Questions on .223 & .45 ACP

[Swampman]

When I shot High Power matches with my Colt Target Sporter I used regular RCBS dies and I never had an issue.  I want to reload for my M4 now but I noticed the RCBS .223 dies got terrible reviews on Midway USA.  Should I choose another brand?
I've been reloading my entire life but never for a semi-auto pistol.  I have a set of RCBS Carbide dies.  Do I really need a Lee Factory Crimp Die to ensure good feeding?
 

[Savage]

I load about 20k rds a year of .40/9mm, maybe 2-3k .45acp. All are loaded using range pickup brass. I don't take time to sort it, it all gets processed together. With the variations between different manufacturers, case thickness, length ect, I find the LFCD to be indispensable. When I run mine thru the LFCD at the last press station, I can eliminate gauging the loaded rounds because I have complete confidence that the round will chamber and cycle properly. I have several sets of RCBS dies and have used them for 45+ years. I still have the old steel die sets for .45acp and .38/.357. They work as good as any. I use the LFCD on my 5.56 ammo as well. My primary requirement for ammo, is that it absolutely has to function in ANY gun I run it in. The LFCD does that for me.
Savage

[oldandslow]

I only shoot reloads in both of my 1911s. I use RCBS carbide dies. I've never had one problem and I started shooting the Gold Cup National Match back in the 70s. I use mostly RCBS equipment  but do use Lee dies for my .223s. No problem there either. I shoot a bolt gun, contender, and M4 in that caliber, all loades with that one die set.

[Dave in WV]

If your .45 acp seating die is a taper crimp die it will work fine. I've never tried a roll crimp die for my .45 loads.

[drdougrx]

Hey Swamp,

Another vote for the LFCD.  I also load several thousand 223 a year on my Dillon press and use it in the final step.  I also use it for my 223 hunting loads for my rem 700 lite varminter.  ...and...I have one for all of the dozen or more other calibers I load from 223-375HH.  Some bullets don't need it but a bit of a bump in the die increases my comfort level for consistant ignition and better concentricity.  But that's me and what do I know....

[JimP.]

223 Lee Factory crimp, 45 ACP Lee Taper crimp die     works for me.

[tacklebury]

I use both also.  I really like the FCD's as long as you don't over tighten them. 

[cybin]

My brother-in-law has a weatherby .223 that if you don't use the LFCD reloads won't chamber--the same loads will chamber in my savage and my nephews mini 14--the chamber must be tighter on the weatherby.  So it all depends on the demensions of the chamber.
 
In my ruger p-90 .45 cal--I find that I have less problems if I use the LFCD on every reload--but winchester brass seldom gives me any problems whether I use it or not. Some of the other makes of brass does.
 
I haven't loaded .223 for a AR type rifle yet--probably will start this winter some time. The family has or has on order 3 Rock River AR's--so by spring I should know more about reloading for them.
 
cybin

[Lloyd Smale]

ive used rcbs dies for the 223 for years and have loaded 10s of thousands of trouble free rounds. I do use a small base sizer though and trim brass after every firing. those two steps go A LONG WAYS toward making reliable ar ammo. I figure it this way. My life may someday depend on the 223 ammo im making and small base sizing insure my ammo will fit ANY gun i put it in. It does very little if anything to hurt brass life so its a no brainer to me. For handgun 45acp about any die will work if the dimentions in it are right and ive seen good and bad dies from about every company. I dont believe in factroy crimp dies on handgun ammo. It irons out the side of the case, which sizes the bullet and takes away case tension on the bullet. What i do with mine is gut out a second seating die and use it to crimp with in a 4th step. that way im crimping in a  seperate operation but not sizing my case. If your ammo needs to be ran through a factory crimp die to funtion either your gun is cut out of spec or you dont have your seating/crimp die adjusted properly.

[Savage]

I use the LFCD on pistol ammo for the same reason Lloyd and I use the small base dies for 5.56. I have not found the use of the die to be detrimental to accuracy, and have had zero problems with case tension using it. For many years I used the second seating die with the seating punch removed to crimp as a separate operation. Still got the occasional round that wouldn't chamber properly. Using the LFCD as a fourth die eliminates that problem.
Savage

[Swampman]

RCBS says my set has a taper crimp die.  I'm going to try them with the .45 ACP and see how they work.  I'm still not sure .45 ACP is worth reloading for.  Most of the brass I've aquired has small pistol primer pockets.  I hate that.....

[Swampman]

My RCBS .45 ACP dies seem to work just fine.  I ordered the RCBS .223 X-Dies today.