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.223 die selection

Posted: 15 Jul 2018 18:24
by kerrek
Which dies do you guys like for AR reloading of .223? Full length or small base? I bought small base, but thinking I might have issues running cases shot in a Wylde chamber through a small base die set. any thoughts?

Ken

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 16 Jul 2018 07:03
by daboone
I use Lee's. I don't have a 223R rifle but my 3 sons and SNL do. I reload all of their shooting ammo and not just for the 223R. Between them they have 5 different 223R AR platforms and a Ruger Ranch. ( I thought I raised them better. :o ) Never had a single complaint about misfeeds, FTF, etc. Someday they will realize that M1 Carbine, Garand, AK and SKS are better choices. :P

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 16 Jul 2018 07:15
by Ranch Dog
daboone wrote:Someday they will realize that M1 Carbine, Garand, AK, and SKS are better choices. :P
Amen!

I would think that if the chamber were that tight, it would be out of the SAAMI spec, and the manufacturer did not do its job correctly. Lee dies are cut .006" over chamber spec. Most others, .008", I suspect that RCBS is tightening it up to .006" on the small dies.

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 16 Jul 2018 10:36
by Ohio3Wheels
I, currently own 4 sets of 223 dies, first was an RCBS set bought used but not abused, number 2 is a Lee set, number 3 is a Hornady New Dimension set and 4 is a RCBS small base set with a taper crimp seater. With first set I was experiencing a more than acceptable rate of failure to go into battery. So having read someplace that Lee makes a tight die I picked up a set, it helped but it was a total cure. So at a gun show I found a deal on the Hornady die set and picked it up, the first 100 rounds worked all .the time every time done on the rock chucker. Decided to press my luck set them up on the Dillon and out of the first 50 6 failed to go into battery. Cussed and discussed and went into deep thought mode.

Results from deep thought. I shoot mostly on public ranges and at least some of the brass I pick up didn't come from my AR. Not all AR chambers are created equal, I've long suspected that economics being what they are barrel makers start with a near max reamer and run close if not to minimum and so it pays to get the brass back to original or maybe a bit less and so I bought the RCBS small base set. Set the sizing die up per their instructions (I read now and then) and so far through a couple hundred round it's been 100%. My barrel is not marked 223 but 5.56 so most likely a milspec chamber or close or it should be.

I figure with the sb dies you probably sacrifice some case life because you probably shove the shoulder back a little, but in my case not so much that it shows on the case gauge. YMMV

Make smoke,

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 16 Jul 2018 18:43
by kerrek
Thanks guys!

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 17 Jul 2018 04:29
by GasGuzzler
I use the Lee set with the Factory Crimp Die added.

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 17 Jul 2018 19:18
by horseman
I use RCBS dies for my AR rifle. A regular set and the X-dies. Not used the X dies but bought them because it seemed like they would work well for progressive reloading. In fact I use RCBS dies for just about everything I reload for except my "high power" hunting rifles, I use Forster Comp. dies for those. Do they make a difference (?) don't really know for my application or not. But they are a pleasure to use and I like them. I have one set of Lee dies and those came with the LM press I just purchased in 45acp. I've used a lot of Lee dies over the years but have just gotten away from them as for my use I prefer the RCBS dies for general use. I also use Hornady Cowboy dies for my cast bullet loads in 45 colt, 44mag, and 357. They have a bit more "generous" cut to them.

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 17 Jul 2018 21:48
by klr
I'm using the regular RCBS dies. They have worked fine in a couple of Mini 14s, several ARs, single shots, and bolt action rifles.

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 18 Jul 2018 13:59
by kerrek
So it looks like the general consensus is regular full length dies set! Thanks again!!

Re: .223 die selection

Posted: 20 Jul 2018 17:16
by akuser47
I use LEE and have been happy with the results. +guns