Questions about the RCBS dies

[smokingloon]

I am looking at getting a set of dies to reload .223 in a semi auto.

The RCBS x-dies states that it "eliminates the need for repeated trimming after an initial case trim of .020" off the maximum case length".

Are the x-dies worth it or should I simply get the regular dies?

Also, RCBS says that I should get the "small base" dies if I shoot it out of a semi auto.

Does it really matter or should I get the small base dies?

[westcoastr]

x-dies have a love/hate rep. i know very few who use them. since you have to trim the first time, you are not going to save on a trimmer. you are not going to save much time by not trimming since many cases only need to be trimmed once or twice. they are very prone to bulging cases and really screwing up your brass if you aren't careful.


only buy small base dies if you really need them to get the loads to chamber, very rifles will need these

[Blacktail 8541]

I have not used the X dies and I live where they are made, I've spent considerable time with the techs who designed them and while they say they do work as designed, I would not use them for precision ammo. I would use them to save a little work in my blasting ammo.

As far as small base dies are concerned. I use a small base die for the first sizeing of military brass and then on future sizeings I use a standard sizeing die. The reason is, you do not definatley know what type of weapon that the cartridge was originally fired in and the state of the chamber. Well worn ect.

As military brass has to be decapped and swagged in in seperate steps before loading unless you have a dillon 1050, I prefer to avoid potential problems.