What dies should I buy for 223 AR?

[edkern]

I will be loading for a precision AR with a Wylde chamber and 1:7.7 twist. I will load 77rg SMK BTHP bullets. This is my first precision rifle. I will be using a Hornady LNL AP to start while I get used to shooting the rifle. When I hit a plateau in precision I'll probably buy a single stage press. I know that the dies for the LNL AP need to be pretty long. I imagine to ensure proper feeding I will need to have a full length sizing die instead of neck sizing. I've reloaded for handguns for about 2 years, so I'm pretty new at this, and I have never loaded for rifles. I'm 95% sure that I would like a caliper style seating die.

Please let me know what you would do from first die to last. I know the answers will be subjective so I will weigh them accordingly. Money is no object.

Thanks

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Redding Match set with Competition seater, S neck bushing die and body die. Buy a .243" TiNi bushing, buy a .245" TiNi bushing and buy a .249"TiNi bushing, just in case you need to step down due to blown out necks.

Chris

 

[dogmessiah]

Depends on how much you want to spend and how nice of a finish you want. For various calibers i have, I own Lee, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Forester, and Bonanza(now forester). The finish on the others are a lot nicer, but my Lee dies load just as accurate of rounds as all the others(which are all plenty accurate). Really what you need to tell us is how sexy you want to be and how much you want to spend.

 

[edkern]

Money is no object. Accuracy and Precision are top priorities. Sexiness would be nice, but I'll always take function over form.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Money is no object. Accuracy and Precision are top priorities. Sexiness would be nice, but I'll always take function over form.

"Redding Match set with Competition seater, S neck bushing die and body die. Buy a .243" TiNi bushing, buy a .245" TiNi bushing and buy a .249"TiNi bushing, just in case you need to step down due to blown out necks."

All the cool kids are runnin' them.

Chris

 

[260shooter]

Forester is what I recommend and use for AR's. Makes accurate ammo, not complecated. Remember it's going to get pushed out of a magazine and slammed into a chamber.

 

[BoilerUP]

I use Lee Pacesetters in my AR...no issues with feed or function and accuracy in the 0.5-0.7MOA range with Nosler 77gr CCs.

Bushing dies might be "better"...but I'll never be able to shoot it in a gas gun.

 

[stilts75]

"Redding Match set with Competition seater, S neck bushing die and body die. Buy a .243" TiNi bushing, buy a .245" TiNi bushing and buy a .249"TiNi bushing, just in case you need to step down due to blown out necks."

All the cool kids are runnin' them.

Chris

Yep.... This is the good stuff. Spend once you won't be disappointed!

 

[Squid284]

What he said. Good choice with the 77SMK's also, best option if you're seating to magazine length.

 

[milo 2.0]

I'm all for buying the cool stuff myself, like the Redding 3 die set, but I think a bushing die in ar is a waste.
Here's my list, figure the x-die out and how to use it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/519159/rcbs-x-die-full-length-sizer-die-223-remington
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/376014/redding-seater-die-223-remington

If you need a micrometer seater, even though you're set on a bullet, and you really can't control seating depth, buy this.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/71...9083-223-remington-22-250-remington-220-swift

And rather than wasting a hole in your press with a body die, this right here will control your ES &SD more than anything. I'm assuming the Hornady L&L AP is a progressive press.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/726501/redding-taper-crimp-die-223-remington

 

[280nosler]

"Redding Match set with Competition seater, S neck bushing die and body die. Buy a .243" TiNi bushing, buy a .245" TiNi bushing and buy a .249"TiNi bushing, just in case you need to step down due to blown out necks."

All the cool kids are runnin' them.

Chris

I didn't think you thought I was cool.

To the OP, most will work, some will work well, but redding and Forster will provide you the best product.

 

[edkern]

Thanks guys, I got the Forster Ultra 2 Die set (micrometer seating die, and FL sizing die), and a Lee factory crimp die. I'm just cutting my teeth, so here is my plan with the things I have (or have already ordered):

1) Tumble in corn cob media in vibratory tumbler (possible SS wet tumbling a little ways down the road)
2) Size and deprime (on LNL progressive)
3) Clean/uniform primer pockets (while watching Game of Thrones, or It's Always Sunny)
4) Trim if needed (on L.E. Wilson SS micrometer case trimmer, deburr/chamfer w/ Lyman hand tools)
5) Dispense powder (with RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 powder scale/dispenser)
6) Seat and crimp (on LNL progressive)

Let me know if I'm missing anything super important, and/or what the next upgrade should be!

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Thanks guys, I got the Forster Ultra 2 Die set (micrometer seating die, and FL sizing die), and a Lee factory crimp die. I'm just cutting my teeth, so here is my plan with the things I have (or have already ordered):

1) Tumble in corn cob media in vibratory tumbler (possible SS wet tumbling a little ways down the road)
2) Size and deprime (on LNL progressive)
3) Clean/uniform primer pockets (while watching Game of Thrones, or It's Always Sunny)
4) Trim if needed (on L.E. Wilson SS micrometer case trimmer, deburr/chamfer w/ Lyman hand tools)
5) Dispense powder (with RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 powder scale/dispenser)
6) Seat and crimp (on LNL progressive)

Let me know if I'm missing anything super important, and/or what the next upgrade should be!

If you're not using Hornady's One Shot, you'll need to tumble the lube off. If you're using something like RCBS's CaseLube II, or Imperial Sizing Wax, you can wipe both off with a damp/dry cotton t-shirt and forego tumbling a second time.

Chris

 

[280nosler]

I use one shot on all my 223/5.56 reloads with good results. If you use a lube like dillon one shot, the easiest way to remove the lube is to line up the shells or loaded bullets on a towel and use a second towel to roll them against each other and the towels. IF you are using a heavier lube such as imperial sizing wax or lube pads, be sure to clean your dies more frequently.

 

[edkern]

Good catch guys. I'm thinking about using imperial wax. The only info I haven't been able to find is best way to remove the wax. Is tumbling in corn cob media for an hour or so good enough to get the wax off?