Which dies for 223?

[RNE228]

Any recommendations for dies for 223? Will be loading for AR and Mini-14. Brand and style? RCBS, Hornaday, or? FL, small base?

Years ago, I loaded some nice 223 rounds for an old Mini-14 on a friends setup(before I bought my own). I do not recall the dies set though(they were RCBS, but I do not remember the type).

All my gear is RCBS so far. Reloaded for 30 years, but mostly pistol for a long time.

[bohoki]

i use the lee rgb dies and so far so good feeds in my mini 14 and other guns of that caliber

[thmpr]

Dillon is my choice.

[XVIga_Rob]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Reloading/Presses-Dies|/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104516280/RCBSreg-AR-Series-Small-Base-Two-Die-Rifle-Set/1170689.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fpresses-dies%2Frcbs%2F_%2FN-1100195%2B1000004440%2FNe-1000004440%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104516280%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104792580%253Bcat104761080%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104792580%3Bcat104761080%3Bcat104516280

[ocabj]

I use:

An RCBS full length small base resizing die for any brass that wasn't fired out of my guns.

A Redding full length resizing die (from a two-die set) for my mag length ammo.

A Redding full length S-Type (bushing) resizing die for my non-magazine length (e.g. 600 yard) ammo.

A Redding standard seater (from a two-die set) for run of the mill FMJ (e.g. 55gr and 62gr 'military' style bullets).

A Redding competition micrometer seater for my BTHP ammo.

A Forster competition micrometer seater for my VLD style ammo.

[koehn,jim]

Rcbs small base x-dies

[milotrain]

I used Dillon for a long time. Still like the sizing die a lot.
Redding competition micrometer seater.

I have heard great things about Hornady's new dies. In fact their seating die looks to have all the features of the Redding/RCBS/Forster competition dies just without the micrometer. I honestly don't love the micrometer, on a 550 it's just not repeatable, and the screw torque is strong enough that I can't dial it down to a dummy case without pushing in the bullet. I'd certainly try one if I was looking for a new seating die.

[Enfield47]

I use the Lee dies for .223 and have had good experiences with them. I load for two ARs and a Mini 14. That said, I just had a great experience with RCBS and would highly recommend them. I broke a decapping pin on a 30-06 Berdan case and they shipped me a set of replacement pins free of charge even though it was my fault. Great, fast customer service!

[stilly]

I just got my RCBS FL X-Die set in from Midway.

They were on sale for $33.00

All I needed though was the sizer, but by itself it was $39.00 (wtf?)

Yeah so anyways...

[damndave]

I use these with god results. As long as it has a seating micrometer.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/799076/forster-ultra-2-die-set-223-remington

[at_liberty]

I am on a Redding tear, so all my .223 dies are Redding. I haven't used them and don't plan to actually, since reloading capability for this gun is just in case, the same reason I bought the gun.

[stevec223]

For my mini and ar loads i use a rcbs sb die and a lee taper crimp die... Much easier for me to crimp at a second die,,, not my seating die... And yes,, i always crimp my semi-auto loads---- from just a kiss to medium crimp depending on what bullet used..... Lots of action goin on and i dont want any bullet movement... My .02.... Cheers...

[RNE228]

Thanks for the replies. I am looking at plinking/target ammo, although I would like to try the steel range at Sac Valley(no FMJ). Will be loading on my trusty 30 year old Rock-Chucker.

[koehn,jim]

at liberty you might want to use those dies to make sure they work before you need them. Every maker has been known to have a hiccup now and than.

[glockman19]

I happen to reload with Lee.
If I do increase production ill go Dillon.
I'll never get rid of my lee handloader kits, I have them for every caliber I shoot