Competition Seating Dies

[Swamprabbit]

Have done the search and seen some postings but I am curious, how many of you use a "competition seating" die for your AR-15 .223 rounds? I have been studying my 80 grain loads and an considering getting one of these dies for them. Now, my rifle groups quite well (have shot several 1.5" and 2.0" 300yd groups) using just a standard RCBS seating die so would you think one of these dies would tighten up the groups much more?

 

[Hoser]

I like the Redding Competition dies and use them in all my calibers, pistol included.

I did notice my flyers didnt stray so far from the herd.

Check the runout of a loaded round. If its good with your RCBS, no real reason to change

 

[Gary H]

Hoser:

You have even noticed an improvement in pistol calibers?

 

[Swamprabbit]

How does one measure "runnout"?

 

[Jeeper]

I use the redding one in 40 because it is so easy to check variation in the loads and to try new lengths.

 

[Slipstick]

Runout

The "proper" way is to spend $100 and get a runout gage.

The expedient way is to put loaded round on a sheet of white paper and roll it around while watching the bullet tip. If the tip seems to "wobble" you have an issue. If you can't see a wobble, it's likely not a problem.

Unless you have a bad/worn out seater die, you shoud get decent runout ( ie <.003 in. ) from any properly set-up die. Something that may help you feel better is to seat the bullet twice. Lower the ram after the 1st seating, turn the completed round 90 degrees in the shell holder, and seat again.

Almost as good as buying the gage, but cheaper, and it works pretty well.

 

[Clark]

I had just upgraded a half dozen calibers to Forster dies, then I went to the range with some ammo loaded with plain old RCBS dies and shot 1" 5 shot groups at 100m with an 8mm kicking like a mule [2650 fps 200gr].

I realize now that most any die set with the expander ball removed can load as well as I can shoot.

I could have saved my money

 

[ocabj]

Sell them. I'm pretty sure you can recoup at least 80% of what you paid for them. Maybe even more considering how people bid on eBay.