Reloading .223/5.56

[junglerot]

I just thought of something, should I do my initial resizing before trimming?

[rondog]

Yes. You have to resize them FIRST! Otherwise the length will change.

[20X11]

Download the RCBS X-Die instructions from thier website before you buy them and think you want to use them. I think you will find they require regular die sizing then trimming before first use.

[junglerot]

Yes. You have to resize them FIRST! Otherwise the length will change.

That was kind of a duh epiphany on my part. Thanks for verifying.

Download the RCBS X-Die instructions from thier website before you buy them and think you want to use them. I think you will find they require regular die sizing then trimming before first use.

Very interesting, I may just look into the rcbs die set that dwalker mentioned.

[Zombie Steve]

Download the RCBS X-Die instructions from thier website before you buy them and think you want to use them. I think you will find they require regular die sizing then trimming before first use.

You can use the die as a normal sizer... just don't turn down the mandrel.

To the OP - I know it's been said, but make sure you size before taking your measurements / trimming. It's pretty important.

[junglerot]

I'm heading out of town for work tomorrow, so my progress is going to slow down. I have however placed my ordered for the Dillion swager and the WFT trimmer. Now I just need to make a decision on dies (I over-think these things to death sometimes), and maybe I can have all my hard parts ready for me by the time I'm done travelling in a couple weeks.
All the info and feedback from you guys is much appreciated and very helpful.

[Hoser]

Now I just need to make a decision on dies

What is the end use of this ammo and what is your budget?

I would hate to recommend a $150 set of dies to go plinking with when a $30 set would work just as well.

[bigmyk2k]

For a cheap case trimmer these work well. They are disposable and do not last forever. Works well with a cordless drill. When you get enough money buy a RCBS or Lyman case cutter. You will need both of these items.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/107...-223-remington
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476...-and-lock-stud

Can't quite wrap my head around this one. Does it go in a single stage press, or is it used some other way?

[Great-Kazoo]

IF you intend to get in to reloading more than a casual 20 rounds here 50 rounds there, invest in this unit.
http://www.giraudtool.com/
After doing it for a while and you decide that reloading may not be your thing, the giraud's hold their resale value very well.

[SideShow Bob]

If you got experience on the progressive machine you ought to run the whole course on it. Just trim your cases before you start. Use a good set of dies and call it good. No reason to make work for yourself than necessary.

Wrong, on a progressive you start with a de-priming/sizing die. Resizing will cause the case to Lengthen so trimming needs to be done after de-priming and sizing.
So run a single stage press to De-prime and size, trim & de-burr the cases and run the rest of the loading process on a progressive.