Dillon carbide .223 dies vs. RCBS small base

[Rob5r]

Dimensionally, how do Dillon dies "measure up" to other brand small base dies?

[ar15robert]

I had a rcbs small base die when i got into reloading years ago.I got it as they were recomended for semi autos but eventually tried a standard .223 die and had no issues with my rifles.One is a 5.56 chamber and my mini 14 is a .223 chamber.

As for comparsion to dillion dies i cant answer that never used them but i would only use the small base dies if they are really needed you get longer brass life out of standard dies.

[desertjosh]

Damn it, rcbs told me to go with their small base dies for my ars..

[GILMORE619]

The Dillion carbide rifle dies are meant to be used commercially if your sizing thousands of cases a day.

Small base dies are handy if you bought some once fired machine gun brass or if your Ar is having trouble chambering you reloads
I have both and find the standard works fine.

[M1NM]

RCBS told you to buy small base dies as insurance for them. They knew you'd never have problems with chambering using them. I've got regular RCBS dies and have never had a problem with my ARs or mini 14. The advantage to the Dillon dies is being carbide they will require little or no lube.

[OpenSightsOnly]

Dimensionally, how do Dillon dies "measure up" to other brand small base dies?

Reloading dies are SAAMI spec regardless of brand should the dies be full length or small base.

Just because Dillon is made of carbide you still need to use lube for the resizing process. If you get a stuck case, not a problem.

The Dillon expander ball is located higher up on the decapping rod/spindle, and that gives the reloader an additional mechanical advantage which makes brass sizing easier. Check out Forsters reloading dies, the expander ball is high up on that spindle.

If you plan to go for a progressive as opposed to single stage, stick with the Dillion carbide die set.

If you plan to go for a single stage, go for RCBS just because the customer service is very good. Use Redding's Imperial Sizing Wax and you aint gonna worry about a stuck case ever.

I started with an RCBS small base die because that's what I was told to use for brass that will be used for a semi. Now, I use full length die. For me it aint gonna matter since the chamber for a semi (Wylde or NATO) are generous. Wylde is pretty loose on the base and shoulder diameter.

[baih777]

I bought a 5 gallon bucket of 556 brass. Tried a regular F/L sizing die. Could not get the brass to size small enough to fit the case gauge. I got a small base die and all sized OK. After shooting it once I can use a regular F/L sizing die. Military and police brass may need the small base die the first time only.
Same goes for 308. If its your brass shot out of your gun, you will only need the regular die. If you are going to buy brass off the internet, you may want to get a small base die.

Just get the rcbs

[milotrain]

Ok, to actually answer your question:

1. Dillon carbide dies do not size as aggressively as the RCBS small base.
2. If you have brass fired from your rifle you won't have a problem with the Dillon die. I've used it to size brass for a tight .223 match chamber.
3. However, if you have unknown brass (SAW brass especially) the Dillon die will not be able to size the brass aggressively enough for many .223 chambers. In that case I use a Dillon die followed by an RCBS die.

Also note that the Dillon die "expects" you to be on a 550 which has a thin plate, some shell holders in a single stage press will need to be ground down to let the Dillon die work correctly.

[popeye4]

RCBS told you to buy small base dies as insurance for them. They knew you'd never have problems with chambering using them. I've got regular RCBS dies and have never had a problem with my ARs or mini 14. The advantage to the Dillon dies is being carbide they will require little or no lube.

Bottleneck case dies need lube whether carbide or not. The carbide just makes them last forever under heavy use.