RCBS X-Dies: Do they eliminate trimming ?

[tlen]

I'm gearing up for bulk AR15 .223 shooting & reloading. Do the RCBS X-Dies work as claimed and eliminate case trimming or are they just another fad ?
If they work, would the small base X-Die be better for an AR15 ? So far I have had no problems using a standard FL sizing die.

 

[hentown]

The X dies work as advertised. You won't need the small base dies. Just be aware that you need to trim to 1.740 once, then no more trimming.

 

[fguffey]

I do not believe there is a claim by RCBS that the ‘X’ die eliminates case growth??? The instructions recommends trimming the case .020 thousandths before starting, if the ‘X’ die eliminated growth the case would remain .020 thousandths short.

F. Guffey

 

[EddieNFL]

Brass flows. If the case doesn't get longer, where does the flow go? Thicker necks, possibly. Had an XP in 7BR with a custom cut chamber. Had to turn the necks every four or five firings. This was using a traditional size die.

 

[rayatphonix]

somewhat...

I've been using these dies for my Rem 260 Mauser since I got the rifle. I trimmed as directed and started using the brass. Brass is Nosler.

I have loaded this brass 4 or maybe 5 times. Out of 20 cases, 5 needed to be trimmed (but just a little). This is the first time I've had to trim any of these cases. I'm happy with the RCBS X-dies and will probably buy again if I start shooting a caliber I don't have.

 

[Steve in PA]

The X-dies work as advertised. I use them in .223 and .30/06 reloads.

RCBS says to trim .223 brass to -.020 under max length; 1.760" - .020" = 1.740".

The X-die is then set up according to the shorter brass and you go from there.

Personally, I trim and have my .223 x-die set up for 1.750" and get no case growth.

 

[ranger335v]

Just a thought and an alternate view; any cases I've trimmed 20 thou off gets trashed anyway so any gimmick die that stops lengthening after that would be pointless to me.

 

[IMtheNRA]

About a year ago, I ran a test batch of 300 cases, fired 4 times each, using the .223 X-Die. The die worked as advertized - it did not eliminate growth, but it stopped it at a certain length, which is deteremined by how the die is set up.

All the cases grew longer, some more than others, but none exceeded the maximum pre-set length.

The die does a great job, but I wanted all my cases to be the same length, so I now use a standard FL sizing die and I trim the cases prior to each use.

If I were to use the die again for plinking ammo, I'd probably use it on Federal .223 cases, since they are already very short of the standard trim-to length. That way, I wouldn't have to reset my trimmer to make short cases.

 

[Dehan]

need help

I am using RCBS die for my 7x64, now i want to find out about the crimping. Is it even necessary for crimping the bullet in the case? Would be grateful if someone can advise me.

 

[rayatphonix]

I don't for my 260

I use the X-dies and haven't had any problems without crimping.

 

[25cschaefer]

The only reasons to crimp rifle shells are: heavy recoil (to prevent bullet set back when bouncing around in the mag), rough storage (bouncing around the battlefield in a can or long hunting expeditions in rough country), and military thinking, "It has to work 110% of the time, no matter what you do to it" in which case you would need primer/bullet sealer.

The 7x64 is similar to a 280 Rem and therefore not a heavy recoiling magnum; so unless your rifle weighs 2 lbs, you are hunting in Africa, or planning an invasion, the only thing crimping will do is hurt accuracy.

 

[hentown]

Just a thought and an alternate view; any cases I've trimmed 20 thou off gets trashed anyway so any gimmick die that stops lengthening after that would be pointless to me.

Brilliant!!!! Simply brilliant! Glad I dropped in on this thread!