Redding or Dillon dies for .223 in a 550B?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Citadel99

Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
935
Location
Texas
I've got a NIB set of Redding deluxe dies as well as a slightly used set of Dillon dies for .223. Any thoughts as to which I should use. I'll be reloading this caliber in a 550. I'll probably hang on to both at least for awhile but want to see which ones yall would recommend.

Mark
 
Dillon CARBIDE dies!

Not that you won't want to give the cases a shot of lube anyway, but I bought the Dillon carbide die. EXPEN$IVE, but worth it, given how much easier it is to resize the cases compared to my standard die. ;)
 
Do you want precision of blasting ammo?

Blasting = Dillon
Precision = Redding competition die set - but then you may as well get a single stage. Too much play in the Dillon toolhead and shellplate for me, but I'm picky.
 
Well, I'm definitely not picking up another set of dies. I've got the standard Dillon and the Redding deluxe on hand...

Mark
 
What are you shooting the .223 in? You could sell both sets, add a bit of cash and get the competition dies.
 
It'll be shot from a Bushmaster carbine. I'm debating trading in the upper on a varminter barrel, though. Not sure if that'll happen, just something that's popped in my head lately.

Mark
 
Just a heads up in loading on the 550. I would late out some ideas about loading rifle rounds on a 550.

First off, I would process the brass in batches. Meaning I would set up the FL sizer die and size all the brass. Here is where a carbide expander ball on the Redding FL sizer comes into play, and help you out. I then would make sure it did not need trimming and then trim as needed. Usually once fired mil spec brass is rather on the long side. I would then clean up the case mouth. Then deal with primer pocket if it needs swaging or reaming! Then I would clean the brass up!

Then in station #1 I would put a universal decapper to punch out any tumbling media. And, load as you want. I would stick to powders that have a good rep in the Dillon measure. TAC comes to mind. VV 140 works too! RL 15, another good choice. Remember that it is best to seat in one station and crimp if you must in another station!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top