Another Reloading Newbie

[Scogin]

I am getting together supplies to start reloading for my AR15's. I will be doing large quantity plinking ammo as well as precision rounds. I have access to a Dillon 550 and a Rockchucker single stage, but the owner only has the stuff to do large pistol and large rifle stuff. I need to get a list of the equipment I need to buy. All of my brass is LC so I know I will need the Dillon Swager. Also, are the dies for 5.56 and 223 the same.

Dies
Shell Plate
Swager
What else?

Thanks

[Great-Kazoo]

Yes same die.
you need
K13-13254 Case guage .223
#20128 .223 caliber conversion kit.
K13-16627 Auto prime system.
Allows you to be set up for small rifle primers. Easy to remove the LRP unit and replace with your SRP.
K13-22058 550 Quick change assembly. This way you have the 223 dies adjusted for OAL, size/ deprim the powder measure has been adj to X gr.
All you need to do is remove what ever setup is on the 550 install yours. Check OAL, powder drop then pull away.
I check my powder every 10-15 rds, kind of anal but better safe than OOPS.

I'm sure i forgot something???

[SA Friday]

I would recommend the Dillon 223 dies with the carbide insert. 223 is notorious for getting stuck in the resizing die and the carbide die really helps to stop this from happening. I don't think I've ever seen a 5.56 specific die. They are essentially the same size and as long as it's marked 223 Rem you will be fine.

You will need a 550 die plate unless you are planning on resetting the dies from another die plate every time. I don't recommend that approach.

You will need a small primer seating system for the 550 and small primer rods.

You might want to look into a case trimmer too. I usually only trim my 223 bulk fodder once initially and then every 4 reloads, but it's still going to need to be trimmed.

If you are going to do large quantities of 223, skip the rock chucker and go straight to the 550 and use powders that meter consistently like Ramshot Tac, H322, AA2520, etc, ball powders... I use Wolf SRPs for my 223. They are cheap and very consistent. The three bulk 55gr bullets I hear most using are Rem, Hornady, and Montana Gold.

Being new, have your buddy teach you the process.

[spqrzilla]

Also, are the dies for 5.56 and 223 the same.


The rounds are dimensionally identical and use the same reloading dies.

[Danimal]

There is a lot of room for interpretation here, but this is how I feel. I love my 550, and I do not want to beat it up. So I do all of my brass processing prior to it ever touching the 550. Yes it takes a little longer, but in the long run it saves time because you can just grab a bag of completely processed and cleaned brass and crank out a couple hundred rounds in an hour with no hiccups. I use a rock chucker for initial sizing and de-priming then I trim to length with this (http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html), then debur everything (flash hole and case neck) and finally super swage all 223 especially FC and WCC headstamp. I use cheap RCBS or lee dies for all of this because they get gunked up and you will break depriming pins from time to time. Then I take the fully processed brass and have all my dillon tool heads outfitted with dillon dies. If you did everything right, you will need minimal lube for the brass and the 550 will stay clean and you wont end up with stuck cases. It just helps keep the process running smooth when you actually get to making live rounds, and everyone tells me that the can not tell the difference between my rounds and factory new. The 550 should have come with the small primer setup as well, but it is a pain in the ass to switch back and fourth so make it count when you get it on there and running. What I would get given your description:

Cheap dies
Nice Dies
Tool Head
Swage
imperial Die Wax
Little Crow WFT case trimmer, or if you are made of money this: (http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm)
Case Gauge
Dillon Powder die
Dillon Caliber conversion kit for .223

[Scogin]

Awesome info guys. Thank you. Hopefully mama will be good to me for Christmas. If not maybe I will keep the Shield .40 I got her for Christmas.

[Rooster1966]

RCBS makes a Small Base Die especially for auto and semi rifles. It's what I use in a single stage press (.308, .223, .30-06) - never had an issue. Here's what RCBS says about them:

Small Base Sizer Dies are usually required for reloading
ammunition to be used in automatic, semi-automatic, pump,
slide and some lever-action rifles. These dies size the body of
cases somewhat smaller in diameter and also set the shoulder
back slightly more than a Full-Length Sizer Die to ensure proper
functioning in the actions of these rifles.
Not recommended for ammunition used in bolt-action rifles.
Small Base Set contains Small Base Sizer with Expander-
Decapping Unit and Regular Seater Die with Seater Plug. Small
Base Sizer Dies also available individually. Available in many
calibers.