Ackley Improved

[Igiveup]

I ordered a .223 sizeing and depriming die from Lee last week. The die arrived and I opened the package. The paper work said .223 Ackley Improved with hand written "New" three times on the label. I am in the middle of reloading .223 and need a sizing and decapping die. Will this die work for the standard .223 cartridge or will it give it the AI 40 degree shoulder. I don't want to use it in case I must return it.

 

[Dan W. Cady]

I ordered a .223 sizeing and depriming die from Lee last week. The die arrived and I opened the package. The paper work said .223 Ackley Improved with hand written "New" three times on the label. I am in the middle of reloading .223 and need a sizing and decapping die. Will this die work for the standard .223 cartridge or will it give it the AI 40 degree shoulder. I don't want to use it in case I must return it.

It will neck size and deprime but will not size the body due to the Ackley being less tapered.

 

[ReloadforFun]

If yours is a standard 223 chamber, it's probably best to exchange the die for a standard die.

 

[gwpercle]

Call Lee and talk to a person ...
It doesn't sound right but who knows ... Lee has some strange ways of doing things and perhaps it can work .
Gary

 

[toad67]

Did you buy it from a private seller that termed it as new, maybe off of fleabay? I don't see any reason that "new" would be hand written three times if it was actually factory NIB, sounds like someone got their inventory mixed up. But as for your original question, no, it won't size to SAAMI .223 specs

 

[trulyapostolic]

The Ackley version of the 223 has completely different body and shoulder dimensions. Lee should replace that set for free.