Rcbs x die vs Hornady

[Nipty]

I was wondering if anyone has used any of the rcbs x dies. 223/556 for my AR's to be specific. Since I would like to get a set for the task of reloading. If they work well , probably get a .308 set at some point. I was wondering if they are good to go. I do like the one Hornady set I ha e for .380 with the alignment, drop stem, that moves. However I am concerned with small base etc, for the semi rifle. Any information, input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have the RCBS X die in 308W. You have to trim the brass 0.020" short for start. I never did shoot enough to know if it actually worked. I was at 4 cycles when I traded the gun off, and I never replaced it.

I've never needed a SB die for any gun I've loaded for in 40+ yrs. I've loaded for a lot of guns know to have tight chambers. Most of my Rifle dies are RCBS, with some Redding, and Hornady.

 

[AJC1]

I was wondering if anyone has used any of the rcbs x dies. 223/556 for my AR's to be specific. Since I would like to get a set for the task of reloading. If they work well , probably get a .308 set at some point. I was wondering if they are good to go. I do like the one Hornady set I ha e for .380 with the alignment, drop stem, that moves. However I am concerned with small base etc, for the semi rifle. Any information, input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

Do you shoot the same brass enough that trimming is a big deal. In 308 I size with a forester die and have only trimmed a few cases due to length after 5 or so firings. Once fired Norma brass isn't even 2" after firing. It has not been my experience to do a lot of trimming in 308. 223 range brass is all over the place and I end up trimming it a lot. If you run a gas gun trying an x die might be helpful, but I've never had the need in a bolt.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I load .223 for both my mini 14 and bolt action. With RCBS dies. They have been good to me and my rifles.

 

[BBarn]

The chief advantage of the X-Die is less frequent need for trimming. I use an X-Die for 22 Hornet and trimming is virtually unneeded. However, the X-Die is not a small base die.

 

[Laphroaig]

I've been using them since they first came out, in .223 and 30-06. The primer pockets get loose in my .223 rounds after about 8 reloads. I've never had to trim any in that period. I think I may have rarely trimmed some X-Die 30-06's in the past, but would have to check my notes to be sure.

Depending on the circumstance, I sometimes load those same cartridges on regular full-length dies and do trim those when necessary. Both dies size equally well IMO.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use an X-Die for 22 Hornet and trimming is virtually unneeded.

That sounds like a good idea. I’ll have give an X-die a try with my 22 Hornet.

 

[Nipty]

I seen a set today online, small base x die. Being it will be 2 different AR's. I use a rcbs regular die fort
308 bolt action. However if the ar 10 ever happens.. having a semi 30.06 I just hate to get dies n have trouble loading, feeding, extracting , so I'll be going ar - small base for 223/556. Just wondering If the x dies are worth the Xtra cash or not. Appreciate it

 

[Nipty]

Seems all my first firings needed trimmed. Have not checked 2nds yet. Well rifle anyway.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I bought a .223 X-die years ago but it just became too much work for me to keep up with what brass was "X-die" brass and what brass wasn't. I quit using it.

 

[BBarn]

I was wrong earlier when I said the X-Die was not a small base die. In some calibers a small base X-Die is available individually or as a set with a seating die.

The procedure for setting up the X-Die is different, and you do need to segregate the brass from any other brass not used in the X-Die. But it does reduce, if not eliminate, the need to trim when used according to the instructions. I've segregated my brass by using brass with a different headstamp with my X-Die.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

Hornady is my pick because of the seating die. It has the floating alignment sleeve. RCBS does not. The sizing dies are sixes

 

[AJC1]

Hornady is my pick because of the seating die. It has the floating alignment sleeve. RCBS does not. The sizing dies are sixes

The swappable seating stems is the biggest advantage to all other companies.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

My 223 brass gets sized with an RCBS SB X-Die and bullets seated with a Hornady seating die. Perfect setup.

 

[MikeInOr]

I was wondering if anyone has used any of the rcbs x dies. 223/556 for my AR's to be specific. Since I would like to get a set for the task of reloading. If they work well , probably get a .308 set at some point. I was wondering if they are good to go. I do like the one Hornady set I ha e for .380 with the alignment, drop stem, that moves. However I am concerned with small base etc, for the semi rifle. Any information, input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

I use the Dillon carbide die sets for .223 and .308. It is the only time that I have had an expensive set of dies make a very noticeable difference over standard dies.

All of the other fancy die sets I have tried have been much more hype than an actual improvement. I have not tried the RCBS x dies but they also hit me as mainly marketing hype. I am sure the RCBS X dies will do their job admirably... like pretty much any other set of dies on the market.

 

[JmacD]

Laugh you may, but my 308 bolt gun (Howa)!won’t chamber the same lad and same brass from RCBS dies. Hornady gives no problems. RCBS did replace the sizing die as it was manufactured incorrectly

 

[IMtheNRA]

I have the X-die in .223 and it works as advertised. I conducted 5 cycle experiments on a batch of single head stamp as well as a batch of mixed range pickup brass. Nothing from those two batches required further trimming. All brass was used in ARs.

 

[MikeInOr]

I have the X-die in .223 and it works as advertised. I conducted 5 cycle experiments on a batch of single head stamp as well as a batch of mixed range pickup brass. Nothing from those two batches required further trimming. All brass was used in ARs.

Did you have a control group in which you didn't use the X-die?

 

[Nipty]

Kinda what I was wondering .. I would think just run them all in it. If it works like it should. I love Hornady seating dies. The floating stem, really seems to help keep it aligned well. I have not real complaints on RCBS as well though. The one is I had, they took care of. The only thing, with the same die set. (Well the new one they sent) seater stem 6.5 C.m. seems to not like the sierra bullets. Idk maybe find another stem.. if they sell them. You guys know the deal. If you have to spend money, it's nice to get some real feedback. Sincerely appreciated. Cost of living is horrible anymore. I always try to spend wisely.. now more than ever.

 

[JFrank]

The swappable seating stems is the biggest advantage to all other companies.

I’m not familiar with the X die nor qualified to critic so I’ll just ask the question ; if the length is restricted during sizing , where the brass flow to ?

 

[AJC1]

I’m not familiar with the X die nor qualified to critic so I’ll just ask the question ; if the length is restricted during sizing , where the brass flow to ?

I don't know. I haven't studied them because I haven't had enough growth in 308 to justify looking for a different solution. I do so much testing in different brands I haven't got more than 4 or 5 loads on any piece. That's remmington that I have that many and most is on its first reload. I have literal piles of 308. If I picked up every piece of Federal I came across I could never load the same piece of brass twice.

 

[IMtheNRA]

Did you have a control group in which you didn't use the X-die?

Yes, all of my other brass, thousands of pieces, gets resized in small base RCBS dies as well as standard Redding dies and is trimmed on the Giraud each time it's resized. About 75% of the brass is long enough to engage the cutting blade after resizing. Fired in the same ARs, same loads.