223 Neck Sizing Die

603Country · February 6, 2012, 09:49 PM

I'm going to buy a neck sizing die for my 223, and I could use some advice on which one to get. People have said on this forum that the Lee collet dies are excellent and relatively cheap. Is that a better choice than the more expensive versions just because it's less money for the same quality of performance? Somebody educate me. Thanks.

4runnerman · February 6, 2012, 09:53 PM

I just got the Redding version a few days ago.I have only loaded 10 rounds at the moment to test. Have not got a chance to shoot them yet to see the difference in accuracy.( if there is any at all). All my other Dies are Lee and i could not be happier. They are very good,low cost dies.

Tim R · February 6, 2012, 10:04 PM

I use a Horaday bushing die. I believe Redding has one too. The nice part of the bushing die is you can adjust neck tension and how much the neck grips the bullet by a simple bushing change. A chart is supplied with the instructions and how to figure out what bushing to get.

jepp2 · February 6, 2012, 10:05 PM

The Lee die will produce sized brass with less neck runout than any other neck sizing die. And it is the easiest to use since no lube is required. It does take a bit of learning to use it properly. Reading the directions and following them is a good start.

625cnd · February 6, 2012, 10:09 PM

Neck Sizing is only for bolt action guns. Neck sizing can be done with a FL sizer die, just back off the die about the width of a nickel. This will just size the neck and not bump the shoulder. Just a thought

I would suggest that consider a Forster Neck Die. As their expander ball is mounted higher then other brands. But, a Redding neck die with a carbide expander ball added would lessen the work hardening of the brass.

The use of a Type S Redding die requires a bushing, and the you have a reading of your brass of choice neck wall thickness. Then one would just want to use the bushing to control your neck tension,

Eventually you wiill need to bump the shoulder....usually after 5 or so firings.
A Redding Body die will leave the neck alone, but bump the shouler back to allow for reliable chambering of your brass.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 6, 2012, 10:11 PM

I use the Lee collet die, and the dead length seating die for .223 Rem. Shooting my reloads out of a Savage Model 12 with heavy target barrell will give me half MOA on a crappy day.

February 6, 2012, 09:49 PM	#1
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	223 Neck Sizing Die I'm going to buy a neck sizing die for my 223, and I could use some advice on which one to get. People have said on this forum that the Lee collet dies are excellent and relatively cheap. Is that a better choice than the more expensive versions just because it's less money for the same quality of performance? Somebody educate me. Thanks.

February 6, 2012, 09:53 PM	#2
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	I just got the Redding version a few days ago.I have only loaded 10 rounds at the moment to test. Have not got a chance to shoot them yet to see the difference in accuracy.( if there is any at all). All my other Dies are Lee and i could not be happier. They are very good,low cost dies. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 6, 2012, 10:04 PM	#3
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	I use a Horaday bushing die. I believe Redding has one too. The nice part of the bushing die is you can adjust neck tension and how much the neck grips the bullet by a simple bushing change. A chart is supplied with the instructions and how to figure out what bushing to get. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

February 6, 2012, 10:11 PM	#6
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I use the Lee collet die, and the dead length seating die for .223 Rem. Shooting my reloads out of a Savage Model 12 with heavy target barrell will give me half MOA on a crappy day. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 6, 2012, 10:05 PM	#4
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	The Lee die will produce sized brass with less neck runout than any other neck sizing die. And it is the easiest to use since no lube is required. It does take a bit of learning to use it properly. Reading the directions and following them is a good start.

February 6, 2012, 10:09 PM	#5
625cnd Member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Posts: 33	Neck Sizing is only for bolt action guns. Neck sizing can be done with a FL sizer die, just back off the die about the width of a nickel. This will just size the neck and not bump the shoulder. Just a thought I would suggest that consider a Forster Neck Die. As their expander ball is mounted higher then other brands. But, a Redding neck die with a carbide expander ball added would lessen the work hardening of the brass. The use of a Type S Redding die requires a bushing, and the you have a reading of your brass of choice neck wall thickness. Then one would just want to use the bushing to control your neck tension, Eventually you wiill need to bump the shoulder....usually after 5 or so firings. A Redding Body die will leave the neck alone, but bump the shouler back to allow for reliable chambering of your brass.