.223 die set

MDS · January 31, 2009, 11:35 AM

If I start loading .223 for an AR, Do I need neck sizing die? Is the RCBS 2 die set enough?

mkl · January 31, 2009, 11:52 AM

For an AR, the two die set is fine.

Full length resizing every time is recommended for the AR in virtually all instances.

MDS · January 31, 2009, 11:54 AM

What about crimp?

mkl · January 31, 2009, 12:33 PM

Your 2-die set will come with a crimp shoulder on the seating die.

Suggest that if you are going to crimp, you seat and crimp in two separate steps to begin with. Getting the die set to do both at the same time takes some experience.

You will find the crimp versus no crimp opinions on here are split about 50/50.

Personally, for rifle cartridges, I crimp only if I find bullet movement in the magazine as a result of recoil. I've not had that problem with my AR's, so I don't crimp those.

My 45-70 is another story, and I do crimp those huge fellows.

Go Kiwi · January 31, 2009, 04:23 PM

Another argument for crimping came from my HK which would occasionally catch a projectile while loading and push it right back into the case

Crimping with a Lee FCD solved this issue (and using vmax projs) I dont know if this is an issue with AR's?

Anyway - do take a look at some specific info for loading for your AR http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.htm and read up about slam fires etc, there is plenty of helpful stuff out there.

amamnn · January 31, 2009, 04:37 PM

Unless you have a problem similar to the one described above, the neck tension created by a standard FL sizing die should keep your bullets in place. Still, some folks only like to load cannelured bullets using a medium to heavy crimp for general purpose use. I don't know any match shooters here that use cannelured bullets and/or a crimp.

Here's another source of good info for loading rounds for use in service rifles and clones.

http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...sgunreload.cfm

MDS · January 31, 2009, 04:54 PM

Good info. Thanks everyone

scsov509 · January 31, 2009, 05:10 PM

FWIW, RCBS small base dies are pretty snazzy for the AR so that you don't have to repeatedly trim. Definitely worth a few extra dollars if you're looking to feed your AR for higher volume loading.

totalloser · February 1, 2009, 01:29 PM

I'd personally lean heavily away from the SB version of the Xdie. Those things love to stick cases as it is. I didn't like mine much. You still REALLY should check each one to make sure an untrimmed piece doesn't sneak by leaving the length too long.

My reloading books recommend a crimp for all semiauto rifles. The crimp in the seating die is somewhat finicky about trim length, so I use the Lee FCD, and am very happy with it. I experienced a tightening of groups by about 1/2" using the FCD, but this doesn't seem to be the case for everyone.

It is possible to neck size only with the full length dies (like in the 2 die set) by backing them out, but this is sort of a bad idea for a semi as the fire formed brass may have trouble feeding.

January 31, 2009, 11:35 AM	#1
MDS Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 492	.223 die set If I start loading .223 for an AR, Do I need neck sizing die? Is the RCBS 2 die set enough?

January 31, 2009, 04:37 PM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Unless you have a problem similar to the one described above, the neck tension created by a standard FL sizing die should keep your bullets in place. Still, some folks only like to load cannelured bullets using a medium to heavy crimp for general purpose use. I don't know any match shooters here that use cannelured bullets and/or a crimp. Here's another source of good info for loading rounds for use in service rifles and clones. http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...sgunreload.cfm __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 1, 2009, 01:29 PM	#9
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	I'd personally lean heavily away from the SB version of the Xdie. Those things love to stick cases as it is. I didn't like mine much. You still REALLY should check each one to make sure an untrimmed piece doesn't sneak by leaving the length too long. My reloading books recommend a crimp for all semiauto rifles. The crimp in the seating die is somewhat finicky about trim length, so I use the Lee FCD, and am very happy with it. I experienced a tightening of groups by about 1/2" using the FCD, but this doesn't seem to be the case for everyone. It is possible to neck size only with the full length dies (like in the 2 die set) by backing them out, but this is sort of a bad idea for a semi as the fire formed brass may have trouble feeding. __________________ You only truly believe in freedom if you believe in the freedom of those you disagree.

January 31, 2009, 11:52 AM	#2
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	For an AR, the two die set is fine. Full length resizing every time is recommended for the AR in virtually all instances.

January 31, 2009, 11:54 AM	#3
MDS Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 492	What about crimp?

January 31, 2009, 12:33 PM	#4
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	Your 2-die set will come with a crimp shoulder on the seating die. Suggest that if you are going to crimp, you seat and crimp in two separate steps to begin with. Getting the die set to do both at the same time takes some experience. You will find the crimp versus no crimp opinions on here are split about 50/50. Personally, for rifle cartridges, I crimp only if I find bullet movement in the magazine as a result of recoil. I've not had that problem with my AR's, so I don't crimp those. My 45-70 is another story, and I do crimp those huge fellows.

January 31, 2009, 04:23 PM	#5
Go Kiwi Member Join Date: October 11, 2007 Posts: 40	Another argument for crimping came from my HK which would occasionally catch a projectile while loading and push it right back into the case Crimping with a Lee FCD solved this issue (and using vmax projs) I dont know if this is an issue with AR's? Anyway - do take a look at some specific info for loading for your AR http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.htm and read up about slam fires etc, there is plenty of helpful stuff out there.

January 31, 2009, 04:54 PM	#7
MDS Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 492	Good info. Thanks everyone

January 31, 2009, 05:10 PM	#8
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	FWIW, RCBS small base dies are pretty snazzy for the AR so that you don't have to repeatedly trim. Definitely worth a few extra dollars if you're looking to feed your AR for higher volume loading.