure to seat bullets from one round to another, probably not a good thing when looking for maximum accuracy. Lapua is the best brass available but still is not perfect.

I would recomend a set of Lee Collet dies for your use. Much simpler and also cheaper.

Mib2000:
I have .334, .335, .339 bushings for Redding Comp dies. I've been doing the neck sizing with the .339 first and then the .335 using Lapua brass. Some brands may be a little thinner, hence there may be a use for the .334 bushing also. Supposedly, sizing down more than .005 at a time will induce concentricity problems, although I can't say for sure because I don't have the gauge for that (I want a Sinclair model). I have sized fired brass with one step ie; .335 bushing and still had accurate ammo.

As far as measuring devices go, get something good like a stainless steel Starrett dial type 120 series caliper. You will be surprised how much you use this tool. I use a caliper more than the micrometer.

after repeated loadings, using an expander, the neck will thin, sometimes requiring a smaller(.001") bushing than you started with.

mib2000,
What JStordahl said about sizing in increments is right on with what I found out with a little experimenting tonight. I think when you size down in too large a step you curl in the mouth of the case and get a false reading. I sized my case which measured .344 OD with a .334 bushing and the ID was .304. I then seated a bullet and the OD was .336. I then pulled the bullet and resized, lo and behold the ID was .3065, perfect! Hope this sheds alittle more light on the subject.
Wayne

Wayne's recommendation is exactly what I've found to be true, Same size or .001" smaller will work perfectly for .002" - .003" tension. Reddings recommendation to you falls in line with this too, they realize that the neck overshoots the diameter of the bushing a couple thou because it enters it at an angle and you will end up with too tight of tension if you simply subtract .002" - .003" from a loaded round and end up with more than that.

My .335" bushing will size a fired case down to .3325" every time. If I run a case in it that was already at .336" that I ran the expander ball through it will size it to .335" exactly, as it's not running it into the bushing at any angle to speak of and the neck is almost exactly parallel the the bushing, so it stays tight to the ID. of the bushing. The more angle it goes in at, the less tight it stays to the bushing ID. So the looser the neck your chamber has, the smaller the case neck will be sized down to using the same bushing. Good luck and get a dial caliper, you can't reload without one, a cheap set works just as well for taking measurements to the .001" of an inch. The only time you will need any higher resolution than that is if you're turning necks for a tight neck or especially a fitted neck chamber.

The expander ball is for ironing out dented necks, IMHO, use it for that and turn the necks if you are worried that uneven tension is hurting your accuracy. The expande ball doesn't do anything that seating a bullet in the case won't do, you need to turn the necks to get even tension...period.