Hornady 223 die sets

Swampman1 · July 25, 2013, 07:25 PM

Just purchased my first AR...the Colt LE6920MP Magpul edition from Walmart today. Now I'm looking into future .223 reloading, and I hear some complaints about the Hornady dies(Bullet seating die in particular)causing a few people problems with sticking. And is it customary for this die set to contain only 2 dies?

Ifishsum · July 26, 2013, 04:15 AM

I actually like Hornady's seating die better than most other brands, I have several sets and sticking isn't something I have experienced with the seater stem, plus the aligning collar makes it easier to seat small flat based bullets.

Most bottleneck rifle sets are only two dies, yes. No need for a separate neck expander die as there is with a straight pistol cartridge.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · July 26, 2013, 06:22 AM

Have you considered or looked into a Small Base Die Set OP? As Small Base Dies are commonly used for semi-auto rifles like your AR.
Hornady dies. There very good dies.

S/S

schmellba99 · July 26, 2013, 02:52 PM

I've never had a problem with my Hornady dies, at least that I can think of anyway.

I would say they are neck and neck with RCBS in terms of quality. Not quite top shelf quality, but not far behind either. Close enough that you'll be very hard pressed to tell the difference between ammo loaded on a Hornady die and ammo on a Redding die.

4runnerman · July 26, 2013, 02:55 PM

Had a set for my 243--Was on way back to Scheels to return them with in 20 minutes of getting home with them. Got RCBS- Never had the problem again. Must be hit and miss with them.

Swampman1 · July 26, 2013, 04:32 PM

Why return them?

4runnerman · July 26, 2013, 07:46 PM

Why return them?. why would I keep a set of bad dies?. Came home with the RCBS dies and went right to work on same brass,never a issue. RCBS dies are good dies to a point. Normally I would get Forester,but the 243 is just for yotes any how

Farmland · July 26, 2013, 08:05 PM

I can't say that I am fond of the Hornady 223 dies. I had them then I think I ended up either giving them away or junking them. I do like full size RCBS along with the Dillon crimping die. I size and seat a bullet with RCBS then crimp with the Dillon Crimp Die.

This just works for me it may or may not work for you.

Kimber84 · July 26, 2013, 09:07 PM

I like Hornady dies, wouldn't hesitate to buy more. The collar/bushing that holds the bullet is great for flat based bullets as someone else stated.

Swampman1 · July 26, 2013, 09:23 PM

The Hornady dies in general are good. The problem a few people were having, is believed to be only with the 223 dies, because of lack of case lube during the process.

PA-Joe · July 27, 2013, 11:39 AM

You also have to clean the dies before using them!

JimDandy · July 27, 2013, 01:09 PM

I prefer the Hornady dies, because of the sliding seating collar over my brother's RCBS dies. I also give the edge to the Hornady lock rings. RCBS does have on die that's hard to beat for .223 A lube die.

I do my .223 on the ammo plant with that die. First time through the machine or by hand while watching TV- decap with universal Decap die. Second pass on the machine, step one, lube, step two resize and prime. Third time handling is add powder, seat and crimp.

math teacher · July 27, 2013, 01:26 PM

I have both Hornady and RCBS dies in 338. The RCBS are just collecting dust.

Swampman1 · July 27, 2013, 01:29 PM

OK clue me in on why just 2 dies in the set, as opposed to other Hornady sets with 3 dies. Is something different in the reloading process with .223?

JimDandy · July 27, 2013, 02:15 PM

It's the case construction. Generally speaking all bottleneck cases use 2 dies, and all straight wall cases use 3 dies.

So a 45 Auto- 45-70, 380 etc straight wall uses three, sizing, expanding/"belling", and seating/crimp.

A 223/300 RUM/300 Win-Mag/etc etc etc uses two a sizing die with a little bit and bob on the decapping pin to work the neck (which along with some chamfering works for) sizing for the second die to bullet seat and crimp.

Swampman1 · July 27, 2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

It's the case construction. Generally speaking all bottleneck cases use 2 dies, and all straight wall cases use 3 dies.

So a 45 Auto- 45-70, 380 etc straight wall uses three, sizing, expanding/"belling", and seating/crimp.

A 223/300 RUM/300 Win-Mag/etc etc etc uses two a sizing die with a little bit and bob on the decapping pin to work the neck (which along with some chamfering works for) sizing for the second die to bullet seat and crimp.

OK thanks Jim, that makes sense.

July 25, 2013, 07:25 PM	#1
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	Hornady 223 die sets Just purchased my first AR...the Colt LE6920MP Magpul edition from Walmart today. Now I'm looking into future .223 reloading, and I hear some complaints about the Hornady dies(Bullet seating die in particular)causing a few people problems with sticking. And is it customary for this die set to contain only 2 dies?

July 26, 2013, 02:55 PM	#5
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Had a set for my 243--Was on way back to Scheels to return them with in 20 minutes of getting home with them. Got RCBS- Never had the problem again. Must be hit and miss with them. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

July 26, 2013, 07:46 PM	#7
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Why return them?. why would I keep a set of bad dies?. Came home with the RCBS dies and went right to work on same brass,never a issue. RCBS dies are good dies to a point. Normally I would get Forester,but the 243 is just for yotes any how __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

July 26, 2013, 09:07 PM	#9
Kimber84 Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Location: US Posts: 455	Hornady 223 die sets I like Hornady dies, wouldn't hesitate to buy more. The collar/bushing that holds the bullet is great for flat based bullets as someone else stated.

July 26, 2013, 04:15 AM	#2
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	I actually like Hornady's seating die better than most other brands, I have several sets and sticking isn't something I have experienced with the seater stem, plus the aligning collar makes it easier to seat small flat based bullets. Most bottleneck rifle sets are only two dies, yes. No need for a separate neck expander die as there is with a straight pistol cartridge.

July 26, 2013, 06:22 AM	#3
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Have you considered or looked into a Small Base Die Set OP? As Small Base Dies are commonly used for semi-auto rifles like your AR. Hornady dies. There very good dies. S/S

July 26, 2013, 02:52 PM	#4
schmellba99 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 803	I've never had a problem with my Hornady dies, at least that I can think of anyway. I would say they are neck and neck with RCBS in terms of quality. Not quite top shelf quality, but not far behind either. Close enough that you'll be very hard pressed to tell the difference between ammo loaded on a Hornady die and ammo on a Redding die.

July 26, 2013, 04:32 PM	#6
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	Why return them?

July 26, 2013, 08:05 PM	#8
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	I can't say that I am fond of the Hornady 223 dies. I had them then I think I ended up either giving them away or junking them. I do like full size RCBS along with the Dillon crimping die. I size and seat a bullet with RCBS then crimp with the Dillon Crimp Die. This just works for me it may or may not work for you.

July 26, 2013, 09:23 PM	#10
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	The Hornady dies in general are good. The problem a few people were having, is believed to be only with the 223 dies, because of lack of case lube during the process.

July 27, 2013, 11:39 AM	#11
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	You also have to clean the dies before using them!

July 27, 2013, 01:09 PM	#12
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	I prefer the Hornady dies, because of the sliding seating collar over my brother's RCBS dies. I also give the edge to the Hornady lock rings. RCBS does have on die that's hard to beat for .223 A lube die. I do my .223 on the ammo plant with that die. First time through the machine or by hand while watching TV- decap with universal Decap die. Second pass on the machine, step one, lube, step two resize and prime. Third time handling is add powder, seat and crimp.

July 27, 2013, 01:26 PM	#13
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 559	I have both Hornady and RCBS dies in 338. The RCBS are just collecting dust.

July 27, 2013, 01:29 PM	#14
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	OK clue me in on why just 2 dies in the set, as opposed to other Hornady sets with 3 dies. Is something different in the reloading process with .223?

July 27, 2013, 02:15 PM	#15
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	It's the case construction. Generally speaking all bottleneck cases use 2 dies, and all straight wall cases use 3 dies. So a 45 Auto- 45-70, 380 etc straight wall uses three, sizing, expanding/"belling", and seating/crimp. A 223/300 RUM/300 Win-Mag/etc etc etc uses two a sizing die with a little bit and bob on the decapping pin to work the neck (which along with some chamfering works for) sizing for the second die to bullet seat and crimp.