556/223 loads for AR -- Die Choices
- Thread starter RichCotte
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Are you crimping?
Many, myself included find no need to crimp for use in .223 in semi-autos.
The dies you have will do a fine job of it, but cases have to be trimmed to the same length.
The AR taper crimp die is not as critical on case length, but trimming will still be necessary.
Perhaps the cheapest and best solution if you must crimp is the Lee FCD die.
It is collet operated off the shell holder, and case length is totally out of the equation.
rc
Many, myself included find no need to crimp for use in .223 in semi-autos.
The dies you have will do a fine job of it, but cases have to be trimmed to the same length.
The AR taper crimp die is not as critical on case length, but trimming will still be necessary.
Perhaps the cheapest and best solution if you must crimp is the Lee FCD die.
It is collet operated off the shell holder, and case length is totally out of the equation.
rc
It sounds like you're wanting to experiment with your process?
If so, try using a competition bullet seater die. No crimp.
I'm very happy with my results.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
He can do No Crimp with his RCBS standard seating die with a simple die adjustment.
rc
rc
I am also in the "No Crimp" camp with my rifle ammunition. There are some tubular magazine rifles and shoulder buster cartridges that benefit from crimping but I do not own any of those.
My recommendation on purchasing dies for AR-15s is "If you do not own any dies, get a small base resizing die. It is cheap insurance from chambering problems in the future and has no ill effects. But if you already own dies, a standard resizing die will serve you well, just be aware that cases not shot in your rifle may (low percentage chance) cause chambering issues."
As Hungry1 noted, I like seater dies with the micrometer seating stem for cartridges where I change bullets frequently. It makes it easy to reset the die for a different bullets. While Redding and RCBS seater dies with a micrometer stem are nice they are pricey. The micrometer seater stem for Hornady dies is a reasonable cost alternative.
My recommendation on purchasing dies for AR-15s is "If you do not own any dies, get a small base resizing die. It is cheap insurance from chambering problems in the future and has no ill effects. But if you already own dies, a standard resizing die will serve you well, just be aware that cases not shot in your rifle may (low percentage chance) cause chambering issues."
As Hungry1 noted, I like seater dies with the micrometer seating stem for cartridges where I change bullets frequently. It makes it easy to reset the die for a different bullets. While Redding and RCBS seater dies with a micrometer stem are nice they are pricey. The micrometer seater stem for Hornady dies is a reasonable cost alternative.
No.
And, you do not necessarily have to seat to the cannelure. You can treat the bullet as you would any bullet without a cannelure.
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