Just started in with reloading .223 for my recently completed AR 15 build. Thus far, I have only fired factory ammo through it, and it runs fine. Now added the Lee 3 die rifle set in .223. I am a Lee fan, but am not locked in.
So far with pistol reloading, Lee has done me VERY well. ( 4 die deluxe carbide 9mm ). Naturally, I got some Lee 223 stuff to start. Having read up on reloading for AR when I started this build, this is what I have gleaned thus far, please correct as needed!
It seems if I am only using once fired brass that was fired from MY gun, Lee contends that the neck sizer is sufficient, without the need for the full length die. Well, this is fine and all but I have been reading about those shooters reloading range brass or other brass that WAS NOT fired through the weapon being loaded for. I have every intention of buying "once fired brass" in .223 once I get going, so this was interesting to me.
One read concerned a guy who was experiencing problems with his rounds properly cycling in his AR, who had been using the Lee Full length die. When the bullet was placed in a L.E. Wilson sizing thing, it didnt seat just quite perfectly. I do not know if it the brass was fired through his weapon or what, but he felt the Lee unit wasnt resizing sufficiently and got a small base RCBS unit, that according to him, cured the problem.
I have looked at various RCBS and Redding dies, mostly their expensive ones wondering if I am going to end up needing something like this as I buy up once fired brass, and add other guns (both AR platform and bolt action) with different chambers and so forth to the mix.
No need to bash this or that, just wanting feedback from those successfully reloading AR platform .223/5.56 ammo ( in terms of ammo function in weapon ) and what dies are being used.
Other questions concern the need for not only Full length resizing but also the need for "small base" dies.
Thanks in advance,
Russellc
So far with pistol reloading, Lee has done me VERY well. ( 4 die deluxe carbide 9mm ). Naturally, I got some Lee 223 stuff to start. Having read up on reloading for AR when I started this build, this is what I have gleaned thus far, please correct as needed!
It seems if I am only using once fired brass that was fired from MY gun, Lee contends that the neck sizer is sufficient, without the need for the full length die. Well, this is fine and all but I have been reading about those shooters reloading range brass or other brass that WAS NOT fired through the weapon being loaded for. I have every intention of buying "once fired brass" in .223 once I get going, so this was interesting to me.
One read concerned a guy who was experiencing problems with his rounds properly cycling in his AR, who had been using the Lee Full length die. When the bullet was placed in a L.E. Wilson sizing thing, it didnt seat just quite perfectly. I do not know if it the brass was fired through his weapon or what, but he felt the Lee unit wasnt resizing sufficiently and got a small base RCBS unit, that according to him, cured the problem.
I have looked at various RCBS and Redding dies, mostly their expensive ones wondering if I am going to end up needing something like this as I buy up once fired brass, and add other guns (both AR platform and bolt action) with different chambers and so forth to the mix.
No need to bash this or that, just wanting feedback from those successfully reloading AR platform .223/5.56 ammo ( in terms of ammo function in weapon ) and what dies are being used.
Other questions concern the need for not only Full length resizing but also the need for "small base" dies.
Thanks in advance,
Russellc
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