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Posted: 1/11/2013 4:58:47 PM EDT
| I posted here since the "ammunition" part of the forum said "commerically available.". Anyway, I just bought some Hornady 75g BTHP bullets to load for an 18" 1/8 AR15. I don't have dies yet so I was wondering what would be best. I know that the cases have to be full length sized when loading for a semi-auto. I considered just getting the LEE .233 Deluxe three die set for starters. I don't mind using three or four dies instead of two if it will help accuracy. I probably won't spend $100 on a single seat die though. Any advice? |
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A two die set will suffice, but an extra crimp die is good if a crimp step at the end is desired.
Every die maker in the US makes great dies. The aluminum lock rings and so on of LEE dies put me off a little, but there's dispute that they work. After you get some experience you might decide you want Redding or Forster or other make dies for a feature they offer, but you might not ever switch depending on your needs. The results of a poll here a few years back showed that LEE dies were overall the most popular, which surprised me. The results are posted up in the Resources. |
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You didnt say what type press you are loading on so I'm assuming you are loading on a single stage press or some type of nonprogressive.
Personally I'd recommend you get a set of RCBS small base dies if your going to be loading for just an autoloader. Lee make some pretty good stuff, I actually own one of thier 4 hole Turret presses that I use 90% of the time and I also own several of thier pistol dies. I have not really had that much luck with thier rifle dies though. I constanly had issues with OAL variences. Buying the 3 dies set unless you are going to be loading for a bolt gun will be a waste simply because you will not ever use the Neck Sizing die. Also you CAN use standard .223rem dies to load for ARs, Small base dies are rocommended due to varing camber sizes from rifle to rifle, some are tighter than others. I use standard dies right now and have not had any issues with feeding in 3 different ARs, but the next set I buy will be SB. |
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You need to do some reading at the top of the page. One of the first posts up in FAQ's is.... Please do some research, so you don't ask questions that get asked over and over.
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