.223 in my 550B?

[Fire_Medic]

I want to venture out now and take my reloading from handgun to rifle. I would like to start reloading for my recently put together AR-15.

Which dies would you guys recommend to run in my Dillon 550B?

How do you measure head space to load for your rifle? This head space business has me somewhat confused?

What is the minimum of processing for the rifle brass I can get away with for target ammo?

Sorry for all the questions this just all seems a bit overwhelming, seems like there is so much more to load for the rifle than there is in loading for pistol?

[AdamN]

Any dies will be fine, something like a Dillon case gauge is real handy for setting the dies.

For the AR you will want to full length resize, trim if necessary, remove primer pocket crimp if necessary.
Then prime, powder, seat bullet, a touch of crimp if you like, but not really required.
And they should be ready to shoot....

[Fire_Medic]

Any dies will be fine, something like a Dillon case gauge is real handy for setting the dies.

For the AR you will want to full length resize, trim if necessary, remove primer pocket crimp if necessary.
Then prime, powder, seat bullet, a touch of crimp if you like, but not really required.
And they should be ready to shoot....

Thanks Adam. I was asking about the dies because I see so many people talking about so many different brand of dies for rifle loads.

Also what would the benefit be of the Carbide dies for the rifle loads, the Dillon "Carbide" .223 dies are 2X the $$ as the steel ones.

[AdamN]

No benifit to the carbide unless youre loading 100's of 1000's of rounds. The carbide rifle dies still require lube but the will hold up longer.
I cant imagine a single shooter/reloader wearing out the standard dies, its possible I guess....


I just use the Dillon regular dies, and the Dillon case gauge to set/check with.

If it fits the gauge it should be 100% in your gun.

[Fire_Medic]

No benifit to the carbide unless youre loading 100's of 1000's of rounds. The carbide rifle dies still require lube but the will hold up longer.
I cant imagine a single shooter/reloader wearing out the standard dies, its possible I guess....


I just use the Dillon regular dies, and the Dillon case gauge to set/check with.

If it fits the gauge it should be 100% in your gun.

Ok gotcha, thanks again.

[AdamN]

I run the cases thru the press twice for the 223, 1st time cleaned/lubed brass to size/deprime. If you get a Dillon trimmer you can trim on the press, if not then trim if necessary, and remove the primer crimp if needed; then I tumble again to remove any lube and it kinda cleans the primer pockets a bit. Doesent take long really....

You can prep brass to this point and have it ready to load up....

Then on the 2nd run thru the press I back off the size die a bit so no lube is required, but leave the expander/decapper sticking out enough to poke any media out of the flash hole.

And the expander will straighten out any dented necks from the tumbling.

After that prime, drop powder, seat bullet, crimp, and you have a loaded round....

[cohutt]

what adams sez is true

[MullahElRon]

I just use the Dillon regular dies, and the Dillon case gauge to set/check with.

If it fits the gauge it should be 100% in your gun.

Do yourself a favor and make sure they fall in an' out of your rifle(s)'s chamber before you go all handle yankin' crazy.

[Gashira]

I'd go with the RCBS X-Dies. I've mentioned them a few times in regards to that "what dies?" questions since (1) they work great and (2) I've never had a single problem. Don't bother with the small base version unless you've got something out of spec on your rifle.

And, as the other guys mentioned, be sure to use a gauge to check the finished product. I learned the hard way when I ended up having to pull ~100 rounds of 223. PITA.