Dillon 223 carbide sizer die question

[jiujitsubum]

I just purchased the dillon carbide full length sizer die for 223. Do they come from Dillon completely adjusted so all i need to do is screw it into the toolhead? The website recommends adjusting with a case gauge but I am not familiar with how to do that. I have been using a lee full length sizer/decapper die that i never had to adjust so im really not sure how or if i need to adjust the dillon die. Any advice would be helpful. PS Im just reloading 223 for my rock river ar, nothing match.

Thanks

JB

[BSlacker]

Try this, raise the ram/shell plate (you didn't mention what press) to the top and then screw in/down the die until it touches the ram/shell plate, I like to add about 1/8th turn in to take out any slack during resizing. Lock down the lock nut.
The case gauge is used to check the final product after sizing and trimming. You will notice on the ends that there is a small channel. If the case primer end sticks out above the channel then it needs more sizing or the shoulder is not far enough back, if it goes in below the channel bottom then that is too much sizing. It is checking the shoulder position and case size. On the other end, neck, the case might stick out of the channel and thus out of the gauge if the shoulder is correct then the case is too long and needs trimming to length. If the case is short and doesn't reach the bottom of the channel then it is short and you may or may not want to use it. Adjust the die to get the cases to fit the gauge. Just because the case fits in the gauge doesn't mean it will fit the chamber. If your brass is new or once fired from your rifle a normal die will usually work but if the brass was fired from a full auto or another semi auto it may need a "small base" die.

[jiujitsubum]

BSlacker, thanks for the advice. I am using a dillon 650.

[BSlacker]

Be sure your shell plate is not too loose before you start. Crank the die down until it hits the plate and then add about an 1/8th turn down.
Did you see the channel in the gauge ends and understand the case gauge? The case gauge is a very good visual check, no micrometer needed and a great time and trouble saver. Once you know where the case sits in the gauge and then it works well in your AR you can check cases without getting the AR out and jamming a case once in a while.

[popeye4]

And don't forget to lube your cases. Carbide dies for bottleneck rifle cartridges don't relieve you of the lubrication requirement, they will just last forever.