RCBS X dies...worth it?

[Ks5shooter]

Shooting lots of 223 reloads.Was considering RCBS X dies to to keep my trimming to a minimum.Do they work as advertised?Experiences...opinions? Worth the money?

 

[cfullgraf]

I am skeptical but will admit I do not have actual experience.

Some folks do swear by them but I think you have to make sure you read the instructions and do the first trim properly.

 

[arizona98tj]

I have one sitting on the shelf but haven't used it yet (got multiple ammo cans full of .223). When I was researching it prior to buying one, I checked around on several of the reloading sub-forums. While not a lot of folks use them, I do not recall any negative feedback from the folks that use them.

 

[roc1]

Yes they work bought one after cousin showed me they work. It saves time on trimming keeping brass from getting to long. You have to trim brass . 020 shorter first time you use them. I got a small base RCBS full length sizing die also to make sure all rounds function in all rifles.
Is that better or what
Roc1

 

[Scimmia]

Yes they work bought one after cousin showed me they work. It saves time on trimming keeping brass from getting to long. You have to trim brass .20 shorter first time I got small base for use in different ar rifles. I full length sized first went to RCBS sml base die for that as well Lee kept screwing up it had been here for years . I think it is way to go if you shoot ar my bolt Remington gun neck size is perfect bump shoulder back once in awhile good to go. Ar are picky though especially if you shoot same ammonia multiple guns
Roc1

Wow, can anyone actually read that?

Anyway, I've always wondered where the extra brass from the stretched case goes with an X die, and nobody has provided an answer. I'm skeptical until someone can explain how they work.

 

[stubbicatt]

Anyway, I've always wondered where the extra brass from the stretched case goes with an X die, and nobody has provided an answer. I'm skeptical until someone can explain how they work.

I gave away my X die. I found that it created a donut at the neck/shoulder junction of my cases. In some instances it collapsed the neck into the shoulder just a bit, but I could see it.

Your experience may differ of course.

I do not like trimming, but there are many power trimmers available which will reduce this chore to a managable inconvenience.

 

[Blue68f100]

The only time I've seen it collapse/buckle the shoulder is when you run brass through that has not been trimmed to spec and/or change a setting. These dies ones you set them do not change a thing. So you need to make sure any new range brass is sorted out and trimmed before using the X-die. That extra length will bite you every time.

I have this die for my 308.

 

[Steve in PA]

I have two; .223 and .30/06. They work as advertised and the only time there is a problem is when you don't prep your brass like the instructions tell you to do.

 

[grubbylabs]

I have not had any issues with mine. I am looking forward to getting one for my 308.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I have had a power trimmer for many years,but the task is still a drag when doing a thousand at a time.I burn out and then quit for the day and then go back to the grind. Thanks for the info.

 

[popper]

donut at the neck/shoulder junction of my cases I just use the small base die, my brass doesn't grow. I use an M expander & universal decapper. I did get the Lyman trimmer for converting BO brass. I'm shooting 165 gr. cast @ 2500 from my LR-308 AR, not a pliinker load. 1 1/2 MOA @ 100 easy.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Popper, I'm not following you. What's BO brass?

 

[Joe's]

Possibly Black Out?

Joe's