Lee Reloading die ?

[300 RUM]

I am going to start to load for a 223. I was going to buy a new die, then my father gave me a set of Lee dies. They appear to be in good shape. My dad always buys every reloading item he sees at yard sales. I have a feeling that is where these came from since every new die I have seen him buy are RCBS, all his Lee dies have come from yard sales.

My question is they look to be in good shape but What do I need to look for to see if they are ok before loading.

Also is there anything different to setting up a Lee die compared to an RCBS. Everything I have is an RCBS die.

The number on the die set is LEE-223-84

[Ol` Joe]

Look for pitting or missing parts. Dies likely wont wear out in one persons life time but they can be damaged by abuse. The interior is of more importance then the outside of course. If they appear OK they`ll likely work just fine.

[BILLY D.]

YOU CAN GO TO LEE'S WEB SITE AND THEY HAVE INSTRUCTION MANUALS THERE FOR ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT AND THEY ARE DOWNLOADABLE.

[Gil Martin]

I would clean the dies, set them up and run some cases through them. If the cases chamber OK and hold the bullet tight they are probably just fine. All the best...
Gil

[skb2706]

With the abundance of .223 brass nearly everywhere I have ever been you can afford to experiment with them to find out what kind of shape they are in. Clean them up and use them.......