Buy Steel or Carbide dies for 223.

[sirgrumps]

I have been doing research into reloading 223/556, it quite a different process than pistols.
As I understand it, rifle case stretch, a lot.
Add the crimped/swaged primer pocket.

So I am looking at this process to reload 223.
1.) Clean cases,
2.) Lube cases,
3.) Full length resize,
4.) De-crimp and swage primer pocket,
5.) Trim case to length,
6.) deburr and chamfer case mouth,
7.) Clean again to remove lube,
all the rest of the step below, I am used to.
8.) re-prime,
9.) drop powder,
10.) seat bullet,
11.) taper crimp case,
(modified)

I have always purchased carbide dies, when loading for pistols.
No lube required, so it make a lot of sense.
But I have been told, that I have to lube cases even while using carbide dies.

So what advantage is there for carbide rifle dies?
I am not a commercial reloader, but with a progressive press, when I load, a couple thousand at a time would not be unusual, once I dial in the process.

[NoHeavyHitter]

You'll need lube for rifle cases whether or not the dies are carbide. So steel dies are just fine unless you plan on commercial production levels.

[Cowboy T]

I've never used carbide rifle dies, though all my straightwalled handgun dies are carbide. So, this is an informational question. Why does one need to use case lube with *any* carbide die, be it rifle or handgun?

[Calif Hunter]

Some people and source say to use lube even for straight-walled handgun cases in carbide dies. I have never done so in 50 years of reloading. I always lube tapered and rifle cases, but thus see no sense in carbide rifle dies.

[slamfire1]

I've never used carbide rifle dies, though all my straightwalled handgun dies are carbide. So, this is an informational question. Why does one need to use case lube with *any* carbide die, be it rifle or handgun?

Because bottle neck rifle cases are bottle necked. And they will stick to the die unless you lube them.

[tabascoz28]

Maybe you can use less lube but it is possible to get a case stuck in a carbide die too. The rim of some of the cartridges are sometimes weak.

[divingin]

I've never used carbide rifle dies, though all my straightwalled handgun dies are carbide. So, this is an informational question. Why does one need to use case lube with *any* carbide die, be it rifle or handgun?

You don't. But you'll stick a lot of rifle dies without lube.

The amount of force that gets imparted through sizing between the brass and the die is what's causing friction. Friction causes the sticking.

With a straight wall case (pistol, for the most part) the sizing occurs just at the entry point into the die (the carbide ring is pretty short.) This limits the amount of friction generated, as does the use of hard surface like carbide at the point of sizing.

With a tapered cartridge, the sizing occurs along largely the entire length of the case once the case is inserted far enough in. That means a lot of friction over a large surface area. Enough so that the amount of friction required to pull the case free exceeds the strength of the rim.

AFAIK, carbide rifle dies (for bottleneck cases) are designed to resist wear more than a regular steel die. In that case the carbide is there for toughness, rather than friction reduction.

[smoothy8500]

....designed to resist wear more than a regular steel die. In that case the carbide is there for toughness, rather than friction reduction.

This.

[baih777]

On rifle cases. Make sure you lube the inside of the neck also. Or the expander ball will get stuck.

[baranski]

Don't forget to de-burr and chamfer

[bruce381]

carbide will not work for a tapered rifle case. the carbide ring at the die mouth will try to size the case as a straight wall not good.

The steel die is made to the taper and the full sizing occurs when the case is most all the way in with the taper preserved.

Yes they need lube BUT is the correct way to get closest to a factory round.

If they do make a tapered die for rifle it would cost a ton.

Go with steel.

[anyracoon]

Have and use both types of dies for 223
I do lube for both. The carbide dies require less muscle pull than the regular steel dies.
When I'm loading pistol brass with carbide dies, I always toss them in a ZipLock bag and give them a couple of shots of Hornady "One shot", shake the bag and dump them in the case feeder and pull the handle.

[dmy]

With the costs of primers, powder, and projectiles being what they are, the difference in cost between carbide and steel is miniscule, especially when divided over thousands of rounds. Irrespective, you need to lube the outside and neck of the brass before resizing.

[the86d]

On rifle cases. Make sure you lube the inside of the neck also. Or the expander ball will get stuck.

I have gotten only one .223/5.56 "STUCK" in 2020 (using the dies it since Jan 2012), and I chowdered the resizing die getting it out, but not sure if it still works, as I already bought a new Dillon resizing die at panic prices, before I was able to free it. Panic Prices are about double for the set, during said panic. It is never a bad idea to have backups... I didn't realize the Dillon Sizing Die has a built in stuck case remover until after, but hindsight is 20/20, post-chowder...

Dillon came though as I bought at the beginning of the panic, with a carbide die just after the used set arrived. Wouldn't sell either resizing die, as I was actually w/out one for a few weeks during the beginning of all this

I will always have a backup from here on out... not even for triple would I sell a spare now that I know how long it can take to get a replacement...

FYI Carbide .223, such as Dillon sets right now are upwards of $399 +TX +shipping for the set, and only the sizing die is carbide-ringed, and maybe the button.
There is a pandemic going on right now, panic is wild, and only one Dillon .223 Carbide set on eBay right now... for about the price I mentioned.unless you can pre-order from Dillon for $189 for the set+tax +shipping, but
per Dillon's site: "Delivery of backordered items may take 8-12 weeks,some more."

[sirgrumps]

FYI Carbide .223, such as Dillon sets right now are upwards of $399 +TX +shipping for the set, and only the sizing die is carbide-ringed, and maybe the button.
There is a pandemic going on right now, panic is wild, and only one Dillon .223 Carbide set on eBay right now... for about the price I mentioned.unless you can pre-order from Dillon for $189 for the set+tax +shipping, but
per Dillon's site: "Delivery of backordered items may take 8-12 weeks, some more."

Actually, right now, both steel and carbide dies are at 28 weeks. Since the wait time is the same, I was trying to decide which one to get