Reloading for an AR-15 (.223) on a Bonanza (Forster) Co-Ax

B

BlueDevil

Member
Good afternoon!

Just in the process of picking up my first AR-15 and would like to start buying dies and reloading components for it. I'm not in a huge rush to start reloading (still very green as well) but would like to start getting my hands on all the necessities. Money is a none issue.

Just a little background, I'm leaning towards Forster dies (3 die set) I will not be using this for hunting (I'm from Canada and we can only use it in a gun range) just target/silo shooting, not going to be used for competition (would like to still be somewhat accurate, LOL), I don't have any other .223's so fire formed cases will just be for this rifle. Not looking for any recipes just want to get pointed in the right direction. Just looking for input and experiences. Thanks everyone!
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I'm using a CO-AX and Forster dies and have great results. Made me realize that I blew $100 on a Hornady Concentricity checker when rounds on this set-up are perfectly inline. I did have to get a small base die when I got my last batch of brass that has a military origin. I do check all prepped brass in a Wilson chamber gauge. It's not the fastest setup, but I load as a hobby and enjoy my time doing it right.
Good luck to you.
 
Originally Posted By: MOfrogI'm using a CO-AX and Forster dies and have great results. Made me realize that I blew $100 on a Hornady Concentricity checker when rounds on this set-up are perfectly inline. I did have to get a small base die when I got my last batch of brass that has a military origin. I do check all prepped brass in a Wilson chamber gauge. It's not the fastest setup, but I load as a hobby and enjoy my time doing it right.
Good luck to you.

Thanks for the reply! If I used Lapua brass and only shot it through this particular rifle would I still need to purchase a small base die? just wondering. Thanks!
 
Originally Posted By: BlueDevilOriginally Posted By: MOfrogI'm using a CO-AX and Forster dies and have great results. Made me realize that I blew $100 on a Hornady Concentricity checker when rounds on this set-up are perfectly inline. I did have to get a small base die when I got my last batch of brass that has a military origin. I do check all prepped brass in a Wilson chamber gauge. It's not the fastest setup, but I load as a hobby and enjoy my time doing it right.
Good luck to you.

Thanks for the reply! If I used Lapua brass and only shot it through this particular rifle would I still need to purchase a small base die? just wondering. Thanks!

You should be fine with the Forster FL die.
 
I've loaded for several different brands of ARs in .223 over the years and never found the need for a small base die...

My Forster turns out some really great ammo as far as consistency...I think you will be pleased with your choices...
 
I hear they are good dies... I have a ???? just what do small base dies do compared to the regular .223 dies??? do they bump the sizing down a little more than a standard die????
 
Originally Posted By: i.huntI hear they are good dies... I have a ???? just what do small base dies do compared to the regular .223 dies??? do they bump the sizing down a little more than a standard die????

If you take a fired case and lie it along a straight edge, you will see it is bulged just above the head.

A standard FL die will size the case part way. If you lie the FL sized case along a straight edge, you will see that bulge is smaller but still there.

If you have a loose standard chamber, cases sized with a standard FL die will work fine.

But if you load range pickup brass, or you have a match, or a tight chamber, the bulge in the body that is left from a standard FL die, can the case to wedge into the chamber, and jam the rifle.. and they are a pain to get out.

If you use a small base die, that bulge will be almost nothing ( 2 or 3 thou) or completely gone.

Since most owners of semi 223 rifles go through cases pretty fast, they often buy range pick-up brass. If that is what you do, then a SB sizing die is very highly recommended.

They cost the same (except the Dillon @ $150-ish)... and there is no downside of using a SB sizing die... so if you are getting a set, it makes sense to get a small base FL die, it won't hurt anything, and it might keep you from jamming stuck a loaded round in your rifle at the range.

.
 
Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: i.huntI hear they are good dies... I have a ???? just what do small base dies do compared to the regular .223 dies??? do they bump the sizing down a little more than a standard die????

If you take a fired case and lie it along a straight edge, you will see it is bulged just above the head.

A standard FL die will size the case part way. If you lie the FL sized case along a straight edge, you will see that bulge is smaller but still there.

If you have a loose standard chamber, cases sized with a standard FL die will work fine.

But if you load range pickup brass, or you have a match, or a tight chamber, the bulge in the body that is left from a standard FL die, can the case to wedge into the chamber, and jam the rifle.. and they are a pain to get out.

If you use a small base die, that bulge will be almost nothing ( 2 or 3 thou) or completely gone.

Since most owners of semi 223 rifles go through cases pretty fast, they often buy range pick-up brass. If that is what you do, then a SB sizing die is very highly recommended.

They cost the same (except the Dillon @ $150-ish)... and there is no downside of using a SB sizing die... so if you are getting a set, it makes sense to get a small base FL die, it won't hurt anything, and it might keep you from jamming stuck a loaded round in your rifle at the range.

.


Does Forster make a small based die? i didn't see it on their website unless it needs to be custom made? I think they had the .308 in a small base die.
 
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Originally Posted By: BlueDevilOriginally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: i.huntI hear they are good dies... I have a ???? just what do small base dies do compared to the regular .223 dies??? do they bump the sizing down a little more than a standard die????

If you take a fired case and lie it along a straight edge, you will see it is bulged just above the head.

A standard FL die will size the case part way. If you lie the FL sized case along a straight edge, you will see that bulge is smaller but still there.

If you have a loose standard chamber, cases sized with a standard FL die will work fine.

But if you load range pickup brass, or you have a match, or a tight chamber, the bulge in the body that is left from a standard FL die, can the case to wedge into the chamber, and jam the rifle.. and they are a pain to get out.

If you use a small base die, that bulge will be almost nothing ( 2 or 3 thou) or completely gone.

Since most owners of semi 223 rifles go through cases pretty fast, they often buy range pick-up brass. If that is what you do, then a SB sizing die is very highly recommended.

They cost the same (except the Dillon @ $150-ish)... and there is no downside of using a SB sizing die... so if you are getting a set, it makes sense to get a small base FL die, it won't hurt anything, and it might keep you from jamming stuck a loaded round in your rifle at the range.

.


Does Forster make a small based die? i didn't see it on their website unless it needs to be custom made? I think they had the .308 in a small base die.

I don't know - their standard FL die might be SB, cuz a lot of manufactures are going that way cuz they are tired of getting dies back with angry notes in the box.

Call then and ask

Redding and RCBS do make special SB dies.
 
Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: BlueDevilOriginally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: i.huntI hear they are good dies... I have a ???? just what do small base dies do compared to the regular .223 dies??? do they bump the sizing down a little more than a standard die????

If you take a fired case and lie it along a straight edge, you will see it is bulged just above the head.

A standard FL die will size the case part way. If you lie the FL sized case along a straight edge, you will see that bulge is smaller but still there.

If you have a loose standard chamber, cases sized with a standard FL die will work fine.

But if you load range pickup brass, or you have a match, or a tight chamber, the bulge in the body that is left from a standard FL die, can the case to wedge into the chamber, and jam the rifle.. and they are a pain to get out.

If you use a small base die, that bulge will be almost nothing ( 2 or 3 thou) or completely gone.

Since most owners of semi 223 rifles go through cases pretty fast, they often buy range pick-up brass. If that is what you do, then a SB sizing die is very highly recommended.

They cost the same (except the Dillon @ $150-ish)... and there is no downside of using a SB sizing die... so if you are getting a set, it makes sense to get a small base FL die, it won't hurt anything, and it might keep you from jamming stuck a loaded round in your rifle at the range.

.


Does Forster make a small based die? i didn't see it on their website unless it needs to be custom made? I think they had the .308 in a small base die.

I don't know - their standard FL die might be SB, cuz a lot of manufactures are going that way cuz they are tired of getting dies back with angry notes in the box.

Call then and ask

Redding and RCBS do make special SB dies.

Awesome I emailed Forster! Will let you guys know what they say.
 
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