Collet Dies for .223?

[papajohn428]

Hi All:
I am loading for an Oly Arms AR-15 (PCR-8) with a heavy stainless 20" barrel, and so far the only ammo that groups worth a foop is the factory stuff.  I'm using a 15-year old set of Lee dies with the factory crimp die, but just can't seem to load a batch the gun likes.  When I loaded for my Mini-14 I got groups of 4-6 inches at 100 yards, which is all I expected anyway.  I'm thinking the dies may be the problem, and am considering getting a collet die set to try and improve the accuracy.  Mind you, I'm getting groups of 1.5 inches or so with the handloads, but I know the gun will do better.  Anyone using collet dies in .223?  Are they better than the standard dies, in your opinion?  My standard Lee dies have see a lot of hard use, and are pretty grungy looking, what do you guys think?  

Papajohn

[Weatherby223]

I only use collet dies for my .223Rem but i have never tried anything else. I would not even bother to try anything else when i get around
.5 MOA from my reloads. Lee claims that they(Collet Dies) make the most accurate reloads possible which i thought was just to sell more units but i was pleasantly surprised when i tested my first batch in my Rifle.
 My Weatherby came with a Factory Target to prove accuracy of my rifle which was around 1moa ( Not great) but i cut that in half straight away and consistently get 5 shots into .6moa. So as you can see i love the collet dies, im sorry i  can't give you a comparison on any other kind of die though...

[papajohn428]

Hey Weatherby223, thanks for the reply.  I know you don't get the same powders I get here in the states, but can you list your load anyway?  I just bought some Hornady A-Max and V-Max bullets to test, so I'll be spending most of the day loading ammo, going to the range to test them Friday with my son.  I have been told the 75-grain A-Max is THE bullet, so I guess I'll find out soon.  I'm using Varget, but there isn't a whole lot of data available for bullets that heavy.  I'd like to try some IMR-4064, but that will have to wait.  Hodgdon's H-414 has always given me great results, not sure why I haven't tried it yet, either.  So many loads, so little time!

Papajohn

[bgjohn]

I love collett dies too. I've never used them on a self loader, only bolt action, break action (Contender) guns. They seem very accurate. Buy a set and try them. I like them so much I had Lee make me 3 custom sets in calibers, 221 FB, 6mm TCU & 6.5 TCU. In addition I have them in 22 Hornet, 223 Rem.
JM :grin:

[Weatherby223]

Hey Papajohn. I don't use Bullets that heavy. I have just a 1:12 twist rate so i find the heaviest bullet i use which is a 55gn to be the most accurate. I know i could use a 60gn without any dramas but i love the 55gn V-Max.I can give you my favorite load using Benchmark 2 powder (You American's know it as Benchmark)

55gn V-Max
25.9 gns Benchmark 2 (Benchmark) powder
Winchester Brass
Winchester Small Rifle Primers..
This is my favorite load but it blows crap out of the Foxes.

Fox Fur Friendly...

40gn V-Max
27.2 gns Benchmark 2
same brass and primers also.

I however mainly use Benchmark 1 powder which i don't think ADI has introduced to American's yet, so i won't bother giving out loads for this. Hope you have fun reloading like i do. It keeps me going until i can go hunting again.

[MnMike]

I shoot .223 out of a contender pistol. With standard dies it would group about 1/2" at 100 yds. With the dies, it groups 3/8". Is this worth it? For me it is. You decide. Collet dies are not magic but they help.

mike

[sgtt]

Depending on your gun, collet dies (and all neck sizers) may not give you good feeding in your self-loader.   Even standard full length resizers sometimes are not enough.  This is the reason some die mfg. offer small bases resizers.  The only way to know is to try them.