223 AR dies?

[crittrgittr]

I am not new to reloading, but I have never loaded for an AR before. I know it has been discussed on here before, but I am wondering what dies I need for starting to reload for my AR? I plan to buy RCBS since that is all I have in my collection. Thank you in advance for your help.gun)

 

[Jud96]

I am not new to reloading, but I have never loaded for an AR before. I know it has been discussed on here before, but I am wondering what dies I need for starting to reload for my AR? I plan to buy RCBS since that is all I have in my collection. Thank you in advance for your help.gun)

RCBS dies will work just fine. That's all we use for our .223 and its an AR. I would say 75% or so of our dies are RCBS.

 

[parker300]

you will probably be happier if you start out with the small base die's right off the bat at least that is what I learned

 

[TJAY]

Have loaded for 3 AR's and have not needed small base dies.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I use the RCBS AR-Series SB (Small-Base) dies. They come in a black box.

 

[FEENIX]

I have a ...

 

[Jud96]

Oh yea forgot my dies are small base too for the AR.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I have a ...

Yep...Those are the same ones I have.

 

[crittrgittr]

Thank you all for the replies. Looks like regular dies will work, but maybe the SB dies will work a little better. I hope to pick a set up this weekend and start loading.

 

[mtwarych]

I am not sure of the ar platform you are loading for. If by chance you load rounds that are overgassed for your rifle or you are not sure, buy sb dies and use those from the beginning. An overgassed rifle with a light buffer will allow your bolt to unlock and allow the bcg to open while the case is still under considerable pressure. SB dies will help to make sure that a fl sized piece of brass won't jamb into the chamber requiring you to morter out the round. If you are using a heavy buffer that allows the bolt and bcg to stay locked a few milliseconds longer then regular fl dies will do the trick. I would recommend purchasing sb dies to start with, they work the brass harder but now a days 5.56 or .223 brass is plentiful and fairly inexpensive. good luck JW Semper Fi

 

[Gentle Ben]

John Paul of JP Enterprises, one of the premier 3-gun shooters and premium rifle builders in the US, highly recommends the .223 Dillon carbide die. While it is pricey at about $125, he says all of his AR rifles' chambers match best with that die -- which is a small base die. I have one and it is superb.

Second choice would be a Redding small base die for ARs.