Lee Collet vs. RCBS X-Sizer

[Joejojoba111]

I've got everything lined up, the cartridges, bullets, primers, lee anniversary set (hey I'm cheap, whatchagonnado) all that. If I need to trim a case I can get that done too.

But a couple things bug me... I really have the urge to buy the $9 plain old .223 dies, but these other fancier ones sound very appealing. Normally I can pass up appealing for cheap, but they sound like they even save money in the long run.

Secondly, is there any need for a crimping die? This will be my first batch reloading, so it's all pretty new.


RCBS X-Sizer Die
"X-Sizer Dies reduce the total number of reloading operations by limiting the growth of the overall case length of each cartridge."
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ...alog/item-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=search&hasJS=true

Lee Collet Dies
" A collet squeezes the case neck against a precision mandrel for a perfect bullet fit with minimum run-out. No case lube is needed. Cases last ten times longer,"
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ...alog/item-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=search&hasJS=true

Lee Deluxe Rifle Sizing Die Set
" The Lee Deluxe Rifle Sizing Die Set offers the choice of neck sizing or full-length sizing in one amazingly affordable die set. It includes Lee's Collet neck sizing die and a full-length sizing die, bullet seating die, shell holder and powder dipper. No lubrication required."
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ...alog/item-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=search&hasJS=true

 

[1911 guy]

Auto loader or not?

If your loading for a semi-automatic, yes, crimp them. If not, flip a coin, you'll get the same result as asking around, everyone has a pet theory.
Same with the dies. For autoloaders, full length size every time, you may want to FL size for varmint hunting, also as this will guarantee chambering. Neck sizing can have some pretty good accuracy benefits, though.

 

[moredes]

What I wrote at this post (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=142960) applies to your question, too, so rather than cut and paste, I'll just reference the link.

There are a couple things you've left out--what're you shooting, and why? If you're shooting a bolt gun for accuracy, I'd skip the X-die and crimping. X-dies were meant to relieve the reloader of the trimming chore when overall case length isn't critical; by their nature, auto-loaders shoot less accurately anyway, and consistent case length (within limits) isn't that much of a factor in that inherent accuracy. Crimping is also necessary for auto-loaders, but certainly not a requirement for bolt guns.

If you're shooting an AR, I'd X-die, FL resize, and crimp. If you're shooting a Rem 700 in .223 for group sizes, I'd neck size and trim every time. Sort your brass by the rifle that shoots it; if you're gonna recycle your ammo through several rifles indiscriminately, full-length resize the brass.

The X-die won't "save money in the long run". It'll save you time; you can skip trimming for the life of the case if you've X-die'd first.

 

[Joejojoba111]

Roger, yes it's for ar-15 target shooting.

Excellent thread, too, btw. Sneaky title thogh, got through the search.

So I only find one crimping die at Cabelas, and I have to choose between it and the x-sizer? It seems that there is going to be a lot of redundancy, 1 bullet-seater die and a whole bunch of sizers.

Or is there some way to crimp with the x-sizer?

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ...mp&noImage=0&returnPage=search-results1.jhtml

Thanks!

 

[steve4102]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=456506

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=434975

The Lee Factory Crimp Die is used to crimp only after the round is done and loaded. It is an extra step to complete the crimped round but it is well worth it. The LFCD will crimp bullets with or without cannelures and the case length is not as critical as a setter die roll crimp. No matter what brand of die you chose the Lee FCD is a great deal, less than 10 bucks and works great. Here is some interesting reading on accuracy tests using the LFCD.

http://www.accuratereloading.com/crimping.html

 

[moredes]

I second what Steve says about the Lee crimping die. There are a lot of other more expensive dies out there, but none will do a better job of crimping than the Lee. A crimp is a crimp is a crimp. Or, almost. It's kind of like buying a ruler (that's made in USA)--you can spend $3 for a stainless steel no-name, or $6 for the Stanley brand. You'll still get the same results.

By the way, your question reveals an ignorance about the use of the RCBS X-die--it's for resizing the brass case; you can't crimp bullets in a resizer--the tasks are about 2-3 steps apart, depending on your press or methodology. You'll understand it when you see the two dies next to each other.

 

[Joejojoba111]

I thought this statement revealed my ignorance though:

"This will be my first batch reloading, so it's all pretty new."



But yea, that Pacesetter looks like the set then, thanks a million!

BWT just fyi, I'm not crazy, yea .223 isn't the most cost-effective cartridge to load oneself, but I got to start somewhere!

 

[Steve in PA]

I've been using the x-die for over two years in reloading .30/06 for my M1 Garand, works great. I also don't crimp my rounds, no problems and excellent accuracy.

Crimp or no crimp, you'll have to find out which works for you.