2 die vs 3 die vs 4 die

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jon1985

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I am starting to accumulate the required equipment to load .223 and am puzzled when it comes to dies.

Some brand sell 2 dies, some sell 3 and others sell 4.

95% of this ammunition will be shot out of an AR.

Whos using what and why?

Thanks
 
I have a set of lee dies for my 222, 3 die set only use the FL resizing. it was the only die set I could find local for 222. could get away with a 2 die set. really do not need the seating die as I do all my seating and priming with a old lyman hand press that used different dies. also have some rcbs dies that were my father in laws. only have the fl resizing for most of the calibers and a universal seating die.
 
Small base full length set and and Lee factory crimp die set. Small base sizes down a down a bit more for better feeding in a semi. I use RCBS dies for mine.
 
2 die = Neck size and bullet seat.
3 die = Neck, FL size, and bullet seat.
4 die = Neck, FL size, bullet seat, and crimp.

For an AR or other autoloader, buy the 4 die set. FL size and crimp are pretty well mandatory for autoloaders.
 
Jorkapp said:
2 die = Neck size and bullet seat.
3 die = Neck, FL size, and bullet seat.
4 die = Neck, FL size, bullet seat, and crimp.

For an AR or other autoloader, buy the 4 die set. FL size and crimp are pretty well mandatory for autoloaders.
Click to expand...

this, its cheaper to buy the 4 die set than the 2 die plus crimp.
 
Jorkapp said:
Cases used in autoloaders generally need to be FL sized each time. Neck sizing is usually reserved for manual-action rifles.
Click to expand...

good to know, I guess I will start shopping dies....


I plan to do everything on my Hornady LnL AP press as Im not looking for moa ammo for my AR at this point.

The plan right now is to load 55g fmj campros over BLC 2 powder. I will do some experimenting once I get the AR to see what weight of projectile it likes. It is coming with an 18" barrel with 1:8 twist so should handle heavier projectiles well.
 
Jorkapp said:
2 die = Neck size and bullet seat.
3 die = Neck, FL size, and bullet seat.
4 die = Neck, FL size, bullet seat, and crimp.

For an AR or other autoloader, buy the 4 die set. FL size and crimp are pretty well mandatory for autoloaders.
Click to expand...

Most often, a two die set includes a FL die, and a seating die.
 
Crimping may be necessary in a magazine fed autoloader like an AR-15. You may get some bullet setback from the cartridges slamming forward into the front of the magazine under recoil. I really like the Dillon reloading dies. I find the sizing die expander / decapper pins about the best and instead refer the taper crimp die over the Lee factory crimp die as it is very easy to tune to the exact crimp you want and it is easier on the case mouth. The Lee FCD is great for leaver actions though. You can put a good crimp in a bullet was the no cannelure with the FCD.
 
I'm not sure where I got this but it was in my notes.

In years past almost all dies were 2 die sets -- The sizing die also decapped and sized the neck to the proper diameter -- The seating die seated the bullet and crimped the case.

Three die pistol and straight case rifle dies came along next. sizing/decap die, the extra being an expanding die, then a bullet seating die.

Some 3 die sets the sizing die decapped and sized the neck to the proper diameter,the seating die seated the bullet, the 3rd die being a crimping die.

Other 3 die sets are like the 2 die set with the full length sizing/decap die and the bullet seater/crimp. The 3rd die being a neck resizer/decapping die in place of the full length die.

Four die sets, sizing/decap die, expander die, bullet seater, the fourth die being a crimper.


All these combinations can vary by maker of the die sets -
Two die sets have and can load as precise a reload as any.
Click to expand...
 
when I started out I reloaded a lot of ammo with these.

LEE%20LOADER.JPG
 
I full-length size for all rifles for their first loading, & then neck-size all after except for semi-autos. For most semi's I'll go with small-base dies for all after the first time. I crimp firmly for semi's, & experiment with the rest to see what gives best results. The Lee Factory Crimp is a pretty consistent one I've found, but you need to see what works best for you & your rifle(s).
 
For my AR:
Full length size (adjusted to just bump the shoulder back)
Bullet seating and crimp die (nearly all seating dies can also crimp when adjusted properly)

Lee dies for both.

I do have a factory crimp die for .223 but don't use it when loading jacketed bullets in .223. If I'm loading 55gr cast gas-checked bullets I'll perform a crimp step separately.
 
I shoot 223 out of a 700P and a TAVOR.
They both are on a different diet since my 700P amo dont fit AR clip
So I use lee fl die for the tavor, lee collet die and redding body die for the 700P, both get seated on a redding micrometer seater and tavor amo Finishes in a lee crimp die. The each have their brass and I dont mix.
 
I fl size 223 semi ammo with a case gauge to go back to saami specs for function in any gun.
My bolt action ammo only gets the shoulder bumped a little for use in one rifle.
If loading for multiple bolts, you could try bumping for function in all your rifles.
 
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