Which 5.56 Reloading Dies

[treillw]

Any suggestions on reloading dies for the 5.56?

Not sure if I want to set them up in a progressive press or single stage press.

I definitely want to load some bulk rounds (few thousand) but wouldn't mind tuning some up to try to get half minute out of the gun. My barrels are very good and should be capable of it.

RCBS small base dies seem good, but probably hard to fine tune with.

Looks like Redding makes some with micrometers.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Go with the rcbs small base dies for an AR. They are simple enough for any fine tuning needed

 

[Jon D]

Forster makes a good sizing die that works fine for Wylde and 5.56 chambers. The carbide button in those works well and helps keep the cases straight. If you want to use random range pick up brass and /or a tighter match chamber a small base die may be needed, but not usually. As for seating dies, I'd say start with a standard die. Redding makes a good one, but they are all about the same. The match type sliding sleeve dies with a micrometer are all designed for non-compressed loads. A whole lot of mag length are loads are compressed. Using one of those to compress powder is pretty much equivalent to using a micrometer as a c-clamp. If you can avoid compressed loads, match type seating dies usually give less runout.

 

[Big Mc]

Any suggestions on reloading dies for the 5.56?

Not sure if I want to set them up in a progressive press or single stage press.

I definitely want to load some bulk rounds (few thousand) but wouldn't mind tuning some up to try to get half minute out of the gun. My barrels are very good and should be capable of it.

RCBS small base dies seem good, but probably hard to fine tune with.

Looks like Redding makes some with micrometers.

Any suggestions on reloading dies for the 5.56?

Not sure if I want to set them up in a progressive press or single stage press.

I definitely want to load some bulk rounds (few thousand) but wouldn't mind tuning some up to try to get half minute out of the gun. My barrels are very good and should be capable of it.

RCBS small base dies seem good, but probably hard to fine tune with.

Looks like Redding makes some with micrometers.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

What Dusty said. Tommy Mc

 

[243winxb]

223/5.56 Range brass needs small base die. RCBS die set for AR taper crimps, if you think crimping is needed. Its not. https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=223+RCBS+AR+Series+Small+Base+2-Die+Set+with+Taper+Crimp

Case life will be longer & easier to size using a Redding type S Fl sizing bushing die. Standard fl dies, over work the necks, making it near impossible to pull the expander out of the lubed necks, of some brands of brass.

I neck turn & size using a standard RCBS 223 fl die.

 

[treillw]

Is it worth having a third die for crimping or the RCBS small base dies handle it?

Don't really know how much of a crimp is required for rapid blasting 5.56

 

[treillw]

Should I use the same die setup for 300 blackout?

 

[tsyarnall]

If you are simply wanting to make “plinking” ammo and load some for predator hunting, I would purchase a good set of Lee dies. They will produce good ammo and you can save a buck or two.

 

[6bra1k]

wow and i have shot 20 plus years with ars and NOT USED A SMALL BASE DIE.
BRASS FROM ONE RIFLE RELOADED FOR THAT RIFLE WITH STD REDDING DIES.\

if you mix brass, you MAY need a small base die,
if you mix rifles you may need a small base die
if you should range pickup or used( not yours) brass you will likely need a small base die
what rifle/bbl/twist sights/scope that is going to get you 1/2 moa..with what bullet ??

 

[treillw]

Is there a DISADVANTAGE to using a small base die?

 

[243winxb]

Is it worth having a third die for crimping or the RCBS small base dies handle it?

Don't really know how much of a crimp is required for rapid blasting 5.56

I did not crimp for my M16A1 carbine.

Bullet hold/neck tension keeps bullets from moving. Measure the neck OD before & after seating a bullet. After seating, it should get larger by a minimum of .002" This will require 35 pounds pull to move the bullets. Minimum military standard.

The crimp helps also, & provides some water proofing.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/reload-basics/reloading-for-semi-autos-and-service-rifles/

 

[6bra1k]

Is there a DISADVANTAGE to using a small base die?

work.
and i see no one mention, but nearly all ar brass needs triming. you cannot seat to a canalur spot with brass length all over the place. you cannot crimp worth crap if case length is all over the place.
target and varmit loads, just like a bolt gun, blasting ammo crimped.
no mention of primer pocket crimps. most usa ammo has crimped in primers cause"if it works for the mil, then it works for civilians with ar's

 

[243winxb]

The taper crimp is more forgiving when brass trim length is different.

 

[treillw]

work.
and i see no one mention, but nearly all ar brass needs triming. you cannot seat to a canalur spot with brass length all over the place. you cannot crimp worth crap if case length is all over the place.
target and varmit loads, just like a bolt gun, blasting ammo crimped.
no mention of primer pocket crimps. most usa ammo has crimped in primers cause"if it works for the mil, then it works for civilians with ar's

Is this the result of using small base dies or true of loading any 556?

 

[LVLAaron]

Forster sizer.
21st century mandrel (.222)
Hornady seater with their little micrometer top.

 

[Jon D]

Forster sizer.
21st century mandrel (.222)
Hornady seater with their little micrometer top.

Brownells .222 carbide mandrel is even better. They fit in the 21st century die.

 

[LVLAaron]

That's actually what I use. I recommend the 21st century because people flip when they see a 50+ dollar part.

 

[6bra1k]

Is this the result of using small base dies or true of loading any 556?

ar's and m16/m4 have a tendancy to strech brass...trim on one shooting un like bolt guns

 

[SecondsCount]

I've used Lee, Hornady, RCBS, Dillon carbide, Redding, and most recently the Mighty Armory sizing die with the built in mandrel. The Dillon has the tightest body of all of them and is really good at making sure that the toughest brass gets squeezed back into shape.

The Mighty Armory is a small base die and I really like the mandrel. I have limited accuracy tests with it, mostly ringing steel targets. The seating consistency feels super consistent, and I am seeing less than 10 FPS ES using 8208, Lapua brass, and Sierra bullets.

 

[Metal God]

RCBS small base dies seem good, but probably hard to fine tune with.

Looks like Redding makes some with micrometers.

Most dies will be fine , RCBS , Redding , Hornady etc , get what you want and any other cartridge you may reload for ( 300BLK ) need not be the same brand .

I use a small base die on first sizing of any NATO brass . Although not ALWAYS needed military brass fired in military rifle can be bloated ( fatter ) if fired from a generously cut chamber which is not unheard of . This could make a standard die fail to size down the base enough . It's more of a better to be safe then sorry type of thing for me so once fired NATO brass gets sized with a small base die . After that it can be sized with a small base again or a standard die .

RCBS small base dies seem good, but probably hard to fine tune with.

I don't understand the question "fine tune" ? I have no issues sizing with a small base die to a desired head to datum measurement .

TRIMMING

Is this the result of using small base dies or true of loading any 556?

Generally speaking all sizing dies but more specifically small base dies size down the body/base a tad more which results in a bit more brass being extruded through the neck that will need trimming .

The taper crimp is more forgiving when brass trim length is different.

This may be true but a collet crimp is the most forgiving when it come to case length . I use the Lee factory crimp die on all of my rifle cartridges that I crimp . FWIW Lee's FCD's are the proper crimp for the any given cartridge . Meaning if the cartridge generally uses a roll crimp the FCD for that cartridge will be a roll crimp , same with taper or collet . Just get the Lee 223 factory crimp die and it will be the collet type die .

Do you need to crimp ....... no and I don't on my match or plinking rounds . I do however crimp my SHTF stockpiled loaded rounds . There is a caveat to that and that is if you are using a die that gives minimal bullet hold ( custom or bushing ) . to little bullet hold can cause bullet movement upon loading or on recoil .