RCBS X-Sizer Die

[tkcomer]

I just got this RCBS X-Sizer die in for 223. I'm getting kinda confused on which direction to go. Do you full length resize with the standard die and then trim? Load and shoot, then set up the brass in the X-die? Or do you full length resize, trim and then set that brass up in the X-die before you load and shoot it? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I don`t own a X-die, so this is just a guess as to how I`d do it. I`d trim without sizeing my brass to get them all the proper lenght, then size from then on with the x-die.
Edited to add.........do size after trimming and before reloading your cases, unless your are useing new brass.

 

[tkcomer]

The instructions say to full length size and then trim. It then goes into explaining how to set the X-die up. I'm not sure if I should set it up with the trimmed and sized brass or fire it, and then set the X-die up.

 

[spencerhut]

The first time use use the X-Die on a batch of brass:
Lube
Size in x-die with the mandrel backed off 1-2 turns
Remove lube
Trim to .020 under MAX case length

Cases are now ready to start loading.

From now on this batch of brass can be treated like any other brass for loading, just no trimming required.

Tumble
Setup the X-Die Per the instructions
Lube
Size
Depending on lube used and preference you may want to remove the lube here. Yeah, it's a PITA.
Charge, Seat Bullet, Crimp(if you do that)
Tumble here if you did not already remove the lube or just wipe them one by one.

 

[tkcomer]

That's what I need to know. Size, trim, load and fire, THEN set the X-die up. Got 100 rounds in the tumbler right now. I have the RCBS small base sizer die for my AR. I'll just use it to get those 100 started. Thanks.

 

[Steve in PA]

The directions say to resize in a standard die.

Trim the brass to 0.20 under the max.

Run the trimmed brass through the X-die, then reload normally.

Next time you go to reload the brass, just run it through the X-die.

 

[tkcomer]

That's what I'm doing now. Sized and in the tumbler to get the lube off. Then trim, load, shoot and set up the X-die. I bought a lee turret press. Gonna try and see if I can stick a tumbled brass casing in it and kick out a loaded round to speed up the process. Right now I tumble, size, tumble again to get the lube off, pick the media out of the flash hole, measure case length and then load. If this die can do the job, I should be able to skip one step. Tumble the lube off after the shell is loaded.

 

[66gt350]

I set up my X-die right after resizing and trimming down to 0.020 under max...then load and shoot.

 

[Adventurer_96]

The directions say to resize in a standard die.

Trim the brass to 0.20 under the max.

Run the trimmed brass through the X-die, then reload normally.

Next time you go to reload the brass, just run it through the X-die.

Good thing I have an extra set of .223 dies, then - for the first trim, then X-dies from now on for that batch of brass.

Are any of you guys using the small-base X-dies, or just the regular .223 X-dies?

 

[spencerhut]

You can turn off the x-die "feature" by backing off the mandrel a couple of turns. You do not need an extra set of dies. But if you had a spare set, fine, you could do the initial sizing in the standard dies, trim .020 under max and then use the properly setup x-die. You do NOT fire the case until it's been sized, trimed .020 under and then run through the x-die and loaded.

 

[Khornet]

Note

what Steve in PA said:

Instructions say resize, trim to .020 below max, RUN THROUGH X-DIE AGAIN, then load and fire. Then use the X-die thereafter.

Not saying the other way won't work, just that the instructions say to do it as above, so I did. Works fine for my .223 AR and my M1.

 

[Adventurer_96]

spencerhut, OK, that makes sense as I think back to the instructions. I'm a fan of setting dies & leaving them be, so the step where you back off the mandrel will be filled by my extra set of dies. I used the Hornady dies for the first time last night, not bad but I'm not looking forward to double-sizing those cases. I guess it's better than trimming in the long run.

btw, not to hijack, but I laughed when I read your sig line. I found one, and did - I bought a 1911 on my second date with her. Can you believe it?