Questions from a newbie

radarbeam

radarbeam

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Hey guys,

I'm looking to get into reloading for my new .223 that's coming in the mail. I've never reloaded in my entire life but I did spend the last few days reading about it as much as I can.

So far, I've decided on the Lee 35th anniversary kit. My main question as to do with the dies.

First, what is the purpose of a full length sizer die? Does this replaces case trimming by resizing the brass to specs?

Next, Wholesale sports sells a deluxe rifle 3 die set. From the description of the product they don't talk about a bullet seating and crimping die, do some sets comes without?

And last (for now :D), the deluxe kit includes a Collet Neck Sizing die whereas the standard one doesn't. Is this a necessary die? What's the purpose of it?

If anyone as any tips on reloading for a newbie they're welcome to share it here!


Cheers,
Radar


P.S: Does anyone else than WSS sells Lee equipment?
 
Go for the deluxe set - it allows you to full length resize, and neck size. It has a bullet seating die that can be used for crimping, if desired.
The FL die reduces the case size to factory spec. You still need to trim the length in a separate operation. The neck sizing die swages the neck only, leaving the rest of the case unaffected. This gives a snug fit in the rifles chamber, allowing for improved accuracy. If your shooting the brass in another rifle, then you have to FL resize, as the brass may be oversize.
Higginsons sells Lee products - they run a mail order out of Hawkesbury ont.
 
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cosmic said:
Go for the deluxe set - it allows you to full length resize, and neck size. It has a bullet seating die that can be used for crimping, if desired.
The FL die reduces the case size to factory spec. You still need to trim the length in a separate operation. The neck sizing die swages the neck only, leaving the rest of the case unaffected. This gives a snug fit in the rifles chamber, allowing for improved accuracy. If your shooting the brass in another rifle, then you have to FL resize, as the brass may be oversize.
Higginsons sells Lee products - they run a mail order out of Hawkesbury ont.
Click to expand...

X1....go for the best you can afford ..neck size dies only work well for bolt actions and not so good for the others
 
Cool thanks for your advises guys!
I'm going to pick up some manuals tomorrow.

Quick question ....I assume case trimming must be done BEFORE full lenght sizing, right?
 
If you've got a bolt .223 coming, for sure go for the collet dies. If it's a semi auto, you'll need to full length resize.

Case trim after sizing (if necessary).
 
There are a couple of things to be aware of with the Lee Deluxe Rifle Die Set:

1) It does not come with the Lee Factory Crimp Die, which is included in the standard PaceSetter dies. Many people find the FCD invaluable, especially with lead bullets, but that mightn't be important with a .223.

2) The Deluxe Rifle Die set comes with a "dead length" bullet seater. Although I'm not positive, from reading their literature, this seems to be a bullet seater that does not roll crimp.

So, if you get the deluxe set, you're getting the neck sizing die, which is great for accuracy and brass life, but *perhaps* giving up the ability to crimp, which may or may not be important for your application.

I'd get the best of both worlds and go for the deluxe set plus the FCD (about $10).

Good luck... I'm just starting reloading myself, too, so take my advice with a grain of salt :)
 
Hey,if you buy a Lee Anniversary kit you will update as soon as you get into
serious reloading...Been there done that...If you need to reload for hunting,it will do it well...but if you want to go to precision reloading you are spending money for nothing...:rolleyes:
 
stickhunter said:
There are a couple of things to be aware of with the Lee Deluxe Rifle Die Set:

1) It does not come with the Lee Factory Crimp Die, which is included in the standard PaceSetter dies. Many people find the FCD invaluable, especially with lead bullets, but that mightn't be important with a .223.

2) The Deluxe Rifle Die set comes with a "dead length" bullet seater. Although I'm not positive, from reading their literature, this seems to be a bullet seater that does not roll crimp.

So, if you get the deluxe set, you're getting the neck sizing die, which is great for accuracy and brass life, but *perhaps* giving up the ability to crimp, which may or may not be important for your application.

I'd get the best of both worlds and go for the deluxe set plus the FCD (about $10).

Good luck... I'm just starting reloading myself, too, so take my advice with a grain of salt :)
Click to expand...

Caution: Incoming noob alert. :D

To crimp a bullet, it has to have a crimp in the first place right? And from what I can see not all bullets come with crimps.

So my question is, for those that do not require crimping does the dies still tighten the neck of the brass holding the bullet firmly in place?

End of noob alert, you can return safely to your homes :p
 
Bullets with cannelures typically can be crimped with the sizing die. (The above post may be correct about the sizing die in the Deluxe kit, cant recall) No cannelure requires the separate crimping die.
The sizing die provides enough neck tension, so crimping is not necessary. The benefits if crimping are debatable - I used to years ago, but stopped. As mentioned, its an inexpensive adder to the Deluxe Kit.
 
I ended up ordering the factory crimp die shortly after my deluxe dies (still waiting for the FCD to arrive) because of what I saw in a reloader's nest thread. The poster provided photos of two groups he had shot. They were both loaded at the same time and to the same specs, only difference was that he used the LFCD on half of the rounds. The crimped rounds averaged only 10fps faster out of the barrel but his group size was reduced by 1/8", pretty impressive for a $13 die haha.
I know that doesn't mean I'll have the same results because a lot of different things could have decreased the size of his group by 1/8"... But it was enough to get me interested, now I'll try it out myself.
 
Just remember, reloading has a lifetime learning curve.

I've been reloading for 10 years now and still lurn stuff all the time.

Personnaly i would not crimp a 223 , unless your'e worried about feeding problems??

One word of advice. New reloaders always seem want to load their ammo hotter than factory ammo. Then they get discouraged when their accuracy sucks. Dont give up, it takes a while to figure out a good process.
 
Hey, did you check out Higginson's for your supplies?

If you need photocopies of reloading data or advice feel free. One good thing about being a member of CTM/CRAFM... it's great for all that .223 brass people leave lying around. :)

Just be warned, a lot of it has a crimped primer, so you are going to have to buy/borrow a pocket swager or ream off the crip with a chamfer tool.

RCBS makes a kit that mounts in your press or the Dillon one. I got a Dillon one on order with them. If I can make a mount to C-clamp onto my bench somehow instead of bolting it down, then it would be no problem if you need to borrow it.
 
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