Unlocking Precision: The Essential RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set for .338 Remington Ultra Magnum Reloading
For discerning handloaders, precision shooters, and avid hunters who demand the utmost performance from their .338 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM) firearms, the RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set is not merely a tool – it's an indispensable cornerstone of ammunition excellence. This comprehensive die set is engineered to empower reloaders with the ability to consistently produce high-quality, accurate, and safe cartridges, maximizing the potential of this powerful long-range magnum.
Are you seeking to achieve unparalleled accuracy from your .338 RUM rifle? Do you want to extend the lifespan of your valuable brass while significantly reducing your ammunition costs? Are you looking for the best tools to ensure your handloads meet the stringent demands of long-range shooting or ethical hunting? The RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set provides the definitive answer to these critical questions, offering a robust and reliable solution for all your .338 RUM reloading needs.
Why Full Length Sizing is Crucial for .338 RUM Ammunition
The .338 RUM is a formidable cartridge, renowned for its flat trajectory, immense energy, and suitability for taking large game at extended ranges. Its power, however, places significant demands on cartridge cases, causing them to expand and deform with each firing. This expansion makes it challenging, if not impossible, to chamber a fired case in your rifle again without proper resizing.
This is precisely where the RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set becomes invaluable. Full length sizing is the process of restoring the entire spent cartridge case – from the case head to the shoulder – back to its original factory dimensions. This crucial step ensures that your reloaded ammunition will reliably chamber and extract from your firearm, preventing potentially dangerous and frustrating malfunctions in the field or on the firing line.
Key Benefits of Full Length Sizing with the RCBS 17701 Set:
- Guaranteed Chambering: Ensures every reloaded round fits perfectly into your rifle's chamber, regardless of whether it was fired from that specific rifle or another. This is particularly important for ammunition intended for use in multiple firearms or for hunting scenarios where reliable feeding is paramount.
- Enhanced Reliability: Eliminates the risk of "sticky bolt" issues or cartridges failing to fully chamber, which can lead to missed opportunities or unsafe conditions.
- Standardized Dimensions: Brings the case back to SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) specifications, ensuring consistency across all your reloaded cartridges.
- Facilitates Proper Headspace: While not directly setting headspace, full length sizing properly resizes the case body and shoulder, allowing for correct headspace settings when combined with proper die adjustment and a shell holder.
For magnum cartridges like the .338 RUM, which operate at high pressures and often experience significant case expansion, full length sizing is often preferred over neck sizing alone, especially when reloading for semi-automatic firearms or when consistency across different rifles is desired.
The RCBS Legacy: A Foundation of Trust and Precision
For over 70 years, RCBS has stood as a pillar of innovation and quality in the reloading industry. Their commitment to manufacturing durable, precise, and user-friendly equipment has earned them the trust of countless reloaders worldwide. The RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set for .338 RUM embodies this legacy, reflecting the brand's dedication to helping handloaders achieve exceptional results.
When you invest in RCBS, you're not just buying a product; you're gaining access to decades of engineering expertise, rigorous testing, and a reputation for unparalleled reliability. This translates directly into tools that perform consistently, withstand the rigors of heavy use, and help you produce ammunition that rivals, or even surpasses, factory loads in terms of accuracy and consistency. The peace of mind that comes from using a brand like RCBS, known for its robust construction and meticulous attention to detail, is invaluable to any serious reloader.
Dissecting the RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set: What's Inside?
The RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set is a meticulously crafted two-die set designed to handle the core operations of rifle cartridge reloading: sizing/decapping and bullet seating. Each component is engineered for optimal performance and longevity.
1. Full Length Sizing Die:
This is the workhorse of the set. Its primary function is to return the fired .338 RUM case to its original, unfired dimensions.
- Case Resizing: The die body is precisely machined to size down the entire exterior of the case, including the body taper, shoulder, and neck. This ensures that the case will chamber smoothly in any .338 RUM rifle.
- Decapping Pin: Integrated within the sizing die, a robust decapping pin pushes out the spent primer from the primer pocket. This component is designed to be strong enough to remove even crimped primers, a common feature in military brass, though less so in commercial .338 RUM brass.
- Expander Ball: As the decapping pin pushes through the case neck, an expander ball follows, gently expanding the case neck to the correct internal diameter. This step is critical for ensuring proper neck tension, which is essential for consistent bullet seating and optimal bullet pull – factors that directly impact accuracy. RCBS expander balls are typically polished to minimize brass stretch and reduce friction.
- Vent Holes: Many RCBS sizing dies incorporate vent holes to prevent case denting caused by trapped air or excessive lubricant. This thoughtful design detail further enhances the reloading process's smoothness and efficiency.
- Durability: Constructed from hardened steel, the sizing die is built to withstand thousands of sizing operations without losing its precision.
2. Bullet Seating Die:
This die is responsible for precisely seating the bullet into the resized case and often applies a crimp.
- Bullet Seating Stem: This adjustable component pushes the bullet into the case neck to the desired overall length (OAL). The design ensures the bullet is seated straight and true, minimizing bullet runout. For a high-performance cartridge like the .338 RUM, consistent OAL and minimal runout are paramount for achieving repeatable accuracy, especially at long distances.
- Crimp Shoulder: While not always necessary for precise rifle ammunition, the seating die typically includes a crimp shoulder that can apply a slight roll crimp or taper crimp to the case mouth, securing the bullet more firmly. For most precision rifle loads, a light crimp or no crimp is preferred to avoid deforming the bullet or negatively affecting accuracy. The flexibility to choose whether or not to apply a crimp is a key advantage.
- Smooth Operation: The internal machining of the seating die is designed to guide the bullet and case smoothly, preventing damage to either component during the seating process.
- Adjustment: The seating stem is easily adjusted for precise control over the bullet seating depth, allowing reloaders to fine-tune their ammunition for optimal performance in their specific rifle.
Additional Components:
The set typically includes a plastic storage box to keep the dies organized and protected, along with standard locking rings for secure die adjustment on your reloading press.
The Reloading Journey: How the RCBS 17701 Fits In
Understanding how these dies integrate into the overall reloading process can help new reloaders visualize their use and experienced reloaders appreciate their role in achieving perfection.
1. Case Preparation:
After firing, cases are often cleaned (e.g., tumbled) to remove fouling and grit. For bottleneck rifle cases like the .338 RUM, this is followed by lubrication. Proper case lubrication is absolutely critical when using full length sizing dies to prevent cases from sticking inside the die, which can damage both the case and the die.
2. Sizing and Decapping (with the RCBS Full Length Sizing Die):
The lubricated case is placed in the shell holder on your reloading press. As the press ram is raised, the case enters the RCBS Full Length Sizing Die. The die body reduces the case dimensions, the decapping pin removes the spent primer, and the expander ball sizes the neck. The result is a uniformly sized case, ready for the next steps.
3. Priming:
A new primer is inserted into the primer pocket.
4. Powder Charging:
The precisely measured gunpowder charge is dispensed into the case.
5. Bullet Seating (with the RCBS Bullet Seating Die):
A bullet is placed on the case mouth, and the assembly is raised into the RCBS Bullet Seating Die. The seating stem pushes the bullet down to the desired overall length, and if desired, a crimp is applied.
By carefully following these steps and using the high-quality RCBS 17701 dies, reloaders gain complete control over their ammunition, from start to finish.
Achieving Superior Accuracy and Consistency with Your .338 RUM
The true value of the RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set lies in its ability to facilitate the creation of highly consistent and accurate ammunition. Here’s how:
- Consistent Neck Tension: The expander ball in the sizing die ensures uniform internal neck diameter. This leads to consistent neck tension, which is the grip the case neck has on the bullet. Consistent neck tension is a cornerstone of accuracy, as it affects the bullet's release from the case upon firing, influencing muzzle velocity consistency (Standard Deviation) and ultimately, group size.
- Minimal Bullet Runout: The precise design of the bullet seating die helps ensure that bullets are seated straight and concentric with the case. Bullet runout (how much the bullet deviates from the centerline of the case) is a major contributor to poor accuracy. RCBS dies are engineered to minimize runout, leading to straighter-flying bullets and tighter groups.
- Uniform Case Dimensions: By returning cases to factory specifications, the full length sizing die ensures that every reloaded round has the same external dimensions. This uniformity aids in smooth chambering, consistent bullet release, and predictable performance downrange.
- Extending Brass Life: While full length sizing works the brass more than neck sizing, RCBS dies are designed to minimize excessive case stretching and stress. Proper lubrication and careful die adjustment, combined with the quality of the RCBS dies, contribute to extending the usable life of your valuable .338 RUM brass. This directly translates to significant cost savings over time.
- Customization for Peak Performance: The adjustability of the seating die allows reloaders to fine-tune bullet seating depth. This capability is critical for optimizing accuracy in a specific rifle, as different rifles often prefer different bullet seating depths or "jump" to the rifling. Experimentation with seating depth is a hallmark of precision handloading, and the RCBS 17701 provides the precise control needed for this process.
Common Questions and Expert Tips for Using Your RCBS Dies
"How do I set up my RCBS Full Length Die Set?"
Detailed instructions are always included with your RCBS dies. Generally, the full length sizing die is adjusted by screwing it into the press until it touches the shell holder (with the ram at its highest point), then lowering the ram and screwing the die in an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn. This "cam-over" ensures full length sizing. The bullet seating die is adjusted by first seating a bullet long, then gradually lowering the seating stem until the desired overall length is achieved.
"What is the most important thing to remember when sizing .338 RUM cases?"
Lubrication! Due to the large case capacity and robust shoulder of the .338 RUM, sufficient and even lubrication is absolutely essential to prevent stuck cases in the sizing die. Use a quality case lubricant, applying it evenly but sparingly. RCBS Case Lube-2 or Imperial Sizing Die Wax are excellent choices.
"Can I use these dies for neck sizing only?"
While technically possible to adjust the full length sizing die to only size the neck, RCBS offers dedicated Neck Sizing Dies for that purpose. For most .338 RUM applications, especially for hunting or when using ammunition in different rifles, full length sizing is recommended for maximum reliability.
"How do I clean my RCBS dies?"
Regular cleaning with a soft cloth and a gun cleaning solvent (like rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits) will keep your dies in top condition. Ensure they are dry before storage, and apply a light coat of rust preventative if storing for long periods in humid environments.
Why Choose the RCBS 17701 from DEGuns?
When you’re ready to elevate your .338 RUM reloading to a professional level, the RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set is an investment that pays dividends in accuracy, reliability, and cost savings. This premium die set is available at DEGuns, a trusted source for all your reloading and shooting sports needs. DEGuns stands committed to providing high-quality products like RCBS, ensuring you have access to the best tools on the market to achieve your shooting goals. By choosing DEGuns, you not only get access to this exceptional die set but also benefit from reliable service and a commitment to customer satisfaction.
In summary, for the serious reloader of the potent .338 Remington Ultra Magnum cartridge, the RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set is more than just an accessory; it is a critical component for crafting superior ammunition. It empowers you to control every variable, ensuring consistency, maximizing precision, extending brass life, and ultimately, unlocking the full ballistic potential of your .338 RUM rifle.
Product Specifications: RCBS 17701 Full Length Die Set
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Full Length Die Set |
| Cartridge | .338 Remington Ultra Magnum (.338 RUM) |
| Components | Full Length Sizing Die, Bullet Seating Die, Die Box, Lock Rings |
| Material | Hardened Steel |
| Manufacturer | RCBS |
| UPC | 076683177011 |
