Buying 223 dies

[Bugs100]

What do you think are the best set of dies for loading .223, I'm using a Hornady LnL press.

I don't care what they cost, I just want to buy once.

 

[Kentucky Shooter]

I use the RCBS 2 die set---I think for all hunting purposes, informal target shooting, etc....these are great--- For me, I would have no other. If you have something break (which you probably won't), RCBS will take care of you no questions asked. RCBS also makes more expensive competition dies, but I have no experience with them.

 

[waxman]

I also use RCBS dies. I have never had a problem with them, and I have 29 sets of their dies.

 

[Paul5388]

I haven't set my LNL AP up for .223 yet, but when I do, I'll use Lee dies. I have 20+ sets of RCBS dies, but have tended toward duplicating many of them with Lee dies, especially if they have a collet type neck sizing die in the Deluxe set.

If your LNL is an AP, I would also strongly suggest getting a RCBS Lock Out die to help prevent over charges of powder.

 

[Uncle Larry]

I'm just in love with Redding equipment..it can be somewhat
"spendy", but it lt'll out last me by 4 or 5 lifetimes.....

Also have a Jones for Forster dies....never had a problem with them, but they can be a little pricey also.
HTH

 

[fiveinch27]

I like the Hornady method of bullet seating and use the New Dimension die sets on all my rifle calibers.

 

[3five7]

There is nothing wrong with Hornady dies, You can add the microjust seating stem and have a micrometer bullet seating die for a lot less than the competition.

 

[epj]

Right now, .223 dies are hard to find. I could have gotten some RCBS locally, but read user feedback on Midway's site indicating problems with the seating stem used by RCBS. Numerous folks complained about the same thing, so apparently there is some sort of problem. I think this problem is limited to the .223 dies, as I've used RCBS in the past without difficulty. I found some Lee RGB dies on eBay for under $20 and jumped on them. They seem to work just fine in my Dillon 550. No issues at all.

 

[Amici]

I got the Dillon CARBIDE die set. Not cheap, but it needs far less case lube and you have to really stupid to get a case stuck in the sizing due.

 

[truckermike]

If your loading for a semiauto: AR15/M4 or Mini 14. Make sure you get a smallbase sizer die. Ive been using the RCBS .223 small base die set for over 30 years now. It will save you alot of headaches.

 

[n4zov]

I've bought nothing but RCBS dies for years and have been very satisfied. They are also very accommodating if you have a problem or need something like an unusual sized expander. There are also other good dies on the market, and I can't think of any "bad" dies.

 

[James57]

I am normally a RCBS or Redding guy but I have a little mini mauser in .223 and a set of Hornady .223 dies that I load with. That little rifle will shoot 3/4" to 1/2" groups with several bullets as long as the weight doesn't go above 55 grains. I don't know whether it is just the rifle or a combo of rifle and the Hornady dies but I ain't taking any chances. I really like the sliding sleeve that aligns and hold the bullet in place as it enters the seating die.

 

[FrankD45]

Originally posted by Amici:
I got the Dillon CARBIDE die set. Not cheap, but it needs far less case lube and you have to really stupid to get a case stuck in the sizing due.

I also use the Dillon Carbide. I agree it is not cheap. Also, I resemble your comment about being really stupid if you stick a case.

Dillon was really cool about it and fixed it free.

Frank

 

[harry carey]

Forster Benchrest dies are what I use for 223.

 

[MrPhil]

A couple years ago I traded for a NIB set of Dillon carbide dies. Very, very nice. Much less effort required and no stuck cases . . . yet.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Originally posted by Amici:
I got the Dillon CARBIDE die set. Not cheap, but it needs far less case lube and you have to really stupid to get a case stuck in the sizing due.

+1 Plus they are easy to take apart if you do get one stuck.