This may be exactly what I need to hear. I'm a buy once, cry once kind of guy and sometimes talk myself into buying more than I need. I can afford my own trial and error so I get bogged down reading about things like the crimp/no crimp debate, or crimp during or after seating. The standard redding die set is only $30(or $40 set with FL die) but crimps while seating but the Forster standard die doesn't crimp and costs $52.
Also I'm not also certain of each writer's goal for shooting. Here's what I'm working with and what I'd like to do with it:
1:8 18" 223 wylde rifle length with adjustable gas, and a lightweight BCG. Hornady 55gr SP closed base with Ramshot Tac, mixed brass. 1-6x glass. The only benchcrest competing that I'll be doing is with friends but I wouldn't mind showing out a little because no one has a precision 223. Shooting slower can be fun with friends and saves money. I like to go fast too... I might shoot a few 3gun matches this year but next year I'm hoping to compete a full season. Our local 3gun match usually has a 500yd target if that matters.
My main concern is regretting a decision that costs me money. Financial stability is getting closer but right now, not so much.
Lee what's your 223 reloading process and with which dies?