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Posted: 11/8/2008 6:37:25 PM EDT
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I have decided to start reloading for my bushmaster ar-15. Any suggestions on reloading for it such as dies, bullets, powder all I will be reloading for is target shooting on the farm. Havent done much rifle loading mostly all pistols. Just need a lil help to get started.
Thanks Joey |
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not exactly the same since there's case lubing and triming and sometimes primer pocket decrmping to deal wtih, but all the other steps are the same
If you reload for pistols you can reload for rifles. It is exactly the same with different dies. I lube almost everything when reloading - rifle and pistol - and pistol cases have to be trimmed also, especially multiple reload for wheel guns. |
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right I usually use lee dies for all of my pistols but when I looked into buying some from Midway there are several different types and Im not sure which ones to purchase. Not sure exactly the die name but my Lee .223 dies are p/n #90502. I get them for $25 at a local shop. It includes the sizer/ decapper die, bullet seat die, Lee crimp die, powder measure and the shell plate. Its the flat red box w/ clear lid. A very good value IMO. I also use the Lee auto prime, very easy, quick and accurate. Just the thing to prime 1000s of cases during football games. EDIT: Lee Pacesetter dies: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=434975&t=11082005 |
| I don't have any direct experience with Lee (all my stuff is RCBS) but you don't always have to crimp. It's nice to have a crimp die though because sooner or later you will need to use it. If you reload with a standard die and notice that the bullet isn't secure (i.e - you can easily pull it out or push it in with your hands) then you need to crimp. |
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IMHO.......for an AR (or any semi auto rifle)......just get whatever major brand (RCBS, Redding, Hornady, LEE, etc,,,,) of F/L sizer two die set.
Use a gauge to check your re-sized brass. http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=REMTHT&type=store If you still run into trouble with your re-sized brass, consider a SB re-sizer die. BTW........most all the major brands (I can't say all, cause I don't own all the brands) when adjusted correctly, will give you: no crimp, a little crimp or a little more crimp. That's good enough for ME anyway. Jeez......it's not like the world wasn't turning before the LEE FCD was "invented"/marketed. IF you want the LEE FCD then just pony up alittle more $ and get it. Or just start by buying the LEE three die set, which includes it. Simple as that. You won't be making a major mistake by buying any of the major brands. YMWV........as there is always someone with a horror story. Aloha, Mark PS.............here is the line up of LEE rifle die sets.......... http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1226206525.3862=/html/catalog/dies-rifle.html |
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IMHO.......for an AR (or any semi auto rifle)......just get whatever major brand (RCBS, Redding, Hornady, LEE, etc,,,,) of F/L sizer two die set. Use a gauge to check your re-sized brass. http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=REMTHT&type=store If you still run into trouble with your re-sized brass, consider a SB re-sizer die. BTW........most all the major brands (I can't say all, cause I don't own all the brands) when adjusted correctly, will give you: no crimp, a little crimp or a little more crimp. That's good enough for ME anyway. Jeez......it's not like the world wasn't turning before the LEE FCD was "invented"/marketed. IF you want the LEE FCD then just pony up alittle more $ and get it. Or just start by buying the LEE three die set, which includes it. Simple as that. You won't be making a major mistake by buying any of the major brands. YMWV........as there is always someone with a horror story. Aloha, Mark PS.............here is the line up of LEE rifle die sets.......... http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1226206525.3862=/html/catalog/dies-rifle.html Speaking from experiance dont get the full length die in .223 get the RCBS Small Base Die from the start and save your self some money. Also get the Lee Factory Crimp Die, this will save you time and headaches when crimping your new loads. After those two things read your manuals, I have started using caliber load books, specific to the caliber I am loading they are full of good information but are only a referrence, a speer or lyman manual is also needed to cross reference each load for compairison. For example I started using Benchmark for my .223 loads and when I initially started using it I only found one published load using this powder. After Contacting Hodgon I received several other recommended loads using this powder with good success. One other note if you have the money get a cronograph, it really opens your eyes up when developing loads in any caliber. |
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Yes collet and crimping dies. I am looking at Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die Set 223 Remington. Any of you have any info on them will I be good with them or what? Get this set or a two die set from Redding or Forster. No small base dies, they aren't needed. The reason reloaders have headspace problems with regular sizers is failure to set the die correctly and use of lube inside the case mouth to ease the expander ball through when withdrawing. Lack of lube inside the case mouth allows the expander ball to stretch the case shoulder upon withdrawal. |
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Yes collet and crimping dies. I am looking at Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die Set 223 Remington. Any of you have any info on them will I be good with them or what? Get this set or a two die set from Redding or Forster. No small base dies, they aren't needed. The reason reloaders have headspace problems with regular sizers is failure to set the die correctly and use of lube inside the case mouth to ease the expander ball through when withdrawing. Lack of lube inside the case mouth allows the expander ball to stretch the case shoulder upon withdrawal. Sir, FWIW our Mod has given you some excellent advise, I second it. When I first started reloading bottleneck rifle cartridges I didn't appreciate some of the finer points such as lubing the inside of the case necks and why. Also, a need for trimming straight wall pistol cartridge cases is unusual. I simply have never noticed a need to do so regardless if I'm reloading for a wheel gun or semi auto pistol. In my humble opinion the Redding Competition seating die in combination with their standard FL resizing die fitted with a carbide expander ball is the best choice for .223 Rem. Forester makes equivalent die sets I believe they call their micrometer seating die an Ultra or similar language. AFAIK they don't offer the carbide expander ball feature with their sizing die. Regardless you will need to lube the inside of the case necks when sizing with dies that use expander balls but be sure to remove the lube before seating a bullet. In my experience reloaders that believe they need a small base die for the .223 Rem. cartridge have fallen to the misinterpretation our mod has pointed out. Some investigation of the various collet type dies may be useful for your purposes to obviate a need for crimping. Crimping is done by the military to ensure the cartridge is watertight same for sealing the primers. Most of us target shooters have no such concern so the only argument for or against crimping is as it relates to cartridge uniformity. IMHO sizing the cartridge case neck to a uniform diameter as it relates to the bullet diameter is a much more effective means of ensuring optimum case neck tension. Many reloaders only trim a cartridge case when it exceeds the max. dimension for that cartridge. Since many trim to the minimum length and don't trim again until the case length again exceeds the maximum the actual case length from case to case becomes a variable. This variable then introduces a variation in the amount of crimp. Sinclair Int. sells case neck expander mandrels, I use them for all my match rifle ammo. HTH, 7zero1. |
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