Which 5.56 dies and why?

[pretzelxx]

Looking to pick up some dies for an AR15 with a NATO barrel. I want some info which you think are the best for that setup. And do I need just two to get the job done?

On a side note, I have some extra steel mags I acquired. 30 round type, 35 or so. If anyone has spare dies, maybe we could do a trade!

[pretzelxx]

Hmm, more research to be had!

[MaryB]

Lee dies should be fine. .223/5.56 are physically the same size when loaded, it is the chambers of the guns that are slightly different.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Looking to pick up some dies for an AR15 with a NATO barrel. I want some info which you think are the best for that setup. And do I need just two to get the job done?

On a side note, I have some extra steel mags I acquired. 30 round type, 35 or so. If anyone has spare dies, maybe we could do a trade!

Before I can give you my best answer, I'd like to know what reloading press you are going to use and if you have purchased the press yet. The reason why relates to processing methods, time and the end product.

[pretzelxx]

I've got the LnL classic single stage.

[USAFrox]

RCBS makes a specific die set that is made for AR's. They call it their AR-Series dies. They make them in .223/5.56 and also make ones for .308 AR's (AR-10 type). They are kind of between a FL and a SB die, to ensure reliable feeding time after time in a semi-auto chamber, without being a real SB die which may shorten the life of your cases.

Personally, I have the RCBS X-die, which I use for my AR, because I HATE resizing cases. The X-die is supposed to eliminate that. Those two sets would be my suggestion.

[pretzelxx]

Thanks, I will look into both!

[bhn22]

Hornady sizing dies are small-base, and when you couple this with their floating bullet seater, puts Hornady at the top of the heap for semi-autos. Equally as good IME are Redding dies, although they do not use the floating seater. If you're going to shoot any real volume in the gun, resign yourself to needing a case trimmer. If RCBS "X" dies were a great advantage, more companies would be offering similar designs. Look how fast the bushing dies caught on. Does your rifle have a 5.56 chamber, a 223 chamber, or one of the hybrids? Many of the barrels marked 5.56 are actually .223, and this will make a difference with your loading data. Standard 223 load data is safe in all versions properly worked up, but be very careful when experimenting with 5.56 loads, they're too hot for 223 chambers. The guns I had came chambered in civilian .223, and I had the throats opened up to 5.56.

[Doc Highwall]

I use the Redding FL Bushing dies that way I can size the case for the headspace and use the correct size bushing to control the neck tension without overworking the case necks.

[btroj]

I use the same does as Doc Higwall. I found they produced excellent 600 yard ammo.

[pretzelxx]

It's a true 556 chamber, thanks for the info!

[Larry Gibson]

pretzelxx

The standard RCBS X die is my recommendation for your AR15 with a NATO barrel. With the X die you will not have to trim the cases. even though the directions say to initially trim you don't need to. I've set my X die with headspace for the max case headspace and the mandrel stop at the max length of my case gauge. I've gauged a bajillion cases and they all come out to spec. I've fired my cases in my own 3 ARs and in others with no problems. Cases sized in the X die are as accurate in the ARs, even my Colt Match Competition AR, as those sized with a Bonanza Benchrest or Redding bushing dies with the long seated 69 & 75 gr match bullets for 600 yard slow fire shooting.

Not having to trim cases safes a lot of time and tedious case prep.

Case life is increased 3 - 4 times.

The small base (SB) or the "AR" dies are not needed with your chamber.

Larry Gibson

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

You'll quickly find that your AR eats ammo at a much faster rate than a single stage can feed it. But it's a good place to start reloading and refine your reloading technique to give you the best, most accurate ammunition you can build for your AR.

Larry gives you some good advice for reloading in your single stage press. I'll add to it by saying buy the X-die to save trimming and then buy a Forster (not a Redding) Benchrest seating die, their best seating die. Buy a case gauge and follow Larry's advice to: "set you X die (full length resizer) with headspace (set) for the max case headspace and the mandrel stop at the max length of my case gauge."

Adding the Forster premium seating die to the X-die gives you the best possible seating (runout, etc.) and allows you to precisely control the seating depth. Between the two, you'll get cases that fit, feed and are accurate in your AR rifles along with a minimum amount of case prep. And with a single stage feeding an AR, you'll have more reloading work than you wish for in the first place.

Why the Forster and not the Redding? 1. Doesn't leave a mark on your bullets like the Redding does. 2. Bigger, easier to read and adjust micrometer scale/knob. 3. Less delicate and Forster doesn't have a problem with you reloading compressed loads in your cartridges and loading them with your Forster seating die. Redding does and doesn't warranty it when it breaks and they do break reloading compressed loads.

Why compressed loads? Ask the serious High Power shooter teams who are loading up 77 grain bthp's for the six hundred yard line. Gives you the most oomph and accuracy at that range in your AR's and still fits in your magazine.

Hope this helps,

[wv109323]

I would stay away from Lyman dies for the .223 based on my experience. The "nut" that locks the decapping pin/neck sizing button in place is small in diameter and short. This allows the decapping pin to work loose and you soon will bend/break the decapping pin when it becomes off center and hits the base of the case. I finally bent the decapping stem. I bought a replacement stem and used the "nut" from my RCBS .222 dies to keep it tight. My experience and it is worth what you paid.

[pretzelxx]

I deprime my rounds before clean, it's a universal die. I don't have a lot of rounds to reload, so 250 in a day is plenty for me and a coupe hours doing it is fun. I'll get more than one press later, but for now I'm satisfied loading everything single stage so I can get the load data perfect and not get ahead of myself and get hurt. Slow is smooth smooth is fast.

[Firebricker]

I like the Redding standard FL die with the carbide floating expander ball you can buy for it. I also have a Hornady set and I use their seating die and if I am going to crimp I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die. You have to consider what you loads are used for also. Since mine are not for competition or real long distance I like my set up.

If I was shooting 600yds in competition I would want to switch to a bushing die like mentioned above. My AR is not really going to benefit from match grade ammo. I have not tried an x-die but may wind up getting one because trimming is a pain even if your set up good for it. FB

[pretzelxx]

I'll probably go for the xdie, but not the high speed Forster. A little too rich for my blood.

[Duckiller]

I use RCBS small base dies and have had no feeding problems. When I bought my dies I was told that regular dies could cause feeding problem. Don't know if that is true or not just what I was told.

[zuke]

I've loaded 1000's of rds for an AR,Galil, and now my BRNO with a plain set of LEE die's.
I can do 5 out of 5 into a dime at 100 yds with the BRNO.When I do my part.

[Larry Gibson]

I use RCBS small base dies and have had no feeding problems. When I bought my dies I was told that regular dies could cause feeding problem. Don't know if that is true or not just what I was told.

That is an old adage that may have been somewhat correct with the 1st lever actions and semi auto's of commercial nature that had tighter chambers than military spec. Have to say in 40+ years of reloading many different cartridges for many different guns including for those that supposedly "need" small base dies I have never needed to use them; standard dies always worked.

With mil spec chambers a small base die is not needed. The use of such simply over works the case causing shorter case life and increasing the need for trimming.

That's the benefit of the standard X-Die; it increases case life by negating case stretch during sizing and no trimming is needed.

Larry Gibson

[Ubet]

I use RCBS small base sizing die for .223. This is what I was directed to over 30 years ago, and it has always worked for me in a variety of .223 semi-automatic rifles.

[Del-Ray]

The RCBS small base die will work. No problem, the issue is it will result in reduced case life. If you have a tight chamber, then a small base die may be required. However, with the vast majority of AR's being wylde cut chambers, or even the true NATO. Using one is over kill. I started with the regular RCBS dies, then switched to Dillon for my 650, then switched out the sizer for the X-die. I've never looked back. I imagine other companies haven't produced x-dies because of patent issues maybe?

[A pause for the COZ]

I have a variety of 223 dies. I have a LEE set, a Lyman set and a RCBS Small Base sizer.
I use them as a mixed bag too.

I size with the RCBS
Check with a Lyman case gage.
Open the case mouth with a Lyman M die.
Charge with a LEE Universal
Seat with the Lyman seating die.
Crimp with LEE Factory crimp die.

Thats for cast Boolits I dont buy Jacket any thing any more.

[Shiloh]

Acquired many over the years. I have LEE, RCBS, Dillon and Lyman. All work just fine.
One of the RCBS dies was stuck withe a shell. Ruined the decapper/expander taking it apart. A machinist cut the stuck brass real thin so he could curl the rest of it out with a needle nose pliers. RCBS sent me parts for free. Wouldn't even let me pay for shipping.

Shiloh

[pretzelxx]

I've heard fantastic news about rcbs customer service. I think I'll order that up next month after I buy my mould. Thank you all for the input, its very helpful!