Beginning to Load 300WinMag - Questions

[MMH]

I am starting to load 300 Win Mag & this will be the first time that I am loading a belted magnum. I've read that FL sizing dies are bad because they size the case & push the shoulder back but do not take care of the bulge in front of the case. So I picked up a Redding body die, a Lee collet necksizing die & a Forster micrometer seating die. How do I adjust the body die for minimal working of the brass? As I understand it, the body die will also not take care of the bulge but at least does not push the shoulder/neck back. I have a bunch of once fired brass (not shot from my rifle) and the brass will chamber in my rifle. The fit is a little snug, but not terribly bad. I was actually debating just neck sizing w/ the collet die, but know that that is not really recommended. The lee collet necksizing instructions seems strait forward, but anyone have any other adjusting hints for these dies?

Eventually, I do intend on getting a Larry Willis collet die which will just size the bulge, but have not gotten this die yet.

[aubie515]

I bought once fired 300WM when I started to load for 300WM. I also bought some new Winchester virgin 300WM brass. The virgin brass did not chamber in my action even after I FL sized them. I called Winchester and they gave me a credit and I sent back the virgin brass. Winchester must have had a bad batch as they couldn't tell me when brass for 300WM would be offered.

The once fired brass that I have for my 300WM seem to be fine. I would suggest FL sizing all of your once fired brass since the brass was not fired by your rifle.

[SCBaldr]

What could be happening is that the case shoulder is getting bumped back too much in the die. If you're close to Wicen's Shooting Range, pay them a visit and ask for Rick. He's spent the last 7 years reloading the 300 Win Mag, and he's solved several weird reloading issues with the round. He should be able to help you through it.