I'm getting back into reloading rifle after a long absence and I need a set of dies for .223 (in an AR15). I have an "in" in a gun shop so I can get them all at close to the same cost. I'm looking at Lee, Hornady or RCBS. I have all 3 in pistol calibres and I'm happy with all 3 but is one better suited for rifle calibres and if so why? I don't need high end dies as I doubt I would reap the benefit from an AR. TC
Ford or Chevy Dies, One Better Than The Other?
- Thread starter trky chsr
- Start date
I recently asked this same question to a group of reloaders near me. They all seemed to say there wasn't any negligible difference for someone new to it like me, but told me I would very much want the small base dies for reliable function in a semi auto.
Between the ones above there is no real difference but I have developed a real appreciation for Forster seating dies as they support the cartridge in a sleeve all the way up leading to less runout and more consistent loads. Redding competition dies do the same thing but cost more.
If I am using them in my Hornady LnL AP Progressive press I buy Hornady.
They seem to have more threads and they have the best locking ring in the business.
Otherwise I typically buy Lee dies due to them having the strongest decapping pin and they are easier to adjust bullet seating length than the RCBS dies.
I also have some RCBS dies which are good but they also have weak decapping pins.
For precision I have Redding Custom Competition dies.
They seem to have more threads and they have the best locking ring in the business.
Otherwise I typically buy Lee dies due to them having the strongest decapping pin and they are easier to adjust bullet seating length than the RCBS dies.
I also have some RCBS dies which are good but they also have weak decapping pins.
For precision I have Redding Custom Competition dies.
I have found that a regular full-length sizing die works fine for me. When it comes to semiauto rifles, you do want to make sure that you are in fact fully resizng the case. The die should be screwed in far enough that you can feel the press "cam over" towards the bottom of the stroke.
The Forster full length benchrest dies with the high mounted floating expander produces sized cases with the least amount of neck runout.
Chambers and dies vary in size, buy a standard .223 die and if you have extraction problems then get a small base die.
Below the Forster die with its high mounted expander holds and centers the case neck when the expander enters the neck. Meaning the expander will not pull the case neck off center and induce runout.
If you combine the Forster benchrest seating die you will make very concentric ammunition.
I worked in a sporting goods store and got a very good discount, I experimented with .233 dies and the Forsters were top of the line in making concentric ammo.
Chambers and dies vary in size, buy a standard .223 die and if you have extraction problems then get a small base die.
Below the Forster die with its high mounted expander holds and centers the case neck when the expander enters the neck. Meaning the expander will not pull the case neck off center and induce runout.
If you combine the Forster benchrest seating die you will make very concentric ammunition.
I worked in a sporting goods store and got a very good discount, I experimented with .233 dies and the Forsters were top of the line in making concentric ammo.
I like Lee dies for few reasons-cost and softer steels used.If I need I can modify Lee dies in any machine shop.Machining them is a lot easier than RCBS.Even if I ruin them they are cheap to replace.
I dislike them because I have clean and oil them every time inside and out after use.They rust pretty quickly from my sweaty fingers
I dislike them because I have clean and oil them every time inside and out after use.They rust pretty quickly from my sweaty fingers
Not much pressure is involved in sizing pistol cases, so Lee dies should work OK.
But, the weakness in Lee dies is the centre mandrel that holds the inside neck sizing die and the de-priming pin is just held in the sizing die body by friction and under the high pressure of sizing bottle neck rifle cases it often fails to hold.
Its an aggravating chore to get the tools out to loosen the friction, re-set it, then hope you can tighten the friction enough to hold it in place, or you will be doing it all over again.
My suggestion is to get one of the other brands you mention.
But, the weakness in Lee dies is the centre mandrel that holds the inside neck sizing die and the de-priming pin is just held in the sizing die body by friction and under the high pressure of sizing bottle neck rifle cases it often fails to hold.
Its an aggravating chore to get the tools out to loosen the friction, re-set it, then hope you can tighten the friction enough to hold it in place, or you will be doing it all over again.
My suggestion is to get one of the other brands you mention.
Lonesome Donkey
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Alberta
Can't beat the old Studebaker dies.
Even better than the old DeSoto dies.
Even better than the old DeSoto dies.
GunsNotPuns
CGN frequent flyer
I've noticed no difference between Hornady, Lee and RCBS dies -- they all seem to be of the same quality to me and they all turn out about the same quality of ammunition. Ninety percent of the end product is the reloader, not the equipment is the way I see it.
That said, I salivate over the Redding Competition Bullet Seating dies...I wish I could justify the expensive of having one for each caliber I load. I dream that one day Lee will create their own version for half the price. I dream a lot.
That said, I salivate over the Redding Competition Bullet Seating dies...I wish I could justify the expensive of having one for each caliber I load. I dream that one day Lee will create their own version for half the price. I dream a lot.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I prefer the luck rings on Hornady over the ones on RCBS. RCBS has a set screw that bears against the threads of the die, Hornady is a split ring design that tightens around the body of the die. I find the Hornady gets tighter and slips less. You can purchase the lock-rings from Brownells. I swapped them out on my Forster dies because I prefer them. Completely personal preference. I also like the micrometer stem that you can get on the Hornadys as well.
Hornady
RCBS
Quick fix for the brass, self stripping RCBS set screw is swap it for a steel one. (All you can carry for a dollar) Put a single lead shot in the hole first, then when you tighten the Allen screw it'll stay there until you want it to move or hell freezes over. Whichever comes first. I've been known to skip the lead shot.
For rifle I have a preference for Redding. Mostly for the smooth internal finish of the sizers. Mixed feeling about the bushing dies, but love the comp seaters.
You can get a straight die from any of the manufacturers, or
a crooked from the same place. Doesn't seem to happen as often as it used to.
Hey; does anyone else remember when a bag of brass cost a fraction of the price of the die set? What happened there?
For rifle I have a preference for Redding. Mostly for the smooth internal finish of the sizers. Mixed feeling about the bushing dies, but love the comp seaters.
You can get a straight die from any of the manufacturers, or
a crooked from the same place. Doesn't seem to happen as often as it used to.
Hey; does anyone else remember when a bag of brass cost a fraction of the price of the die set? What happened there?
I reload mainly 223 and 9mm, I use both Lee and rcbs full length die sets. Not sure if it's my set of dies, but I have found my rcbs 223 fl sizing die does a better job of sizing than my Lee dies do. I find the rcbs brings the shoulder into spec just a little better. I notice this when checking my rounds in my no go gauge afterwords. I do agree with others on Lee's seating die though, easier to adjust and their factory crimp dies are Awsome.
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
Gradually converting all my RCBS dies to Hornady New Dimension. The RCBS dies I had in 30-06 and .308 Win were not sizing sufficiently (carefully measured) to chamber in some rifles whereas the Hornady (also meticulously measured) resized cases were at, or very near, factory unfired case dimensions. My chambering issues went away instantly. It's like RCBS (at least the dies I had) were resizing to SAAMI maximum specs and this was not a good thing for a tight chamber. Add to this the fact that the Hornady seating die has a collar that comes down over the bullet and guides it straight into the case mouth, and Hornady wins every time with me. The seating adjustment on the Hornady seating die is very slick also, and makes the RCBS stem/lock nut system seem archaic, finicky, and time consuming to operate. JMHO.
I also own a few Redding die sets which are very good indeed.
I also own a few Redding die sets which are very good indeed.
