223 Die Set

[Hondo 60]

I've been reloading pistol for a while & and am thinking of reloadding 223.

Midway has 2 different die sets for sale & I don't know which one to get.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=434975

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=776391


One is a Lee "Deluxe 3-die set" and the other is called a "Pacesetter 3-die set"

thanks in advance for your help!

 

[DIM]

OK, Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set includes the exclusive Lee Factory Crimp Die, Full Length Sizer Die and Bullet Seater Die.
then Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die set includes a full length sizing die, collet neck sizing die and bullet seating die. Use the full length sizing die to produce ammunition to factory-new specifications using cases fired in other guns. The collet neck sizing die will allow you to produce ammunition that is fire-formed to the chamber of one rifle

so in the 1st one you get FL die seating die and crimp this is perfect if you reloading for semiautomatic type firearm, then the 2nd one has FL, Neck Sizer and seating which is perfect for bolt action.

I would recommend Reading dies set or Forester I know its more expensive then LEE but you will appreciate down the road...

 

[Walkalong]

The deluxe set has a full length sizer & a neck sizer (the collet die). The Pacesetter set only has a full length sizer. The Deluxe set does not have the FCD (a crimp die), which you may find handy. The Pacesetter set has the FCD crimp die.

All you need is the Pacesetter dies. If you go with Lee, that is what I would get. If in the future you want to plat with neck sizing, you can always pick up that die.

I own Redding and Forster .223 dies, and RCBS is another great choice, but the Lee dies will load good ammo for you if you do your part.

 

[ranger335v]

"...but the Lee dies will load good ammo for you if you do your part. "

Yep. And nothing will make good ammo if you don't do your part!

 

[loadedround]

Are you planning to load ammo for a semi-auto like an AR-15 or a Mini-14 or a bolt or single shot rifle? If you are loading for a semi-auto, you will be required to full length each fired case because of the looser tolerances of a semi-auto chamber. You will never need a neck size die for these rifles. However with a bolt or single shot rifle with tighter chambers, you may only need to neck size any case originally fired in that rifle. Neck sizing a case makes it almost a custom fit for that individual rifle for better accuracy and increased case life. Therefore buy the die set that meets your needs.

 

[Hondo 60]

Thanks for all the input. I'll be reloading for a semi-auto AR-15. So it sound like the Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set is the way to go

Thanks again!

 

[Idano]

Yurko,

Lee makes good dies, I use their pistol dies and few of their rifle dies, but if you are going to shoot your AR a lot and you don't like to trim your brass then I would highly recommend getting the RCBS X-dies. They are more then the Lee but they save your from trimming your brass because of their design the brass doesn't grow when resized. Just my 0.02 cents.