Match Master seating dies Question

[stormthelab20]

I reload for 300 Win, and use a set of Match Master dies. I'm having a 300 PRC chambered as we speak. Would there be any reason I couldn't use this seating die with both cartridges and just get a PRC F/L bushing die? Of course, RCBS says they are caliber-specific.

Also any suggestions outside of RCBS MM line that you guys suggest for 300 PRC F/L bushing die? RCBS only sells the MM dies as a pair..

 

[waspocrew]

Just run it through the die and see if it works - I suspect it will. I used their 22 Creed MM seater for my 22-250 AI without any issues at all. I would think the same for 300 PRC and 300 WM.

For a FL bushing die, I tend to use Redding for the most part.

 

[stormthelab20]

Just run it through the die and see if it works - I suspect it will. I used their 22 Creed MM seater for my 22-250 AI without any issues at all. I would think the same for 300 PRC and 300 WM.

For a FL bushing die, I tend to use Redding for the most part.

Sounds like a good idea, thank you.

 

[rgilchrist28]

How well do you like the matchmaster dies?

 

[stormthelab20]

I like them. No issues and my load performance is where it should be. Being able to load the seating die from the top is really nice.

 

[rgilchrist28]

Right on. Does the collar work pretty good at keeping the bullet straight?

 

[SloppyJ]

I love the matchmaster dies with the bullet window to drop it in. I have quite a few and theyre my favorite. I hate having to hold a bullet in the case mouth as I pull the press arm down. Not sure why more companies dont go this direction.

I believe the differences in the dies are the black floating piece that the case comes up into to seat the bullet.

Those are marked cartridge specific. I havent measured one to verify but I believe that they are sized for that specific cartridge to match the shoulder. They center the case when it comes up and the bullet is centered in the top. I wish they did sell just those pieces though. I could save some money swapping those out.

100% they sell the seating dies separately.

As far as FL sizing dies. I went with Forster because theyre supposedly one of the few that come down to size the base of the PRC cases. I have the regular FL sizing die, no bushing, and thats the most accurate and consistent ammo I have ever made. Not sure if its the proof barrel or the die but im talking about groups that would make a
223 jealous. I might try another Forster FL sizing die in a different cartridge to see if I have the same results. I dont even mandrel my 300prc ammo or do anything "extra" with it.

 

[stormthelab20]

I love the matchmaster dies with the bullet window to drop it in. I have quite a few and theyre my favorite. I hate having to hold a bullet in the case mouth as I pull the press arm down. Not sure why more companies dont go this direction.

I believe the differences in the dies are the black floating piece that the case comes up into to seat the bullet.

Those are marked cartridge specific. I havent measured one to verify but I believe that they are sized for that specific cartridge to match the shoulder. They center the case when it comes up and the bullet is centered in the top. I wish they did sell just those pieces though. I could save some money swapping those out.

100% they sell the seating dies separately.

As far as FL sizing dies. I went with Forster because theyre supposedly one of the few that come down to size the base of the PRC cases. I have the regular FL sizing die, no bushing, and thats the most accurate and consistent ammo I have ever made. Not sure if its the proof barrel or the die but im talking about groups that would make a
223 jealous. I might try another Forster FL sizing die in a different cartridge to see if I have the same results. I dont even mandrel my 300prc ammo or do anything "extra" with it.

Great info, thank you.

 

[rgilchrist28]

Nice. I’m getting back into reloading and I think I will be going with the matchmaster set. For the money they seem to be great.

 

[stormthelab20]

I love the matchmaster dies with the bullet window to drop it in. I have quite a few and theyre my favorite. I hate having to hold a bullet in the case mouth as I pull the press arm down. Not sure why more companies dont go this direction.

I believe the differences in the dies are the black floating piece that the case comes up into to seat the bullet.

Those are marked cartridge specific. I havent measured one to verify but I believe that they are sized for that specific cartridge to match the shoulder. They center the case when it comes up and the bullet is centered in the top. I wish they did sell just those pieces though. I could save some money swapping those out.

100% they sell the seating dies separately.

As far as FL sizing dies. I went with Forster because theyre supposedly one of the few that come down to size the base of the PRC cases. I have the regular FL sizing die, no bushing, and thats the most accurate and consistent ammo I have ever made. Not sure if its the proof barrel or the die but im talking about groups that would make a
223 jealous. I might try another Forster FL sizing die in a different cartridge to see if I have the same results. I dont even mandrel my 300prc ammo or do anything "extra" with it.

I do have a question. I looked at the forster f/l. Did you get it custom honed? If so what neck diameter did you go with?

 

[SloppyJ]

I do have a question. I looked at the forster f/l. Did you get it custom honed? If so what neck diameter did you go with?

Nope just the straight FL sizing die directly from them. No modifications at all. If I were looking at trying to get it custom honed and wanted to deal with that, I'd just get a bushing die and be done with it. I see no benefit adjusting the neck diameter on a standard FL sizing die when you can do the exact same thing and even change it with a bushing die. I'm of the opinion that a thousandth or few aren't going to make or break your load.

Having said all of that I am playing with some expander mandrels to see if there's any benefit that translates to actual field use. Right now, using one certainly makes the seating process much more consistent from a feel standpoint. Haven't concluded on if it actually translates though.

 

[rgilchrist28]

It will be interesting to see how they work out for sure.

 

[stormthelab20]

Nope just the straight FL sizing die directly from them. No modifications at all. If I were looking at trying to get it custom honed and wanted to deal with that, I'd just get a bushing die and be done with it. I see no benefit adjusting the neck diameter on a standard FL sizing die when you can do the exact same thing and even change it with a bushing die. I'm of the opinion that a thousandth or few aren't going to make or break your load.

Having said all of that I am playing with some expander mandrels to see if there's any benefit that translates to actual field use. Right now, using one certainly makes the seating process much more consistent from a feel standpoint. Haven't concluded on if it actually translates though.

The Forster seems to have the best results based on my research, so I'll prob end up going with them. I haven't gone down the madrel path yet. One day I'm sure I will.

 

[SloppyJ]

The Forster seems to have the best results based on my research, so I'll prob end up going with them. I haven't gone down the madrel path yet. One day I'm sure I will.

There was talk floating around that the Forster dies sized the base of the case far enough down to help prevent the clickers that you hear people discuss. Ive never had one with the Lapua brass I use so I cant say that the dies help or hurt but I know that setup has treated me very well after a lot of load development.

 

[stormthelab20]

There was talk floating around that the Forster dies sized the base of the case far enough down to help prevent the clickers that you hear people discuss. Ive never had one with the Lapua brass I use so I cant say that the dies help or hurt but I know that setup has treated me very well after a lot of load development.

Yep, based on what you and a lot of others have said. They seem to size the true full length of the case.