Which dies to buy?

I've been slowly buying the components to start reloading .223, and I am down to the dies. It will be for AR type weapons. I don't care what brand, but I see them from redding for 60 bucks down to lee's for under 20, 2 and 3 dies sets. I'll be using a universal decapping die so I can clean them after depriming, but with so many choices (not to mention i've never reloaded other than shotgun) i've come to the experts for advice.

Thanks!

My first choice is Redding.

Any of the dies from the major manufacturers will serve you well. Each has their own small features that sets them apart from the others.

I prefer Redding first and RCBS as an alternate.

Lots of folks like the bargain priced Lee dies. Forrester, Hornady and Lyman all have their advantages as well.

A simple Lee RGB 2-Die Set 223 Remington (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/554943/lee-rgb-2-die-set-223-remington?cm_vc=subv1776391) should be all you need and should serve you well for what you need. If you add a collet neck sizing die you would have the Lee Deluxe 3-Die Set 223 Remington. (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/776391/lee-deluxe-3-die-set-223-remington) Eventually you move along to something like the RCBS Competition 2-Die Set 223 Remington (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/305950/rcbs-competition-2-die-set-223-remington) with a gasp of OMG I can't believe they cost that much. :)

Lee dies while inexpensive should do just fine for what you need. Everyone has a preference and the various die sets offer various features.

As was mentioned dies get pricey as features are added.

Ron

A 2 die set from any of the manufacturers will do fine and last a lifetime. Yes, even the Lee dies. There is a bit of difference in style and finish, but a two die set is a two die set. A sizer/decapper, and a seater die. Enjoy the hobby.

Hard to beat RCBS, but any die set will work fine for all but the most demanding shooting.

Any of the dies will work fine unless you have an extra tight chamber where you might need a small base die. The most important thing with .223 is to properly lube the cases. Remember, uniform and thin is better than hasty and thick. With the thin and weak rim a stuck case is very likely so a stuck case remover (or a contraption you build yourself) is usually a good investment.

RCBS or Redding. My preference for dies is RCBS.

For AR loading with full length resizing? Just grab a $30 RCBS 2 die set. You'll never wear them out.

Of the more than 50 sets of reloading dies that i have, the vast majority of them are RCBS. That's the brand i prefer...

DM

I have mostly Lee and RCBS dies and equipment. They've worked fine for me. As the folk above said, you can get a good product from any of the major makers. Think about what you can afford start looking from there.

I started with the LEE 3 die set, but I have never used the FCD. I crimp with the seating die.

I have no complaints with the sizing/expanding. Quite perfect, actually. Cases fit the low end of my case gauge, on the dot. Neck tension is good, despite the expander ball withdrawing effortlessly (on some cases, it feels like it's not even doing anything; seems like they dialed in the sizing die's neck just right). But I got a Lyman M die for expanding, because I am shooting cast bullets, and they don't seat right without a little flare.

I also am using a Hornady seating die, again, because of seating cast bullets, is all. I had no issues with the Lee set when doing jacketed. Would still be fine to this day with just those 2 Lee dies and the free shellholder. :)

Well, actually I had one issue. My sizing die scratched the outside of the case necks until I honed it. Thousands of rounds later, it's still working fine.

Having bent two decapping rods in my Hornady sizer, I gotta say Lee is my favorite sizing die, so far. Also, the Hornady rifle sizing dies have a rep for overworking the neck, making expanding difficult and reducing case life. (My Hornady 7mm08 die is no exception). Hornady is my favorite rifle bullet seating die. But I don't have any other dies to compare to, other than Lee and Hornady.

Lyman M die is fantastic for flaring my 7mm-08 cases; it really reduces the expanding effort by a huge margin on all my 7mm-08 cases, but esp for those thick 308-to-7mm08 converted cases. No neck lube necessary. No inside chamfer necessary, for that matter.

For AR service rifles you should Full Length size with a Small Base die.
All Dillon and Hornady rifle dies are Small Base.
Redding and RCBS offer SB and Standard FL dies.

Once again, THR comes thru for a noob. Thanks!

all kinds of dies from 40+ years of reloading...all work, but i like lee for cost, ruggedness and features; all but the rgb sets include a shell holder, loading data and powder scoop with recommended recipes.

i like the ruggedness of lee's decapper/neck expander...designed so a stuck case can be removed from a die by merely loosening the nut holding the rod and driving the case out with a mallet; sure beats all other methods i've used, most of which cost at least a decapping pin.

I'd recommend you start with the Lee dies, they're inexpensive and if you should happen to stick a case the "stuck case remover" is a hammer. :)
You may or may not want to use the Lee FCD, but if you're going to be loading for ARs, don't bother getting neck sizing dies, semi auto rounds should be full length resized.

I have Lee, RCBS and Redding, for some reason I always end up using the Lees more.:):)

I have a lot of Lee dies but I'm changing my mind lately and buying RCBS when I need dies for a new caliber. My handgun dies are mostly Lee and my rifle dies are mostly RCBS and Hornay.

That said, I own Lee, RCBS, Hornady and a few older die sets and all make quality ammo that's accurate and goes bang every time. I kinda like the new Hornady Nitride dies but they cost a lot. I guess what I'm saying is, it's really a matter of preference more than anything else.

"A 2 die set from any of the manufacturers will do fine and last a lifetime. Yes, even the Lee dies. There is a bit of difference in style and finish, but a two die set is a two die set. A sizer/decapper, and a seater die. Enjoy the hobby."

Ditto, well said. I have some 50 sets of dies in 30 + calibers from a dozen or so makers and it's hard to 'beat' any of them simply by brand; they all work quite well for me. What I 'prefer' is meaningless to others because it's just my taste for a few features that are clearly meaningless to others. The limit to the ammo produced is the user's skill, not the brand.

Something to think about. If you buy all your dies from the same manufacturer and have a problem like a bend decaping rod, you may be able to switch things around and get by till you order replacements.

Just my .02.........

A simple Lee RGB 2-Die Set 223 Remington (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/554943/lee-rgb-2-die-set-223-remington?cm_vc=subv1776391) should be all you need and should serve you well for what you need. If you add a collet neck sizing die you would have the Lee Deluxe 3-Die Set 223 Remington. (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/776391/lee-deluxe-3-die-set-223-remington) Eventually you move along to something like the RCBS Competition 2-Die Set 223 Remington (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/305950/rcbs-competition-2-die-set-223-remington) with a gasp of OMG I can't believe they cost that much. :)

Lee dies while inexpensive should do just fine for what you need. Everyone has a preference and the various die sets offer various features.

As was mentioned dies get pricey as features are added.

Ron
Along with those 2 Lee sets there's a third set, the Pacesetter Die Set (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/434975/lee-pacesetter-3-die-set-223-remington?cm_vc=subv1776391). Instead of the neck sizing die the third die is a Factory Crimp Die. I like the FCD doe putting a light crimp on the ammo meant for my bolt action rifle. while I know it's not necessary I like the light crimp.

Like I said above though, I'm really liking RCBS dies for rifle loading now. I especially like their X-Dies (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/194698/rcbs-x-die-2-die-set-223-remington) because it limits the necessity of trimming your brass after the first trimming. They work harder the brass less because they work the brass less.

I have the Lee with the factory crimp die and I have a Hornady set. Both work well but I prefer the Hornady set a bit better.

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