Best precision .223 dies?

DaveInPA · December 15, 2008, 01:01 PM

I've recently started reloading .223 ammo for the best accuracy possible, and it's becoming an obsession. I currently have Lee dies, and I'll continue to use those on my Turret press to load plinking ammo, but I want to get a single stage press and some high quality dies for loading precision .223 rounds.

What dies would you guys recommend? I guess I just need a good full length sizer and a competition style bullet seater, either from Redding or Forster? I don't know what crimp would do to accuracy, but I've crimped all the .223 rounds I've made so far just because I've been told it's a good idea to crimp rounds meant for use in an AR.

Thanks guys
Dave

Inspector3711 · December 15, 2008, 02:39 PM

I use and love Redding dies... That said, I use Lee collet dies when I'm neck sizing as I get better accuracy with them. I still Use Redding for seating and FL.

223 shooter · December 15, 2008, 03:50 PM

I have a Forster benchrest seater for my .223 loads , all I have ever used for my .223. Many very accurate loads produced using this seating die.

For full length I have a Redding standard die with a carbide neck insert.

Quote:

I use Lee collet dies when I'm neck sizing as I get better accuracy with them

A few years back I decided to try out the Lee Collet , I figured for money , about 17 bucks - why not? Some of the most accurate loads I have ever fired were neck sized by the Collet die.

DaveInPA · December 15, 2008, 04:09 PM

Yeah I was already leaning heavily toward the Forster seater with the micrometer. The neck sizing die isn't an option, however, since these rounds are for use in an AR.

boltgun71 · December 15, 2008, 04:25 PM

I have been using the RCBS Competition FL die set for my .223 AR-15. I have had great results with it, consistently placing in the top 3 in my last few matches. The micrometer bullet seating die is great and easy to use.

amamnn · December 16, 2008, 10:40 PM

If you are going to be loading for an AR There is no die that can compete with the Forster FL sizer The expander ball is set near the neck rather than below near the decapping pin.

For a good explanation of the advantages of this see the Forster site.
http://www.forsterproducts.com/

If you are going to spend the money on a precision die, then do not negate it by buying a "C" or "O" press. You'll want a press that floats the case.

Forster and Corbin presses do this.

http://www.corbins.com/prcsp-1.htm

HOGGHEAD · December 17, 2008, 04:11 AM

+1 for Forster.

I have sets of the Redding and the Forster. Both are great. But the Forster is less expensive. Tom.

steve4102 · December 17, 2008, 07:18 AM

I too think the Forster dies are about the best you can get. That said, if you have a Lee collet die and want to use it for your AR it will work great, just follow it up with a Redding Body die. The Lee die will give you the most concentric brass you can get and the Body die will size the case body, bump the shoulder back without affecting the neck. If you don't want to do the two step sizing, get the Forster.

rn22723 · December 17, 2008, 08:33 PM

Redding Type S FL Die with bushing appropriate for your brass.This allows you have control over the neck tension. You need the bushings for your brass being used. An alternative is to get a Redding FL Sizer Die with carbide expander ball

Redding Competition Seater die, or Forster Ultra Seater Each of them are great, the Redding will not work in the Forster Coax Press as it sits too high. They work well if you are loading VLD type bullets for single loading.

December 15, 2008, 01:01 PM	#1
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	Best precision .223 dies? I've recently started reloading .223 ammo for the best accuracy possible, and it's becoming an obsession. I currently have Lee dies, and I'll continue to use those on my Turret press to load plinking ammo, but I want to get a single stage press and some high quality dies for loading precision .223 rounds. What dies would you guys recommend? I guess I just need a good full length sizer and a competition style bullet seater, either from Redding or Forster? I don't know what crimp would do to accuracy, but I've crimped all the .223 rounds I've made so far just because I've been told it's a good idea to crimp rounds meant for use in an AR. Thanks guys Dave

December 15, 2008, 02:39 PM	#2
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	I use and love Redding dies... That said, I use Lee collet dies when I'm neck sizing as I get better accuracy with them. I still Use Redding for seating and FL. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

December 16, 2008, 10:40 PM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	If you are going to be loading for an AR There is no die that can compete with the Forster FL sizer The expander ball is set near the neck rather than below near the decapping pin. For a good explanation of the advantages of this see the Forster site. http://www.forsterproducts.com/ If you are going to spend the money on a precision die, then do not negate it by buying a "C" or "O" press. You'll want a press that floats the case. Forster and Corbin presses do this. http://www.corbins.com/prcsp-1.htm __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

December 17, 2008, 04:11 AM	#7
HOGGHEAD Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2008 Location: Rivesville, WV Posts: 637	Dies +1 for Forster. I have sets of the Redding and the Forster. Both are great. But the Forster is less expensive. Tom.

December 15, 2008, 04:09 PM	#4
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	Yeah I was already leaning heavily toward the Forster seater with the micrometer. The neck sizing die isn't an option, however, since these rounds are for use in an AR.

December 15, 2008, 04:25 PM	#5
boltgun71 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 547	I have been using the RCBS Competition FL die set for my .223 AR-15. I have had great results with it, consistently placing in the top 3 in my last few matches. The micrometer bullet seating die is great and easy to use.

December 17, 2008, 07:18 AM	#8
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	I too think the Forster dies are about the best you can get. That said, if you have a Lee collet die and want to use it for your AR it will work great, just follow it up with a Redding Body die. The Lee die will give you the most concentric brass you can get and the Body die will size the case body, bump the shoulder back without affecting the neck. If you don't want to do the two step sizing, get the Forster.

December 17, 2008, 08:33 PM	#9
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	Redding Type S FL Die with bushing appropriate for your brass.This allows you have control over the neck tension. You need the bushings for your brass being used. An alternative is to get a Redding FL Sizer Die with carbide expander ball Redding Competition Seater die, or Forster Ultra Seater Each of them are great, the Redding will not work in the Forster Coax Press as it sits too high. They work well if you are loading VLD type bullets for single loading.