Loading the .223

[kbstenberg]

A question for the experianced .223 loaders
When you load cast bullets in the .223. Do you allso use the Type M die to expand the case necks for easier bullet seating?
Kevin

[shooting on a shoestring]

I don't. I use RCBS dies and flare the case mouths slightly with my .243 sizer die. Works great.

The Lyman M die would also be a good solution.

[deltaenterprizes]

I don't. I use RCBS dies and flare the case mouths slightly with my .243 sizer die.

Explain please.

Do you mean you use the expander button?

[shooting on a shoestring]

Yes. I de-prime, neck size, expand with .223 expander button. Then change the die to my .243 expander and run the die up until the .223 case just starts up the .243 button when the press is at the top of the stroke. It flares the mouth just right.

[MT Gianni]

Yes I use the m die.

[x101airborne]

For 223, and 223 only, I just use a heavy hand on an inside chamfer tool. Gives about a 30 degree case mouth and works well for me.

[kbstenberg]

Thank you all for your sug. Now i don't have to buy another expander. I'LL just use one of my unused dies.
Thanks again Kevin

[Moonie]

I use the Lee universal case mouth expande

[Doc Highwall]

kbstenberg, the Lyman M-Die and the RCBS dies not only put the flair on the case mouth but also open up the rest of the neck I.D. so the bullet will not get re-sized down from too much of a press fit. All cast bullets need an larger expander because you are shooting a larger diameter bullet then a jacketed bullet. I am shooting a 308 Win. with .310" diameter bullets and my expander is .309". with my 30-30 Win. I am shooting .311" bullets and I have a .310" expander. Your expander size should only be .001" to .002" smaller max, then your bullet size that you are shooting.

[Larry Gibson]

Yes, I use the M Die. I use it for most every cartridge I load with cast bullets and also a couple (22 Hornet & 25-20) that i load with J bullets.

Larry Gibson

[AZ-Stew]

The Lyman M-die also puts a "step" in the case mouth that forces the boolit to start coaxially with the case when seating. A bell, or trumpet-shape expansion of the case mouth allows the boolit to sit at an angle with respect to the case axis prior to seating.

The M-dies aren't that expensive and they're well worth their price.

Regards,

Stew

[MT Gianni]

All you need are two dies and M1 & an M2 and the buttons for calibers.

[clodhopper]

In a pinch for most any caliber you can bell the case mouth with a center punch,
Don't use the press, hold the punch in one hand and the case in the other.
This is not real uniform from case to case.

[340six]

Yes. I de-prime, neck size, expand with .223 expander button.
I do that with the RCBS 2 die set I have but also have an old .223 lyman 3 die set that is just like a 3 die pistol set that bell's the neck in the second die of the set so you can adjust how much you do it