Confused about RCBS dies

[Kryogen]

Don't disregard Lee just because it's low-cost. I started reloading .223 rem recently and did not have a big budget, so I got a .223 case lenght gage wih the Lee trimmer. You know what? It works like a charm.

and it will self destroy if you use it on powered tools. the cutter will eat into the length shaft, and the pin that goes through the flash hole will wear down.
For any volume, the 223 lee trimmer is totally junk.

Works "ok" for low volume applications, and hand trimming.

 

[supernova]

I've trimmed over 1k .223 from very long 5.56 lengths on one case length guage. Like I said before you're pushing too hard.

and it will self destroy if you use it on powered tools. the cutter will eat into the length shaft, and the pin that goes through the flash hole will wear down.
For any volume, the 223 lee trimmer is totally junk.

Works "ok" for low volume applications, and hand trimming.

 

[Kryogen]

I've trimmed over 1k .223 from very long 5.56 lengths on one case length guage. Like I said before you're pushing too hard.

I am not. Really. Maybe I got a bad batch, I don't know.
I just slightly push the case against the cutter, really.

A tool that self destroys when I use it gently is bs to me.
The WFT trimmer was the solution to me. trims a case every 2 seconds, headspaces on shoulder, solid stuff, can run at 1500 rpm, and cant kill it. I did all 1000 brass in a record time, and (unlike the lee), I have not ruined 3 so far.
But yes, it did cost 80$ instead of 8$, so I don't blame the lee. The lee is fine for the price. It's scrap for mass production.

 

[BigUglyMan]

You can neck size just fine using a FL die. Grab the FL set and you're off to the races if you're loading for a bolt rifle.