Carbide 223 dies?

[goosedowner]

I want to start loading 223/5.56 on my 550 and I was wondering if it's worth paying the extra money for the carbide dies over the non carbide.

 

Thanks

[dillon]

You still have to lube the cases regardless of the die material. If you are a commercial loader, the carbide die lasts much longer than the steel size die does. The carbide size die has increased scratch resistance over a steel size die. But unless you expect to load more than 100,000 rounds of 223 in your lifetime, it is not cost effective.