progressive or SS for .223???

[Mikeyman]

Hello all - I am getting into the AR game and would like your opinions on how to proceed. I have a single stage press from RCBS as well as the chargemaster combo for rifle cartridges but I also have a Dillon 550b set up for 45acp.

Given the equipment listed which press would you use? I will be shooting 2-300 hundred a month so I am thinking I might just get a set of 223 dies and use the rcbs SS. The Dillon would obviously be quicker but not as precise and more expensive too set up (dies/toolhead/conversion kit etc...)

Thanks...

 

[dawson85]

i have a lee pro 1000 for 223 that i dont use anymore because i think it would be safer to chew on the primers with a bottle of nitroglycerin in my hand than use that death trap. so i use my lee turret press now you just have to double pull to charge the case. but for that kind of round count id go single stage with a powder measure.

 

[thebaron]

i have a lee pro 1000 for 223 that i dont use anymore because i think it would be safer to chew on the primers with a bottle of nitroglycerin in my hand than use that death trap. so i use my lee turret press now you just have to double pull to charge the case. but for that kind of round count id go single stage with a powder measure.

I just ordered a new Pro 1000 for 9mm and .44 with the odd run of 223. What is the problem with the 1000? Should I not bother unpacking it and fire it back through the mail?

To the OP: I currently load 223 with a SS and it takes me quite a while to load 50 rounds. Maybe an hour or an hour and a half.

 

[ATOM]

Well, you can't consider the cost of the dies as that'll be the same whether you're using a progressive or a SS.

 

[acrashb]

Should I not bother unpacking it and fire it back through the mail?

Lee recommends not using Federal primers. Some people don't follow the advice, and some of them discover that primers can gang-fire up the chute into the tray which causes a fair bit of havoc - Federal primers being more sensitive than others, best to follow Lee's advice. Also always wear your safety glasses while handling primers, on-press or off.

 

[Mikeyman]

I am thinking I will go with the single stage - any recommendations on dies I should buy? Any I should avoid? As stated this will be to reload for an AR15 only so full length resizing right? Thanks.

 

[ATOM]

I am thinking I will go with the single stage - any recommendations on dies I should buy? Any I should avoid? As stated this will be to reload for an AR15 only so full length resizing right? Thanks.

There's a lot of bias out there.

I bought an RCBS Rockchucker years ago. Still going strong, uncounted thousands of rounds reloaded, never regretted it. Will others work? Sure, but that one I like.

 

[AlexF]

I used both an RCBS Rockchucker and a Dillon 450 for 20 years and have been extremely satisfied with both.
At the time, RCBS was the best single stage product when you consider support/warranty and Dillon was the best progressive press (they almost invented the thing).

Don't be cheap and buy quality which will give you satisfaction and quality for the rest of your life.

I sold the Dillon when I stopped shooting handguns and can produce large quantities of 223 at 1/4 to 1/3 the speed of a progressive with a single stage press.

Alex

 

[acrashb]

I am thinking I will go with the single stage - any recommendations on dies I should buy?
Any I should avoid?
As stated this will be to reload for an AR15 only so full length resizing right? Thanks.

1) whatever fits your needs and budget. Since you are loading for plinking on an AR-15 platform, any die set will do. If you like shiny things for their own sake you can pay more, and if you like easy adjustability you can pay more (for micrometer heads on the seating die). If you dislike lubing the inside of your case necks find a die set with a carbide button. Any die set you buy will transition to your Dillon if you later decide to load progressively.
2) there are no "bad" brands of die.
3) yes. You can fuss around with other things if you have a precision AR, but for general use, use a standard full-length sizing die.