Which neck and seating dies plus which brass?

[encoreguy]

I have ordered my first press, now I need to order a neck sizing die and a seating die for .223. What would you recommend? Also what brass would you recommend? I really don't want to get into the really expensive brass for my initial reloading.

Thanks!

 

[tightneck]

You will probably get lots of opinions on dies and a most of the dies on the market will do just fine. I wouldn't suggest a neck sizing die. Your gonna need a FL die anyway,to size the body and shoulder of the case when it gets to tight to chamber).
This will occur when you've fired the cases several times. I would suggest a Redding type S FL sizing die and a Redding seater. The sizing die uses interchangable bushings so that you can control the neck tension or grip on the bullet. I feel the regular sizing dies over work the neck and provide too much tension for good accuracy. As far as brass, Winchester or Remington will be OK, but dont think either is cheaper than Lapua. It may start out that way, but when you are replacing your cases for the third time, keep in mind that you would still be shootin your original Lapua cases.

 

[Aussie_bob]

Yep i agree with Tightneck the redding "S" type dies work well and definately lapua brass.
The brass isn`t very expensive and like Tightneck said you will still be reloading the lapua Brass when the other stuff has been chucked in the bin. Haveing good gear from the start causes less grief and stuff ups.

 

[USAPatriot]

What are you shooting and why? Myself I definitely go with the Reddings and Lapua but that may not be justified if you're just going to plink on occasion. If you're looking for the best groups possible then you'd want the best dies and brass possible. Myself I use only Lapua brass,but started out years ago reloading from fired factory cases, then moved to Remington's and then LC's) and started out on cheap RCBS dies. Now I only use Reddings, including their Competition seater, which is a micrometer die. Your actual use should dictate the equipment you need. -Rod-

 

[encoreguy]

Thanks for the replies so far. I thought that neck sizing was the only way to go as you are "fire forming" brass as you shoot and full length sizing would "erase" that. I am shooting a Custom 10FP Savage and it has great accuracy potential, so I hate to not let here show me what she can do. I will soon be rebarreling another Savage for .243 Ackely. I will also load 7-08 and 6.5 X 284 for my Encore Pistol for long range varmiting and deer hunting. With the Encore, reloading is a must to get the best accuracy. To be honest the .223 shoots in the .3's with Black Hills 69 grainers so I am not sure there is more accuracy to be had.

 

[SF340Driver]

I have had great luck with Winchester brass as well as Lapua. If you can afford Lapua get it, but you can't go wrong with Winchester either.

If you are shooting it in a factory chamber I would recommend Redding Die set #38111,includes a body die, type"S" neck die and a competition seater)

If you are shooting in a custom chamber I would use Redding Die set #36111,includes a FL type"S" die and a competition seater)

 

[USAPatriot]

Encore,

Just because you're shooting Black Hills doesn't mean you can't get better. Quite the opposite in fact. I'm betting you can. Look at it like this:

Let's say there's one suit for sale on a rack. It's an average size suit and will fit all average males. Ok? But it's going to fit some of those average size men well and not so well on others. They may all be average size but they are not alike.

So it is with ammunition. Black Hills is just factory ammo, nothing more nothing less. It IS high quality but .223 rifles are not all the same. Like the suit, one-size-fits-all,.223) ammo will do very well in some rifles, not so well in others.

That's why we handload. The same reason some people won't wear an off-the-rack suit. It just don't fit right. And I'm betting you CAN do better. -Rod-

 

[encoreguy]

Encore,

Just because you're shooting Black Hills doesn't mean you can't get better. Quite the opposite in fact. I'm betting you can. Look at it like this:

Let's say there's one suit for sale on a rack. It's an average size suit and will fit all average males. Ok? But it's going to fit some of those average size men well and not so well on others. They may all be average size but they are not alike.

So it is with ammunition. Black Hills is just factory ammo, nothing more nothing less. It IS high quality but .223 rifles are not all the same. Like the suit, one-size-fits-all,.223) ammo will do very well in some rifles, not so well in others.

That's why we handload. The same reason some people won't wear an off-the-rack suit. It just don't fit right. And I'm betting you CAN do better. -Rod-

I didn't mean that I did think I would do better, but the gun does like the Black Hills stuff and I will be amazed if the factory gun will actually shoot better than .3's. I agree with your example. I have some factory Encore barrels that I am sure will shoot much better with hand loads since the chamber is a little sloppy and I hope better bullet seating will help.

Thanks for the input!!!

 

[encoreguy]

Is the Lee Deluxe set any good? It has a full length sizer, Collet neck sizer and a seater. How much better is the Redding stuff besides $125 better?

 

[Preacher]

For a starter set the Lee deluxe will do just fine and can load some accurate ammo for you if you get a good one to start with.
But a really good set of F/L dies with a bushng for better control will cause you a lot less grief in the long run.

 

[encoreguy]

Decided to go with Forester micro seater, Lee Collet neck die and redding body sizer.