x dies

Going to start reloading for m1garand and my 1903a3. want to use the rxbs x-dies. I use them for my ar15 and M1a now. They work great. Anyone else use them for 30.06? Or any reccomendations for a die set? Also small base needed for garand? Any other tips would be appreciated. Thanks everyone!

I´m using the Hornady Custom Grade dies, good and cheap!

The Hornady dies are my second choice at this.point. I use the Hornady dies for .450 Bushmaster. I love the.seater die. But the x die sizer is awesome as well. Torn between the two.

I've been using RCBS standard dies for about 30 + years and never had a problem. I've loaded far more ammo in .30 cal then any other caliber and probably all of them combined. Used the same cartridges and ammo for 1903, BAR and Johnson rifle. Loaded for several different M1s and never needed small base dies. If it makes you feel better then do it. RCBS works well. It's been the industry standard for years. Many others are cheaper and that's why their praises are sung.

Thanks for the input. I use LEE, RCBS, HORNADY dies. Each have thier own advantages and purposes. I dont need national match micrometer dies. My range is only 100 yds. But do prefer to make the best qualiy i can. Based in my research i going with the standard x die set. And maybe get a better seater die if needed.

Thanks for the replies so far. I have a couple questions on some data. I have 168 gr BTHP already that i use in my M1A, and these should be fine in the garand as well. But what about my 03A3? Its a 2 groove barrel. Any pet loads you guys might have? Atleast to give me a starting point with this load.

Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

Hodgdon load data provides one point of reference. However for 150s, and to a lesser extent for 168s, their data are skewed a little high in my opinion. For IMR 4895 or IMR 4064 you will likely be in the range of 46-50 grains in the M1903. 46-48 range seems to be optimal for the Garand based upon what most reloaders report w/ years of experience. Have to work up loads safely for an individual rifle, in so doing you find what is more optimal for that rifle. In one of my 1903s with 150 gr MK bullets, I had excessive pressure signs (very flat primers) at 50 gr of IMR 4895, so caution is in order when approaching the upper end.

Thanks for the reply. Just receieved my X-dies today. Hopefully by the weekend i can get them set and and get some reloading done. I use CCI #34 primers, anyone else use them for mil-surps. They work excellent in my M1A.

I use CCI mil spec for all of my rifles... both bolt action and gas...makes it easier to buy in bulk.

As far as the X-dies I use them for both 308(M1A) and 223(ar-15). They work as advirtised if you set them up properly.

I only need a 223 small base die for my Bushmaster. My Rock River AR-15 and all of my other rifles I reload for which is 20+ don't have the need for them. I also don't see the need in over working the brass if it isn't necessary.

I try to get a good working load for all of the rifles I have in one caliber. My 2 groove 03A3, Garand and 1917 (all 30-06)have all settled on 47grains IMR4895 with 150 grain M2 bullets or 45grains with the 168 match rounds. This is a sweet spot that works good in all of them..but as an example my 1917 and 03-A3 like 42-43 grains IMR4895 better than 47 but after several years of reloading I got sick of constantly seperating brass and loaded rounds for every rifle. The only rifles I go through the trouble making specific rounds for are my scoped hunting rifles and my bushmaster with a 20X scope. Anything with open sights in the same caliber is going to outshoot me anyway

I use the X dies in .223 & .30-06 & they do reduce the need to trim cases. No, you do not need small base dies for a Garand. The chamber is sufficiently large so you do not need the SB dies. The SB dies were made for commercial rifle like the Rem 742.

Thanks for the replies..i ended up with the standard die set. I sized up 10 cases during setup. Now i need to setup my case trimmer and seater die. I have some 168 gr on hand, that is use for my M1A so going to try those first. Forget what my headspace was. I will check when i get home and post it. I checked the saami spec and some factory stuff and it was in the ballpark.
What are you guys setting headspace at?

Well, Just got home and checked my headspace using the hornady tool. Which indicates a headspace of 2.044" +/- .001" . So with SAAMI specs being 2.048"-2.058" i should be fine. I will have to fire and let a few cases cool before extracting them to get an idea where my chamber is specifically. The factory stuff(PPU) i measured was 2.045" +/- .001". Dont want to make ammo specific for this rifle but safe for my 1903a3 and Garand.