.223 dies

[U.S. Patriot]

I'm about to order equipment to reload .223 for an AR. From what I have read, some will say use Lee's full length sizing die, others will say use RCBS small base resizing die. I'm not here to discount anyones recommendations. The more I read though, I'm getting mixed answers. So for those that reload .223 for the AR platform what do you use?

 

[Squirt239]

I personally use the RCBS small base dies. I reload on the Hornady LNL AP. Haven't had a problem yet with FTF or FTE. Accuracy definitely goes up by reloading your own!!! I've been using BLC2 for powder and Sierra 52 gr HPBT's

 

[AllenM]

I have never had the need for small base dies and have loaded and shot hundreds maybe a thousand or two 223 through my AR's
I got the same mixed advice when I was trying to decide but I chose opinions I trusted and they were right as far as my experiance has been that the samll base dies wern't needed.

 

[AllenM]

well, there you go. Two opinions and two differant answers

I vote for Redding dies though

 

[sloughfoot]

Not only do I use the Lee FL die, I do it in my lap while watching TV with a Lee hand press.

I have never had a need for a SB die.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I never needed SB dies for .223. I would only buy one if I had troubles using a standard FL die.

 

[OneBadV8]

I vote for Redding dies though

 

[red_zr24x4]

I use Lee Fl dies for .223 AR, 30-06 Garand ,and 308 M1A.
My brother has FL RCBS for all the same calibers and I've used them, didnt notice any difference except for the fact that if you get a berdan case and break the pin its easier to replace it than the whole mandrel of the Lee

 

[sgreen3]

Straight from Lee, they recomend the "Full Length Die" along with the "FCD" for AR15 reloading

 

[Yeah]

I use Redding dies almost exclusively, because I own a concentricity gauge.

Dillon are all right as are RCBS. I'd take an anything over Lee, but you don't really want to use small base dies unless you have to, and you are fireforming to the same chamber you most likely won't. Working brass more than you have to wastes accuracy as brass life.

 

[Leo]

Yeah is right about excessively sizing your brass killing the life for no good reason. I have also seen over worked brass cause FTF because of light firing pin strikes.

I know that Lee recommends their factory crimp dies for the AR. I don't know why. I shot enough rounds to wear out five Kreiger barrels in 5 years feeding them almost exclusively Sierra MatchKings, 69 or 77 grain and Hornady 68 or 75 grain bullets. I NEVER crimped a single cartridge. I do not think it has to do with me using the longer bullets, because I used the little Sierra 52 gr MatchKing for the short 100 yard matches. A clean neck that has been sized in a full length sizer will have the proper tension with a simple metal to metal interference fit. Oh, and I used the same Lee die set the whole time I was wearing out those barrels

 

[Slapstick]

I have both and find that I use the Lee dies the most. I've never had a problem with the ammo feeding in any .223/5.56 gun I've shot my ammo through and that includes using surplus military brass for the reloads.

 

[sgreen3]

I know that Lee recommends their factory crimp dies for the AR. I shot enough rounds to wear out five Kreiger barrels in 5 years feeding them almost exclusively Sierra MatchKings, 69 or 77 grain and Hornady 68 or 75 grain bullets. I NEVER crimped a single cartridge. A clean neck that has been sized in a full length sizerwill have the proper tension with a simple metal to metal interference fit. Oh, and I used the same Lee die set the whole time I was wearing out those barrels

Good info to know, thanks for sharing

 

[SSGSAD]

IIRC, you ONLY need the SB die, or neck die, if you use the SAME brass, in the SAME gun, ( bolt action) and as I have read, on this forum, sooner or later, you will HAVE to FL resize ..... I use Lee, and have NO problem, with an AR... I shoot plinkers, and MATCH .....ammo

 

[Menace67]

I am using the lee fl sizing die with a turret press and I have sized 2k brass .223 in the last 2 weeks and I have had no problem.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm also going to get a Lee universal de-priming die so I can de-prime without have to lube my cases.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm also going to get a Lee universal de-priming die so I can de-prime without have to lube my cases.

You'll still have to lube to size so why do an extra step? Just lube size and deprime all in one step

 

[U.S. Patriot]

You'll still have to lube to size so why do an extra step? Just lube size and deprime all in one step

From what I have read the universal die is better for de-priming military cases.

 

[mike8170]

I always use the Lee Full Length die, but I did get the heavier decapping pin for crimped cases. I have probably reloaded 10k with the set of dies I am using right now and not had any issues at all.

 

[45-70]

You'll still have to lube to size so why do an extra step? Just lube size and deprime all in one step

What he said ^^^^^^^^ +1

I have always used the Lee full length dies as well.