Another question, what is the difference between benchrest dies and normal dies. Can they be used for normal hunting reloading.
Thanks Guys

Benchrest dies are manufactured to a higher standard of tolerance. This is why they cost about three times as much as regular dies. A benchrest seater also has the micrometer top-- an expensive add-on that reg'lar dies don't have. Yes, you can reload huntin' ammo with benchrest dies. That deer or elk will never know the difference...

Benchrest dies are normally used with an arbor press rather than a conventional 7/8-14 lever type. IOW they usually have no external threads, and are used in a press that looks like a miniature drill press. The Benchresters usually reload the same case over and over and are not concerned with speed of operation.
Regards, Joe

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Originally posted by wazza56:
Another question, what is the difference between benchrest dies and normal dies. Can they be used for normal hunting reloading.
Thanks Guys

Die adjustment- A must read. The BR dies size the brass only a tiny amount, not over working the brass. You can send 3 fired cases from your gun to RCBS, Redding, others and have a standard die custom made for your rifle. It is not all that expensive. Another choice is Redding Bushing dies, Type-S in FLRS. This die will let you full length resize, and size the neck at the same time, with or without an expander buttton. The advantage here in not over working the neck area on sizing. More Photos Here

Back in the old days, when BR shooters used a set of tools quite similar to a Lee Loader, they would have the smith that chambered their rifle, take a section of barrel and make a resizing die using the same reamer.

Wazza, Yes you can use bench dies for a standard hunting load. You may wish to take a look at Forster dies. Sets can be had for under $70.00, or you can buy them individually. The seating dies are avaliable with or without the micrometer. The Sizing dies use an elevated expander resulting in better neck alignment. The are avalialbe for a standard loading press.

Wilson dies are only avaliable for arbor presses.

Redding bench rest dies are very good, but very expensive, and are probably the leader in bushing type dies.

People can load and shoot ammo from any dies they wish. No one is likely to win a real BR match with threaded dies. No factory sporter is going to benefit from the "quality" of true BR dies.

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No factory sporter is going to benefit from the "quality" of true BR dies.

I think this is an accurate statement...

Wazza, a common question is "How do I take my accuracy to the next level". As several of the members here implied, your accuracy will be limited by your weakest link, so how do you get the most out of your reloading $$. Here's a guideline I wrote for another forum:

This was originally posted to under another topic, but I thought is deserved it's own thread:

What is the Accuracy progression?
You are never more accurate then your weakest link. Much of the discussion within the shooting community revolves around taking the accuracy potential of our equipment to the next level. Here's my basic vision of the basic evolution shooters equipment and reloading techniques as go through as they go from beginner to world class expert. This is not fixed in stone, and you will see cross over between levels. In addition, with increased quality of factory firearms and premium ammo, and premium brass, these lines are becoming even more blured. Considering how we all have limited gun money, but wish to get the most out of out equipment, I hope this can help some member be efficent with some of that spending. I welcome comments where others think this outline can be improved.

Level Zero: Expected accuracy: 1 1/2 to 3 inches....or worse.
Out of the box standard quality factory gun, standard factory ammo, cheap Chinese scope with parallax.

Level one: 1" to 1 1/2" or better.
Rifle: Out of the box gun, trigger adjusted, barrel free floated, recoil pad added. These are all simple low cost adjustments within the capabilities of the typical fixer-upper. Many of these upgrade and adjustment are now common on many factory guns.

Scope: $150-$250. Parallax free at typical hunting ranges. Leupold rifleman to Leupold VX II

Ammo: Premium ammo, or Beginning reloader. Equipment consists of the typical kit, such as an RCBS rockchucker kit with standard dies. He's reloading factory fired cases, every box of cases if from a different lot, if not different brands. All cases are full length resized. The loader experiments with different components, power, bullets, and primers for accuracy. An advanced level one loader may try to only buy loaded ammo of the same manufacture.

Level Two: Expected accuracy, 5/8"-1" or better.

Rifle: As level one, plus a bedded action. and/or upgraded stock, drop in trigger. These are still relatively simple adjustments that take a little more skill or money. Some rifles, such as the Tikka T3, and Weatherby Vanguard Sub MOA rifles are effectively at this level out of the box, althought the Weatherby's may benefit from a drop in trigger.

Scope: Parallax adjustment $250+ Leupold VXII to VXIII+, or Leupold Mark 2 for the distance shooter.

The level two loader attempts to squeeze everything they can out of stock equipment. This level is highlighted by advanced case prep, and advanced usage of standard equipment. The level two loader will buy bulk brass, all of the same lot number, weight sort, and debur the flash holes. If you purchase Nosler Custom Brass, this work is already done for you, but I would still match lot numbers. They will use advanced sizing techniques, such as the partial full length size, and begin adjusting COAL. The loader may use standard neck sizing dies. New equipment should include a chronograph. At this level you ammo may surpass the quality of the average hunting rifle.

Level Three: Expected accuracy: 1/4-1/2 inch, or better.
This level is about getting everything to line up perfectly with the bore.

Rifle: Rifle is rebarreled with a custom barrel, action is printed (action squared, bolt face squared, lugs lapped) This is mated to a high quality stock such as an HS Percision, McMillian, ect. An out of the box rifle in this catagory would be the Nosler 48.

Scope: $400.00+ such as Leupold VXIII to Leupold Mark 4 or better. Depending on the shooting style, the optics may become more specialized and include mil-dot, tmr or other advanced reticles, target knobs ect.

Ammo: In order to get everything to line up perfectly, we begin using benchrest/competition die set, and advanced case prep. This usually includes benchrest/competition dies sets, Bushing style neck sizing dies and neck turning. This level is also highlighted by concentricity and runout gauges.

Level 4: World Record Class. Expected accuracy: .005" To be competative today, you need to shoot 5 consecutive, 5 shoot groups with an aggregate group size of .025" or better.

Rifle: Purpose built target rifle. Single shot action, such as a Remington 40xbr, Nesika, Stole, or other $1000+ action. Top of the line custom barrel, Lilja, Kriger, Lawton, Chanlin ect. These rifles may include a tight throat, and tight neck. They may be out of SAMMI spec and unable to fire over the counter ammunition. The loader may actually do all the above described case prep to create a dummy round, with the anticipated preferred bullet and COAL to provide to the gunsmith before he even begins work on the rifle. Cartridge will be selected for accuracy, usually short and fat, 220 Waldog, 6mm PPC, 6.5x284, .308, .338 Lapua. The typical bench gun is not pratical for any type of hunting other then shooting prarie dogs, which really is alot of fun.

Scope: Special purpose target scope, desigened for a specific comeptition. For bench rest shooters they are typically fixed power, high magnification, 20-45x, with 1/8 moa adjustments, with excellent glass. An example would be the Leupold competion series which range from $600-1000 in price.

Ammo: You may also see arbor presses (sometimes they come earlier), and these shooters may use custom bullets from small houses.

Level 5: Expected accuracy: What ever the new world record would be.

Is there really a level 5? I don't know, but you could begin swaging your own custom bullets:
http://www.corbins.com/