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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
lee full length sizer in .223 question
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<blockquote data-quote="Bullet bumper" data-source="post: 904983" data-attributes="member: 17844"><p>Redding dies are very good . What you buy depends on how you want to reload. Some just can't abide by any complication and want the proess as quick as possible so they tend to use a Full length size dies or bushing type full length dies . For an auto there is some merit in that approach as ammo batch's may be larger than for a bolt action.</p><p>Then you could seperate the neck sizing and the body sizing into two steps. </p><p>This gives some advantages over the single die approach .</p><p>The two dies could be a Lee collet neck size die and a Redding body die.</p><p>However you could also use any neck size only die with the Body die .</p><p>When sizing with the body die far less leverage and hand pressure is required as there is no neck size going on . Smaller lighter press can be used .</p><p>Portable press can be used in the field . </p><p>Also because no neck stretching occurs as is the case with the full length die that does the whole job in one pass , it is far easier to size by very fractional ammounts with no need to over size to strech back to correct size as is the case with the one pass die . The effect varies with case design , case hardness at the neck and shoulder but it is there and most dies have to go too far in order to get the case right .</p><p>This does not happen with a body die to any measurable degree .</p><p>I invented my first body die back in the late 60's as a cure for loaded Military ammo that would not fit well into bolt action rifles . From there I discovered it's other benifits in normal loading . </p><p>Now for an Auto you don't want tight fitting cases like a bolt action can handle so the sizing operation needs to result in an easy chambering fit .</p><p>The body die can do both with better precision , tight fit for bolt or losser fit for auto , it's all in the skill of the operator but much easier to master .</p><p>I used to load for autos years ago but the Government took my auto rifles off me .</p><p>If you are using a five station progressive press then you have to decide if you want less operations or more . Some people like to use the full length dies on a progressive to cut down on opeartions . </p><p>Body dies and collet dies will still work on a progressive but it will take up an extra die space. However the sizing force required will be far less for the body die but the Lee collet will not size as well as it would on a single station press Like an RCBS that goes over centre .</p><p>When I weigh it all up in a progressive press loading the small 223 case for an AR I would tend to go with the Redding national match die set as you get a taper crimp die also . The main problem that people can strike is tight chambers in an AR type rifle. If it's got a standard Military chamber then 90% chance it's on the large side . If it's a custom barrel with a match chamber then it's possible it's tight . So if the sizer you get will not size them down for an easy fit then you have to buy a Redding small base full length sizer die instead , same deal with a body die. You need to do some thinking and planing first to get an idea of what will suit you before you drop any cash. </p><p>I don't know that a progressive is the best way to start reloading for a beginner as they take more skill to set up well . However Americans seem very comfortable with them so maybe no big deal.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bullet bumper, post: 904983, member: 17844"] Redding dies are very good . What you buy depends on how you want to reload. Some just can't abide by any complication and want the proess as quick as possible so they tend to use a Full length size dies or bushing type full length dies . For an auto there is some merit in that approach as ammo batch's may be larger than for a bolt action. Then you could seperate the neck sizing and the body sizing into two steps. This gives some advantages over the single die approach . The two dies could be a Lee collet neck size die and a Redding body die. However you could also use any neck size only die with the Body die . When sizing with the body die far less leverage and hand pressure is required as there is no neck size going on . Smaller lighter press can be used . Portable press can be used in the field . Also because no neck stretching occurs as is the case with the full length die that does the whole job in one pass , it is far easier to size by very fractional ammounts with no need to over size to strech back to correct size as is the case with the one pass die . The effect varies with case design , case hardness at the neck and shoulder but it is there and most dies have to go too far in order to get the case right . This does not happen with a body die to any measurable degree . I invented my first body die back in the late 60's as a cure for loaded Military ammo that would not fit well into bolt action rifles . From there I discovered it's other benifits in normal loading . Now for an Auto you don't want tight fitting cases like a bolt action can handle so the sizing operation needs to result in an easy chambering fit . The body die can do both with better precision , tight fit for bolt or losser fit for auto , it's all in the skill of the operator but much easier to master . I used to load for autos years ago but the Government took my auto rifles off me . If you are using a five station progressive press then you have to decide if you want less operations or more . Some people like to use the full length dies on a progressive to cut down on opeartions . Body dies and collet dies will still work on a progressive but it will take up an extra die space. However the sizing force required will be far less for the body die but the Lee collet will not size as well as it would on a single station press Like an RCBS that goes over centre . When I weigh it all up in a progressive press loading the small 223 case for an AR I would tend to go with the Redding national match die set as you get a taper crimp die also . The main problem that people can strike is tight chambers in an AR type rifle. If it's got a standard Military chamber then 90% chance it's on the large side . If it's a custom barrel with a match chamber then it's possible it's tight . So if the sizer you get will not size them down for an easy fit then you have to buy a Redding small base full length sizer die instead , same deal with a body die. You need to do some thinking and planing first to get an idea of what will suit you before you drop any cash. I don't know that a progressive is the best way to start reloading for a beginner as they take more skill to set up well . However Americans seem very comfortable with them so maybe no big deal. [/QUOTE]
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