.223 Rem dies -- what is all this?

[SingleStack]

I recently acquired some hand-me-down reloading equipment and have the following .223 Rem dies. All are RCBS:

1. seat "88"
2. seat and full lenght "W"
3. seat and full length "Y"
4. small base ("SB") FL 82

What is the difference between the different seat and FL resize dies?

 

[P0832177]

RCBS has put the year of MFG on the top of the dies.

FL is full length sizing die = this is the die to use for all kinds of guns from bolt guns to gas guns.

Small Base sizing die= this is for resizing brass that is has been fired in over sized chamber, usually from sloppy chambered M249. The SB sizer is more likely to be used in the 308 as most mil surp brass was fired in sloppy chamberd MG of various flavors.

Seater die = this die is adjustable for seating the bullet, and it can be used to crimp. You should not try to crimp and seat in the same operation.

Go to www.rcbs.com and read the FAQ's for more clarification.

 

[SingleStack]

Thanks John. One thing I did not learn from their site is what the "Y" and "W" stamps are on the dies. Is this a designation that correlates to year of manfacture?

 

[P0832177]

When all else call them on Monday!