So I picked up some Used .223 dies today, Went to load some rounds(Decapping Resizing and Priming) but when I tryed to cycle them through my rifle they didnt chamber very easy and extracting them was very difficult. And yet the factory ones cycle flawless. Whats the issue at hand? are the dies to worn out? they look to be in good shape.
.223 Issues
- Thread starter Craig0ry
- Start date
Does your brass need to be trimmed? Maybe your reloaded rounds were too long, i.e. greater than the COAL?
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
A quick fix is to cut down the height of the shell holder, then make sure you use that shell holder specifically for the ammo you load only for that rifle. This can be accomplished fairly easily on a belt sander. Don't get too crazy though, just make small adjustments at a time until you hit the correct height. The shorter shell holder will allow the shoulder to be bumped back more and should solve the feeding issue you are experiencing.
+1. Small base dies for an AR, if they aren't small base you will likely have issues with chambering them. Also make sure you are using a full length die and not just a neck sizing die.
What brand and part # are the dies?
Mark
There lee full length dies. I can't get the part number until I get home. Thanks for the info guys. I'll try shortening the shell holder. If that doesn't work I'll get some new dies. Can someone direct me to a link for small base dies?
They SEEM to be the correct OAL? The headspacing LOOKS good? You have to be kidding!
MEASURE these things properly. Looking and guessing is totally and utterly WORTHLESS!
I would bet you have just not set the dies up properly. Screw the sizing die in a quarter turn and try it again. Keep doing that till the round chambers properly.
Better yet, buy a headspace measuring guage and stop guessing.
There is no need for small base dies in an AR15. I have been loading for AR's for years and years with a normal set of dies no problem. The difference is I actually measured the headspace and set up the sizing die properly.
A little resistance on closing the bolt is ok. When you fire the round you probably on't have any resitance opening the bolt.
Sounds to me like the sizing die was not comng down all the way and hitting the shell holder. or, the cases need trimming.
Sounds to me like the sizing die was not comng down all the way and hitting the shell holder. or, the cases need trimming.
Ok, this info helps more. Did you FL size the brass first before reusing? Please say you did not neck size them.
In my opinion, Lee dies are junk, but like I said, that's my opinion. Recommend Redding dies all the way.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I prefer Redding and RCBS dies myself, but to say that Lee dies are junk is inaccurate. Lee's tolerances are as tight as anyone's, they produce ammo as concentric and accurate as can be loaded with a 7/8X14 press, and they stand up to many years of hard use. I just prefer not to have to set up my dies with a couple of wrenches and a ball-peen hammer.
Interestingly enough, as fond as I am of my Redding competition dies, I've had hiccups with their standard non-bushing dies to the extent that I might switch back and use RCBS exclusively. Every manufacturer has let a product slip under their QC umbrella from time to time.
Like I said they were used and they only cost me 15$ Thanks for the info guys
