.223 Remington Wylde chamber questions

[Firearmsunlimited]

I am surprised that with the large sales of AR-15s with a Wylde chamber that no one has begun manufacturing reloading dies. Since there are no specific dies available can anyone offer insight into setting up and using 223 Remington dies to reload for a Wylde chamber other than the typical reloading methods for .223 Remington. I'm currently using a Wilson bushing type full length sizing and a Wilson micrometer top seater.

 

[grovey]

I don't believe there's a difference in dies. Pretty sure the difference is in the lead and freebore.

 

[LVLAaron]

I don't believe there's a difference in dies. Pretty sure the difference is in the lead and freebore.

Yup. Use a standard 223 die.

 

[mac86951]

There you go, set up standard 223 dies and go for it. The leade angle may be different depending on which 223 chamber, the throat is longer, which allows advantage with 80+ gr weight barrel twist dependent.

 

[Firearmsunlimited]

I don't believe there's a difference in dies. Pretty sure the difference is in the lead and freebore.

That isn't what Wilson had to say following review of the SAAMI chamber drawings.

 

[mac86951]

That isn't what Wilson had to say following review of the SAAMI chamber drawings.

Ahh, ok. Well, I see you're using some wilson dies too, so you're all set right?

I think the rest of us are trying to say that 223 dies will work just fine; and doubtful you'll see any accuracy it functional differences when loading your AR, but we don't have the dimensions of your chamber, so this is a loose recommendation to say the least. As for 233 Wylde dies vs 223 standard; I think you'll need to look at the 223 Wylde, 223, and 5.56 chamber reamers to understand. Again a loose recommendation, maybe you need some 5.56x45 dies instead? I'm curious to see what Wilson actually said for chamber differences and how it applies to reloading dies.

-Mac

 

[243winxb]

That isn't what Wilson had to say following review of the SAAMI chamber drawings.

So, whats the difference? Always willing to learn.

I did notice that the Colt headspace gauge is different then standard. Longer head to datum if i remember correctly?

Many different reamers also.

 

[lawman29]

I am surprised that with the large sales of AR-15s with a Wylde chamber that no one has begun manufacturing reloading dies

Then you should be even more surprised that there are no specific 5.56 dies (tens of millions more 5.56 chambers than wylde)...they are the all the same die. As previously stated by others the cartridge dimension is the same for .223 and 5.56, however the chambers are different. Generally if you went from small to big or tight to loose, it would be something like this: .223 match; .223, wylde and lastly 5.56. Although the 5.56 chambers allows higher pressure, more importantly the looser fit provides a malfunction safeguard. Having an issue shooting during competition or while calling a coyote is one thing - quite different when a horde of zombies is charging... BIll Wylde designed the changes in an attempt to improve accuracy for competitions and still allow for higher pressures in the AR platform.

So let's think about this...Say you want a custom die, so you shoot a couple rounds and send them in. Now what? Do you want a die that doesn't size as much as a standard 223? Now your case is "tighter" in the chamber? Do you want a "crush fit" on the shoulder...no bolt to cam over...maybe get a custom "forward assist" to help ram it in...

 

[RegionRat]

I'm sure it is just a misunderstanding. Regular dies work just fine.

The vast majority of Service Rifle competition rigs are a version of a Wylde from WOA or CLE for example, and the dies we use are normal.

 

[PRR1957]

So, whats the difference? Always willing to learn.

I did notice that the Colt headspace gauge is different then standard. Longer head to datum if i remember correctly?

Many different reamers also. View attachment 1206888View attachment 1206889

I have that same chart, and in a way it can cause some confusion. Apparently SAAMI is to some is more of a suggestion then gospel.

 

[jelenko]

My understanding of SAAMI specs is they 'ensure' the cartridges are safe to fire in the chambers they are designed for. Any deviations from SAAMI are the responsibility of the gunsmith and the user.

 

[Bill K]

I don't believe there's a difference in dies. Pretty sure the difference is in the lead and freebore.

Exactly what Groovy said. But if it is for a AR chamber, then get the small base sizing die.

 

[Tempest]

Ditto. I use standard dies to use a 80 SMK.

 

[Uncle Ed]

If you look at the chamber reamer chart posted above you will see the Wylde throat diameter is .002 to .003 smaller than a 5.56 AR throat diameter and the wylde throat is longer. This aids accuracy and allows you to shoot higher pressure military M885 and keep the chamber pressure within normal limits.

Meaning the bullet is better aligned and centered in the Wyldes tighter throat aiding in better accuracy. And all that is needed are *standard .223 dies or small base dies depending on brass spring back.

*NOTE, in sem-autos the resized case body should be .003 to .005 smaller in diameter than its fired diameter. This allows the case to spring back from the chamber walls and extract reliably.

Chambers and dies vary in size, and I have a standard Lee .223 full length die that reduces the case body diameter more than my RCBS small base die. And dies have a plus and minus manufacturing tolerances so nothing is written in stone.

Below just some of the .223/5.56 dies I have and its up to you to adjust your die for the proper amount of sizing and shoulder bump. I have two AR15 rifles and two .223 bolt actions and my Savage .223 with a 1in9 twist has a longer throat than my AR15 rifles.

Below a Colt 5.56 FIELD gauge at 1.4736

Below the same Colt FIELD gauge in my adjusted Hornady gauge.

Below a "FIRED" case from my AR15 in my Hornady gauge at 1.4675. I then set my die up for .003 shoulder bump. And a standard .223 NO-GO gauge is 1.4670 and a military NO-GO gauge is 1.4706

 

[mac86951]

I'm awaiting OPs reply, great data and yet more reason I love this forum. I've been happy using Forster dies with my WOA chamber and if I watch concentricity carefully, 200y groups are 1/2" with 77Sierras. (powder and primer are a secret). Stretched to 600y, this load performs far better than my wind reading abilities but F-class scoring was a 392. I was bested by another AR using 77 Berger's with a 396.