223 Dies - The Firearms Forum

ALF357 · 03-14-2010, 11:27 AM

Going to buy a 223 Remington Die set today. I thought I have read before that I should buy a short base die instead of a full length die set so I don't have feeding problems. I am reloading for my mini-14. Does anyone know which is preferred and why? Thanks

medalguy · 03-14-2010, 02:05 PM

I think what you mean is small base dies. Some people will tell you they are absolutely required if you shoot a semiauto gun. Personally I have shot literally thousands of rounds of reloaded GI brass in several AR's, an M16, and Mini14 all resized with standard dies and never, ever had a problem with rounds chambering other than just fine. Others may have had a different experience, but that's mine.

I would say to try a set of standard dies and see if they work. If not, you can always sell them on evilbay for probably at least what you paid for them, then buy small base dies. Or, find someone who loads on standard base dies and try a couple dozen rounds and try that.

NuJudge · 03-15-2010, 05:31 AM

Some .223 brass is kinda soft, meaning it is more likely to spread out at the base. Federal used to have this kind of problem, with loosening primer pockets, primer pockets getting more shallow, and I believe I heard this complaint too.

Some mil-surp brass for sale has been fired in light machineguns, which usually have loose chambers and headspace. If you are not using commercial brass, the small base dies may well be what you need.

Some chambers are cut really tight. In the past, Mini-14 rifles have not been, but Ruger has been trying to improve the rifle's accuracy.

If you are only reloading brass you have previously fired in your rifle, the chances are very small that you will need a small base die.

oldreliable45120 · 04-14-2010, 07:41 PM

Unless you have a custom tight chamber you probably wont need the small base dies.I havent had any problems using full length dies in the past 30 years of reloading 223.

03-14-2010, 11:27 AM	#1
ALF357 Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1	223 Dies Going to buy a 223 Remington Die set today. I thought I have read before that I should buy a short base die instead of a full length die set so I don't have feeding problems. I am reloading for my mini-14. Does anyone know which is preferred and why? Thanks -->

03-14-2010, 02:05 PM	#2
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: 223 Dies I think what you mean is small base dies. Some people will tell you they are absolutely required if you shoot a semiauto gun. Personally I have shot literally thousands of rounds of reloaded GI brass in several AR's, an M16, and Mini14 all resized with standard dies and never, ever had a problem with rounds chambering other than just fine. Others may have had a different experience, but that's mine. I would say to try a set of standard dies and see if they work. If not, you can always sell them on evilbay for probably at least what you paid for them, then buy small base dies. Or, find someone who loads on standard base dies and try a couple dozen rounds and try that.

03-15-2010, 05:31 AM	#3
NuJudge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 38	Some warnings Some .223 brass is kinda soft, meaning it is more likely to spread out at the base. Federal used to have this kind of problem, with loosening primer pockets, primer pockets getting more shallow, and I believe I heard this complaint too. Some mil-surp brass for sale has been fired in light machineguns, which usually have loose chambers and headspace. If you are not using commercial brass, the small base dies may well be what you need. Some chambers are cut really tight. In the past, Mini-14 rifles have not been, but Ruger has been trying to improve the rifle's accuracy. If you are only reloading brass you have previously fired in your rifle, the chances are very small that you will need a small base die.

04-14-2010, 07:41 PM	#4
oldreliable45120 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 20	Re: 223 Dies Unless you have a custom tight chamber you probably wont need the small base dies.I havent had any problems using full length dies in the past 30 years of reloading 223.