Dies for ARs

[pdh]

I am going to reload ammo for my Bushmaster V Match.
Will it be nessasary to get the small base dies?

 

[Mr White]

Full length dies will work fine loading for an AR. You'll have to trim your brass every 2-3 loadings though.

 

[JonB]

I use regular full length sizing dies (Lee set). I did some reading prior to a purchase and read that the small base dies will size the brass slightly smaller than the full length. Also read here and other places that it's probably not necessary and works your brass a bit more that a regular die.

 

[spencerhut]

RCBS X-Die

Think about getting X-Dies, you only need to trim once.

 

[nbkky71]

Small base dies are only necessary if your rifle requires them. Most of the time full-length resize will be fine. I've been loading .223 ammo for my tuned, match AR15 for several years and have never once needed a small-base die.

I prefer to trim each time I resize but I have a Giraud trimmer, which makes trimming cases en-masee a snap.

 

[pdh]

Sounds great! I have full lenght dies in RCBS already......Thanks

 

[MAUSER88]

If you have chambering problems just buy a RCBS small base resizing die.

 

[kelbro]

I use SB just because that's what I bought when I started loading .223 many years ago. Unnecessary? Who knows? Never had a round fail to chamber even in some tight match chambers. I still get 10-12 loads from a piece of LC brass so I don't see where it hurts brass longevity.

 

[Idano]

RCBS X-Die

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Think about getting X-Dies, you only need to trim once.

+1 Spencerhut

Anyone who reloads any of these calibers should be using RCBS X-Dies unless they just like to trim brass

.204 RUGER
.22 HORNET
.22-250 REM
.220 SWIFT
.222 REM
.223 REM
223 WIN SUPER SHORT MAG
.243 WIN
43 WIN SUPER SHORT MAG
25 WIN SUPER SHORT MAG
.25-06
.260 REM
6.5MMX55 SWEDISH MAUSER
.270 WIN SHORT MAG
.270 WIN
.280 REM
7MM REM MAG
7MM REM SA ULTRA MAG
7MM REM ULTRA MAG
7MM STW
7MM WIN SHORT MAG
7MM-08 REM
.30-06 SPRINGFIELD
.30-30 WIN
.300 REM SA ULTRA MAG
.300 REM ULTRA MAG
.300 WBY MAG
.300 WIN MAG
.300 WIN SHORT MAG
.303 BRITISH
.308 WIN
8MMX57 MAUSER
325 WSM
.338 REM ULTRA MAG
.338 WIN MAG
.375 REM ULTRA MAG​

Once you use and X-Die you'll never go back unless your masochistic!

 

[pdh]

Ok...do not know much about the X-die.......what's the difference....how do they work?
Thanks

 

[Idano]

ABOUT THE X DIE
The X-Sizer die is a uniquely designed full length resizing die for
bottleneck rifle cases. This die not only full length resizes the
case, it also limits the growth of the case. This eliminates the
need for repeated trimming after an initial trim is done to standardize
the case. This die is not intended to shorten the length of
the case, rather, as the case grows, the mandrel will reduce the
normal rate of growth. This is the result of the case mouth coming
in contact with the mandrel stop during resizing. Cases repeatedly
sized in the X-Sizer die will grow a few thousandths of an inch initially,
and will then stabilize below the maximum case length.
Using the X-Sizer die eliminates the need to trim after each shot.
X-Sizer dies can be used for full-length resizing with or without
the X feature. Partial neck sizing can be done but only without
the X feature.

Read more about the RCBS X-Die here. The X-Die is as significant improvement to rifle reloading as the carbide die was to pistol reloading.

 

[stubbicatt]

+1 on the Xdie. I use it in 308, but haven't spent the money yet for 223 dies.