.223 Die Sets

Rooster_Feather

Rooster_Feather

Member
Which die set do I buy to reload my .223 shells?

My friend will be doing it for me if I buy the die set. He has a RCBS reloader.

I was doing a search and there are about 20 different kinds, not to mention different brands. For example Full Length, Small Base, etc.

I thought that I would only have to by two dies. I am completely new to this, so what do I need? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

My buddy reloads all the time, he is the expert, not me. But, he has never reloaded .223.

Please help! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif

Roooooooooster
 
If you are going to use your own brass, or new brass, I would recommend full length resizing dies. I like Hornady well, especially on small bullets like .223. If you are going to buy once fired brass off the internet, most of it is fired from military rifles and I would recommend using a small base die. I have RCBS and they have served me well. I know a lot of guys don't recommend small base dies, but I had problems with brass feeding in my AR-15 until I started using small base dies. I've shot the small base resized brass in my AR, my CZ and a H & R and the loads shoot well in all of them.
 
Quote:
If you are going to buy once fired brass off the internet, most of it is fired from military rifles and I would recommend using a small base die.



Not wanting to hijack this, BUT....A am fixing to buy dies also.....

WHAT IS A "SMALL BASE DIE" AND HOW EXACTLY IS IT DIFFERENT?
 
Generally small base dies size the brass farther down on the base than normal. Have used them all over the years and have found that it makes no difference between the two. Most folks use small base dies for semi-auto's. I would look to Redding, Bonanza, or RCBS.
 
Dillon! Hands down, no question

Second choice would be Redding.

OHHH.......Happy Birthday Rooster
 
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RCBS, user friendly, best customer service in the business. 223 bullets are awkward to seat, I use the RCBS comp seating die that is unique in the reloading world.
Jim
 
I have the Redding 3 die set and they are great. Redding 3 die sets are around $60 but are very good quality. I have 223 and 243 and just sold my 204 and dies cause it never got shot much.
Daryl P.
 
With all these mentioned dies....Will they work in a RCBS reloader? Or do I have to purchase the RCBS die? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif


Roooooooster
 
They should all use the standard thread size of 7/8 x 14.

I have been using the Hornady New Dimension for my 223. The seating die moves inside the die to align the bullet and not pinch the fingers with the small bullets.
 
I have .223 dies; Lee RGB, Lee FC, RCBS small base, Forster Ultra, Redding FL "S".

In other calibers I have Wilson FL, neck, and in line seater dies, Lee Collet dies, Lyman M dies, lyman regular dies, and other die brands.


I think that with a cheap set of RCBS FL dies with the expander ball removed one can get 1 moa in hard kicking rifles and better than that in a .223.
 
Some how I end up with an extra RCBS .223 Rem dies set
they are as new in the original box with all papers.
$25 shipped, PM me if you want them
 
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