AR class die set vs lee red cup die set NOS

[browndude]

Looking at a first timer buy for .223 reloading die set.
I shoot AR .223 Wylde set up, and am curious at the trade offs between this brand new RCBS small base AR class neck sizer die set, and a brand new old stock lee pacesetter 3 die set comes in a red cup case.

[kcstott]

the second set of dies I ever bought were a set of .223 pacesetter. I still have them and still use them. it's been 30 years.

[browndude]

the second set of dies I ever bought were a set of .223 pacesetter. I still have them and still use them. it's been 30 years.

I ask cuz tooling has got to change (improve?) a bit over the decades, and there's alotta choices in just .223. Forget the match dies.

[Rgarbarino]

I use the RCBS small base set and have no issues.

[kcstott]

I ask cuz tooling has got to change (improve?) a bit over the decades, and there's alotta choices in just .223. Forget the match dies.

Outside of match dies. No not really. Match dies have improved dramatically over the years. But your everyday RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Lyman and Lee. No not much has changed for their non specialty dies.
I have dies made by
Lee
RCBS
Lyman
Hornady
Dillon
Redding
Pacific
David Tubb
David Viers (Viersco black diamond)

Quality and fit and finish goes to Redding, Viersco & David Tubb,
Price goes to Lee. Lee have never claimed to be top tier in quality but they make damn good stuff for dirt cheep that will make good ammo.

[browndude]

Now specific to the AR class neck sizer 2 piece kit, am I buying this Togo easy on my spray and pray prepper range brass? Or does this die set still offer a quality round that's spot at 100yds?

[kcstott]

Now specific to the AR class neck sizer 2 piece kit, am I buying this Togo easy on my spray and pray prepper range brass? Or does this die set still offer a quality round that's spot at 100yds?

All you are going to do is make a bunch of ammo that won't work after a few reloadings. Speaking from experience. If you are going to neck size you had better full length size as well and even better small base. do not just neck size and think you're good. Especially for SHTF ammo. I can't find a listing for the RCBS dies set you mention

That said my Lee dies have made sub moa ammo for three decades. and this is out of five different rifles

[baih777]

Now specific to the AR class neck sizer 2 piece kit, am I buying this Togo easy on my spray and pray prepper range brass? Or does this die set still offer a quality round that's spot at 100yds?

Not sure which RCBS AR die set your looking at. The small base die i see on their website has a FL die.
Either die set will produce rounds that will shoot 1 MOA. its your reloading technique on how you develop a.round thats the difference.

If your reloading your own brass. You dont need a small base die.
If you buy police or military brass. You will need a small base die just the first time to get the brass sized.back to specs.

[browndude]

Saw a promo video fir this 2 die set. From rcbs website
Part 11107
SMALL BASE TAPER CRIMP DIE SET - AR SERIES
RCBS AR Series Die Sets feature a Small Base Sizer Die designed for semi-automatic firearms. The Small Base Sizer guarantees the cartridge will rechamber in AR-platform firearms. The AR Series Die Set also feature a rifle Taper Crimp Seat Die.

Features a Small Base Size Die to insure feeding in semi-automatic firearms
Taper Crimp Seat Die crimps bullets so they will not move during recoil
Unique 7-degree crimp angle designed for taper crimps in autoloading rifles
Comes in a Black Die Box
All RCBS dies are machined to exacting tolerances, hardened and finished to the highest standards in the industry

[browndude]

All you are going to do is make a bunch of ammo that won't work after a few reloadings. Speaking from experience. If you are going to neck size you had better full length size as well and even better small base. do not just neck size and think you're good. Especially for SHTF ammo. I can't find a listing for the RCBS dies set you mention

That said my Lee dies have made sub moa ammo for three decades. and this is out of five different rifles

Appreciate the infos, since I haven't dropped the cash down on a dies set there's still time to collect wisdom and experience.

[stand125]

I have both Lee and RCBS 223 full length die sets and see no difference in the quality of ammo they produce. I use the RCBS for my bolt gun loading on my rock chucker. I use the LEE set for my Semi Autos on my Classic Turret. The seating die is much easier to adjust on The Lee die set. I would buy the LEE pace setter die set and use the money you save on other stuff. I have never needed a small base die set for any 223 semi auto.

[kcstott]

Saw a promo video fir this 2 die set. From rcbs website
Part 11107
SMALL BASE TAPER CRIMP DIE SET - AR SERIES
RCBS AR Series Die Sets feature a Small Base Sizer Die designed for semi-automatic firearms. The Small Base Sizer guarantees the cartridge will rechamber in AR-platform firearms. The AR Series Die Set also feature a rifle Taper Crimp Seat Die.

Features a Small Base Size Die to insure feeding in semi-automatic firearms
Taper Crimp Seat Die crimps bullets so they will not move during recoil
Unique 7-degree crimp angle designed for taper crimps in autoloading rifles
Comes in a Black Die Box
All RCBS dies are machined to exacting tolerances, hardened and finished to the highest standards in the industry

The die set listed is not a neck sizer only die. It's a standard small base die which I recommend in any precision or autoloading rifle. Yes we've gotten away with standard full length sizers for decades but small base sizing makes more reliable ammo.

That said the lee set comes with a factory crimp die too. The problem with taper crimps that seat and crimp is the brass needs to be trimmed to the same length to get a uniform crimp. The Lee is far more forgiving but your brass needs to be close to the same length.
I've never seen the need to crimp anything but my 30-30 & my Dangerous game ammo.

[browndude]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011284542

The ken Sakamoto video got me thinking about these dies

[Itsrockysmodernlife]

They all work, I prefer hornady.

[Divernhunter]

not a fan of lee especially the so called lock rings that do not lock. I also have never had them cover a warranty issue ---even on lifetime warranty items.
Never had a problem with RCBS, Hornady or Dillon.