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Which dies? Tumblr? Help please

DngBat7

Silver $$ Contributor
New to reloading, was hoping for some pro advise. I am a Buy once, cry once king of guy. But I also know somethings are important to get the best and some things can wait till later. Saying that, I need suggestions on the following

1. Tumblr, (I was thinking Frankfort Arsenal rotery tumblr)?

2. Dies. Someone close Recommended Redding competition dies, But in my investagations I came across whidden dies, and I know the Warner tool dies are the best, but do not have 600 at the moment to spend just on dies. Suggestions?

3. Neck turning lathe? I prefer this is automated? Seems more accurate than turning by hand, but what do I know.

I may have more follow up questions, but I’ll start with this


Pre thank you for all the answers

Btw. Reloading 6.5 creedmoor and 223
 
Plus one on the Whidden, and if not Whidden then Forster..I never realized how much I was over working the neck of my cases, til I used Forster dies custom honed ....At any rate, alot of guys recommend fl size dies, as the run out is less....As to a tumbler, rotary costs more than vibratory, and unless you're going the SS pins and washing the brass, not needed....and now alot of opinions say to leave the carbon in the inside of the neck......but there are alot of more experienced loaders that will jump in....
 
are they both bolt guns, or is the 223 a semi auto ?

Dan S said:
New to reloading, was hoping for some pro advise. I am a Buy once, cry once king of guy. But I also know somethings are important to get the best and some things can wait till later. Saying that, I need suggestions on the following

1. Tumblr, (I was thinking Frankfort Arsenal rotery tumblr)?

2. Dies. Someone close Recommended Redding competition dies, But in my investagations I came across whidden dies, and I know the Warner tool dies are the best, but do not have 600 at the moment to spend just on dies. Suggestions?

3. Neck turning lathe? I prefer this is automated? Seems more accurate than turning by hand, but what do I know.

I may have more follow up questions, but I’ll start with this


Pre thank you for all the answers

Btw. Reloading 6.5 creedmoor and 223
Click to expand...
 
I have use the Model B for over 40 years and recommend it. The newer brands may be just as good but I have not tried them.
 
Your inquiry is not an unusual one.

You are going to get 50 different answers for 50 different questions on a particular component.

I would strongly urge you to get a reloading kit on special from RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Lee or one of the others. Buy once cry once is wonderful, IF you know what you are doing to start with (with all respect). You may hate the Whidden, Redding, Rcbs, or whatever dies and wind up replacing them within a year. I made the same mistake you did and bought top of the line stuff, most of which I replaced in short order anyway.
 
for the 223 any decent set of dies will work,but
i suggest a better set of redding, bushing neck ( remove the button) and mircometer seater.

if you re shoot your brass YOU DO NOT NEED A SMALL BASE (SB) DIE.
if you plan on shooting recycled unknown source brass, then a first pass with a sb die
is a good idea( often not required, but it sucks to size them once just to find out they do not fit, just one more reason to stick with brass from your gun)
 
The advice on buying a kit, RCBS,Lyman, etc is good advice...should have paid more attention to the op's question.(being New)....and one of the cheapest, but most important items is the reloading manual......buy a couple, and then FOLLOW the instructions...stick to the loads , bullet, primers, cases, etc til you have alot of experience..And read these forums ..there are people here that have years of experience and will help with all they can....rsbhunter
 
I would get a .223 FL sizing die (I use Forster) and run some cases thru that die. If they chamber OK, you're set. No need for a small base die. No need to overwork your brass.

Neck turning. Unless you're shooting 1000 yds or benchrest I think neck turning is a waste of time vs. the benefits gained. LOTS of pros and cons on this subject. Just depends how much work you want to put into it. Shoot the gun first and see if the groups are up to your expectations.
 
Petros284 said:
For your 223 Semi Auto, I would suggest a small base sizing die. That helps aid in cycling reliability.
Click to expand...
Rcbs small base ar works great for me
There is a set of lyman small base in classified for $22 dollars
My 223 ammo is for 2 different AR's tho
 
Last edited:
I know small base dies are great, but between 4 ar' s and a bolt action, a Lee die set sizing die hasn't given me any sizing problems at all..in fact, I have gone to a RCBS body die and a Lee collet neck die, to reduce the amount I work my brass(neck).....just my experience.....
 
It just boils down to what the purpose is for and how deep your pockets are... Before you buy a wet tumbler you might want to do some reading on leaving carbon in the necks etc... I have both dry and wet tumblers and very rarely use the wet.. dies are whatever you want if your reloading .223 for an AR platform I personally don't see the reason for custom dies.. It's all personal preference , just keep in mind before your reloading experience is done you will have tons of extra crap in a box in the corner...
 
Don't make my mistake . I bought a $400 press kit a year ago and I've replaced about 75% if the extras . If money's no object .
1. Forster coax press
2. Widden , Redding or Forster dies ( bushing dies if you can )
3. Wilson hand trimmer or Giraud electric trimmer
4. A&D fx120i scale
5. 21st century neck turning tool ( electric or manual )
6. Any tumbler or vibratory will work the same . Some are just more heavy duty .
7. Sheridan slot case gauge
8. A good hand primer ex. frankfort arsenal platinum, rcbs ,21st century
9. Imperial case lube
10. AMP annealer ( Aztec ,of course)
11. Lapua brass
 
hikfromstik said:
Don't make my mistake . I bought a $400 press kit a year ago and I've replaced about 75% if the extras . If money's no object .
1. Forster coax press
2. Widden , Redding or Forster dies ( bushing dies if you can )
3. Wilson hand trimmer or Giraud electric trimmer
4. A&D fx120i scale
5. 21st century neck turning tool ( electric or manual )
6. Any tumbler or vibratory will work the same . Some are just more heavy duty .
7. Sheridan slot case gauge
8. A good hand primer ex. frankfort arsenal platinum, rcbs ,21st century
9. Imperial case lube
10. AMP annealer ( Aztec ,of course)
11. Lapua brass
Click to expand...
Thank you. Kind of what I was looking for. I always buy the under par item to save money, then have to end up replacing it when I realize why it was cheaper.
 
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