need a set of 223 dies

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Chetc

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I am looking for a new set of 223 reloadings dies, i am presently using a lee set and have no issues shooting them out of my AR 15, but i have been hearing alot of good thing on the new carbide dies, are the Dillon dies the way to go, they are costly at over 125.00 dollars are they going to produce any loads to enhance accuracy ect, any other suggestions for other dies that have a good reliable track record for producing straight and concentric ammo.

Chet
 
You'll still have to lube the cases, even with Dillon carbide rifle dies. I looked at a set, didn't feel it was worth the extra money.
 
Dillon Three-Die Rifle Die Sets include a sizing/ depriming die, a bullet seating die and a taper crimp die. Sizing/Depriming Die
The sizing/depriming die is full-length, minimum tolerance die, sizing cases down to function in semi- and full-automatic firearms. We strongly suggest that a headspace case gage be used to correctly adjust the size die.
For high volume users, such as commercial reloaders, law enforcement agencies, and high power or service rifle competitors, we also offer .223 and .308 die sets with a full-length carbide sizing die. Lubrication is still required, but the increased scratch resistance and die longevity of carbide are of great benefit to these groups of users.
Click to expand...

No magic and you still need to lubricate. For my money since you mention:
are they going to produce any loads to enhance accuracy ect, any other suggestions for other dies that have a good reliable track record for producing straight and concentric ammo.
Click to expand...

I like the RCBS Competition Full Length die sets in 223 Remington and 308 Winchester. I happen to use and like RCBS but there are other competition die sets out there that are similar.

RCBS

Redding

Those being two examples.

Ron
 
the way i reload my 223 now is after i FS the brass, i notice the bullets are sort of hard to seat, a lot of neck tension, so i made a mandrel that is .002 larger the the ball expander, so i have a separate operation where i run the mandrel down in the neck and then i have perfect neck tension, so hoping when i get my next set of 223 dies i would like to have the type that has expander balls that can be changed so i can have control over neck tension.


Chet
 
Then what you might want is a bushing die set. I like my Redding one. It's a steel die, but it has a carbide neck ring that is changeable in size, giving you the perfect neck tension. The down sides are each ring is 25$. I only have one so far, but it's been good for all the plinking ammo I use in 223. I'm not an accuracy nerd in that cal yet, but I do like proper neck tension, as most would.

You can also buy just the size die so you can keep your seat and crimp if you like. Makes it a little more affordable.
 
Chetc said:
the way i reload my 223 now is after i FS the brass, i notice the bullets are sort of hard to seat, a lot of neck tension, so i made a mandrel that is .002 larger the the ball expander, so i have a separate operation where i run the mandrel down in the neck and then i have perfect neck tension, so hoping when i get my next set of 223 dies i would like to have the type that has expander balls that can be changed so i can have control over neck tension.


Chet
Click to expand...
Then as mentioned you was dies like the Redding Type S Match Bushing 3-Die Neck Sizer Set 223 Remington and keep in mind that after you buy those dies you need the bushings. Bushings run about $20 to $30 each. Redding die bushings sold separately. While not quite inexpensive they do work quite well. :)

Ron
 
To be honest, i have neck bushing dies for my 6br and 6.5x284, they are great. IF the neck wall thickness is consistent, as for my 223 for my AR 15 i have alot of mixed brass ect, neck bushings are really not what i want here in this case, i have more constant neck tension using a mandrel, so what i think i want is a full sizing dies where i can change the buttons to control the neck tension. so i dont have to do the mandrel step. if i can't find a dies with interchangeable buttons,otherwise which i really dont want to do is make them from tool steel and harden them.

Chet
 
You can buy replacement Lee decapper/neck size rods of larger diameter sizes used in other rifle dies (say 6MM). Just buy one (or many) that is larger than you want chuck it in a drill and sand/polish it to the size you want. I would start there.;) Lots less money as you already have their dies. If that is not what works for you spend more and get one of the dies like mentioned above. You will want to FL size for an AR anyway.
 
All of my dies are Lee.
I've used other brands of dies, but found no advantage.

Yes, you can buy carbide rifle dies, but you still have to lube.
The only dies you don't have to lube are straight walled handgun dies.

Even shouldered handgun cases need lube - like 7.62x25 Tokarev

The only dies in my 12 caliber collection that aren't Lee are 38/357 sizing dies.
For some reason the mouth seems extra tight on the Lees & now & then it crushes a case.
So I have several other brands of sizing/depriming dies for those 2 calibers.
Everything else is Lee.
 
For some reason the mouth seems extra tight on the Lees & now & then it crushes a case.
Click to expand...
For some reason some other makers have exaggerated (Flared) the start to the mouth so much that it adversely affects the sizing down low on the case. I prefer sizers that are not excessively flared.


Anyway, you still have to lube for carbide .223 dies, so what "advantage" are you looking for with them?

I understood the question to be one of accuracy.

are they going to produce any loads to enhance accuracy ect, any other suggestions for other dies that have a good reliable track record for producing straight and concentric ammo
Click to expand...
Which is why I suggested the dies that I did.
 
i have lee die's and have no problem with them ,now i am using rcbs small base x-dies and they are my go to die's now .
 
W.E.G. said:
If it aint broke, don't "fix" it.
Click to expand...

I'll agree with that. I've got dies from just about every company except Dillon. None of them are really "bad". If I'm buying a brand new set I typically don't get Lee anymore, but honestly there's nothing wrong with Lee dies. I'd certainly never go out and REPLACE them with anything else unless there was something wrong with them.

As stated, even with the carbide dies you'll have to lube bottleneck cases, so you're not going to save any steps. I say keep rocking your Lee dies.

Heck my 8mm Mauser dies are a set of ANCIENT Herters dies but they still work fine and until they bite the dust I ain't replacing them :).
 
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