.223 for target shooting, what dies should I buy?

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Tikka223

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Hello folks, looks like I'm gonna start saving my pennies to start reloading and will need some help picking out kit.

I'm torn between the RCBS Rock Chucker kit and the Hornady Lock-n-Load classic kit. I only need the single stage press and not a progressive one.

I'm wondering which dies will give me the best results when it comes to accuracy down range. I've head that Redding makes some pretty good stuff and I'm looking at the Type S or Match dies.

Suggestions?

Also are there any really comprehensive books or the will the ones that come from RCBS or Hornady do the trick?
 
"Best results"? You should give the Wilson dies a good hard look. Not for high production, just great accuracy.

Honestly, if you are just getting started, pick-up a set of standard, full length dies from any of the major manufacturers, Hornady, RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Lee, Forster, Dillon, whatever... and you'll be just fine to get started.
You'll also want to pick-up a decent 6" caliper and a decent 1" micrometer (when you are measuring things that are less than 1 inch, you generally need more accuracy and precision than a caliper will provide, unless your caliper cost a couple hundred bux or more).
And one of the things that helped me the most was a concentricity gauge. It not only helps you to assemble the best ammo you can; but it helps you to diagnose problems with your rifle or cases.
 
Hi Tikka

Dunno if I'd go all out on fancy expensive dies for the .223. I'd expect that standard quality dies from Redding or RCBS would do everything you require for .223. IMHO these pricey dies are a better match for rigs in 6mm or higher intended for 1000 yd shots. There'll no doubt be disagreement about this and I'd readily concede to the expertise of those more into LR rifle than I. These are just my thoughts.

Presses ? You'd ultimately be happy with either brand no doubt. My personal bias is toward the Hornady as I have their L&L AP and find Hornady's products and customer service simply outstanding. I really like the L&L bushing system and have converted my Redding Ultramag press to the L&L system as well.

RCBS have gone Chinese and, unfortunately, since then, there have been problems reported by some new owners of their presses. RCBS's service and warranty are reported to be absolutely excellent, however, so the problems I've read about were summarily sorted out. I nonetheless feel that the "new owner" experience fails when the warranty is the first feature of a product to be put into use. That said, I prefer RCBS's dies to Hornady's, so there you go :D.

I'm not a fan of "kits". With the exception of Reddings Boss kits, they all seem to contain at least one piece of "value added" throw away s**t. I'd avoid digital scales too. At the $100 or so price range balance beams deliver frustration free reliability and accuracy, digitals do NOT ! Redding makes an excellent press by the way and you may wish to look into Forster's Co-Ax press as well. The Co-Ax, like Hornady's L&L system generally requires a 1X die setup which will ultimately save a lot of time and make the process of reloading faster. "Even SS presses have varying features". Some Redding and RCBS models will convert to the Hornady L&L bushings as well. Co-Ax don't need em.

Anyhow Tikka, these are my personal thoughts, and biases :D, passed on to a fellow Herring Choker. Hope they help.

X2 on the concentricity gauge.
 
Tikka223 said:
I'm torn between the RCBS Rock Chucker kit and the Hornady Lock-n-Load classic kit. I only need the single stage press and not a progressive one.
[...]
I'm wondering which dies will give me the best results when it comes to accuracy down range. I've head that Redding makes some pretty good stuff and I'm looking at the Type S or Match dies.
[...]
Also are there any really comprehensive books or the will the ones that come from RCBS or Hornady do the trick?
Click to expand...
1) http://squibloads.wordpress.com/reloading/whats-the-best-single-stage-press/ - will give you some idea about presses and features. See the note on through-ram primer disposal - you'll thank me for that tidbit as long as you own a press. Neither kit you have mentioned has that feature.

2) Some people have remarkable results from the Lee collet dies, which are your least-expensive option. Past that, Redding and Forster have potentially the most features, best fit and finish and (typically) the best concentricity etc. Redding - at least the Match dies - are quite expensive... but with the micrometer heads are easy and repeatable in setup. You may find the Forsters better value. Any bushing system has the advantage of easy tuning. Someone mentioned Wilson - overkill with a factory gun, and slow as well.

3) You'll need one or two reloading manuals in addition to the materials from the press manufacturers - I like the Sierra and Lyman books, but anything is better than nothing.
 
acrashb said:
See the note on through-ram primer disposal - you'll thank me for that tidbit as long as you own a press. .
Click to expand...

Yep, my Redding Ultramag has the semi-through-ram primer disposal :redface:.

One of these days I'll remove the ram for a cleaning and do a minor duct tape fix to make it full auto and then retire my dustpan and broom.

Anyhow, I certainly know what you mean. Both my presses have the feature so I sort of take it for granted.
 
HKMark23 said:
and you may wish to look into Forster's Co-Ax press as well. The Co-Ax, like Hornady's L&L system generally requires a 1X die setup which will ultimately save a lot of time and make the process of reloading faster.
Click to expand...
I'll second that. Having tried many, my Co-Ax is the keeper. Slightly more expensive than a basic press, but not much, and so much easier to use while making really good ammo.
 
I'm going to be reloading for LR shooting so I will wanting something that will help me make accurate ammo. As well, I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of "buy once cry once". I figure if I buy something good right now I won't be looking to buy again in a years time.

What are some suggestions for micrometers? I have a simple Canadian tire caliper but I'm not sure how precise it is at finer measurements.
 
Tikka223 said:
I'm going to be reloading for LR shooting so I will wanting something that will help me make accurate ammo. As well, I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of "buy once cry once". I figure if I buy something good right now I won't be looking to buy again in a years time.

What are some suggestions for micrometers? I have a simple Canadian tire caliper but I'm not sure how precise it is at finer measurements.
Click to expand...

Inexpensive dial or digital verniers, like the ones often on sale at the Tire or Prince ass Auto, will do.

I say dial or digital because for the number of measurements and checks you'll be making, you don't want to be constantly dealing with a "vernier" scale.
 
The best results I have had over the years hae been with Lee and Redding dies. Personally I use a Lee Classic Cast press, I found the rockchucker press akward to use when I taught a guy to load.
 
Tikka223 said:
What are some suggestions for micrometers? I have a simple Canadian tire caliper but I'm not sure how precise it is at finer measurements.
Click to expand...

The caliper doesn't have to be that precise. To the nearest couple thousandths is plenty. You'll be using it for stuff like case lengths, overall lengths, etc.
The micrometer, you should get a decent one, in that you pay more than $50. My 0-1" is an old one that just says "Made in England" and my 0-25mm is a Mitutoyo.
 
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