Hey everyone I'm new to reloading gas guns. I have a dpms sass in 308 and a lwrc in 5.56. For the 308 I bought reddings type s match bushing die set and the same for the lwrc but in 223. I have bought the right bushing size for both with .003 neck tension form the brass I have save from shooting them. I have been reading more that you need a full length sizer for gas guns but isn't that what the body die does? So can't I deprime and size the neck then use the body to size the brass and bump the shoulder back and then trim as needed. I bought a small base die for my 308 because I have read that dpms has tight chambers. If I don't need it then I don't need it but I got it just in case. Did I buy the right dies or should I have bought the national match die set?
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Did i buy the wrong dies?
- Thread starter MadRoofer_DMI
- Start date
Re: Did i buy the wrong dies?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MadRoofer_DMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey everyone I'm new to reloading gas guns. I have a dpms sass in 308 and a lwrc in 5.56. For the 308 I bought reddings type s match bushing die set and the same for the lwrc but in 223. I have bought the right bushing size for both with .003 neck tension form the brass I have save from shooting them. I have been reading more that you need a full length sizer for gas guns but isn't that what the body die does? So can't I deprime and size the neck then use the body to size the brass and bump the shoulder back and then trim as needed. I bought a small base die for my 308 because I have read that dpms has tight chambers. If I don't need it then I don't need it but I got it just in case. Did I buy the right dies or should I have bought the national match die set? </div></div>
First of all, what specific bushings did you buy and what brand of brass will you be reloading?
Tight chambers ususally entail a length component and not a width component. If your 308 brass is fired out of sloppy machine gun chambers, than a small base die might just work, otherwise you probably don't need one.
A body die in conjunction with a neck sizing die is fine.
Generally people like to bump the shoulders back between .002"-.003" for gas guns and do a full length resize just to make sure that the BCG will lock up on the ammo in question.
Next time, ask here first.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MadRoofer_DMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey everyone I'm new to reloading gas guns. I have a dpms sass in 308 and a lwrc in 5.56. For the 308 I bought reddings type s match bushing die set and the same for the lwrc but in 223. I have bought the right bushing size for both with .003 neck tension form the brass I have save from shooting them. I have been reading more that you need a full length sizer for gas guns but isn't that what the body die does? So can't I deprime and size the neck then use the body to size the brass and bump the shoulder back and then trim as needed. I bought a small base die for my 308 because I have read that dpms has tight chambers. If I don't need it then I don't need it but I got it just in case. Did I buy the right dies or should I have bought the national match die set? </div></div>
First of all, what specific bushings did you buy and what brand of brass will you be reloading?
Tight chambers ususally entail a length component and not a width component. If your 308 brass is fired out of sloppy machine gun chambers, than a small base die might just work, otherwise you probably don't need one.
A body die in conjunction with a neck sizing die is fine.
Generally people like to bump the shoulders back between .002"-.003" for gas guns and do a full length resize just to make sure that the BCG will lock up on the ammo in question.
Next time, ask here first.
Chris
Re: Did i buy the wrong dies?
For the sass I have hornady brass bushing size .335 and the lwrc I have lake city brass bushing size .242. So what your saying is that a body die is not the same as a full length die? So I should buy the redding full length bushing die? Pistol ammo is so much easier to reload!
For the sass I have hornady brass bushing size .335 and the lwrc I have lake city brass bushing size .242. So what your saying is that a body die is not the same as a full length die? So I should buy the redding full length bushing die? Pistol ammo is so much easier to reload!
Re: Did i buy the wrong dies?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MadRoofer_DMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the sass I have hornady brass bushing size .335 and the lwrc I have lake city brass bushing size .242. So what your saying is that a body die is not the same as a full length die? So I should buy the redding full length bushing die? Pistol ammo is so much easier to reload! </div></div>
Well, if you're shooting Lapua brand brass and/or Lake City, the .335" bushing will suffice.
For .308 Win., shooting lots of different headstamps, I have a .332", .333", .334", .335", .336", .338", 339" and .340" bushing.
I use most of them.
For .223 Rem, I have .242", .243", .244", .245", .249" and .250".
The larger ones in the above two examples, are used as step down bushings, FWIW.
A body die is different than a FL sizing die, in that it has no provision to size the necks. It only bumps the shoulder down, while minimally squeezing the case body inwards.
Body die + neck sizing die pretty much achieves the same result as a FL sizing die, whether those dies are standard dies, or bushing dies.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MadRoofer_DMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the sass I have hornady brass bushing size .335 and the lwrc I have lake city brass bushing size .242. So what your saying is that a body die is not the same as a full length die? So I should buy the redding full length bushing die? Pistol ammo is so much easier to reload! </div></div>
Well, if you're shooting Lapua brand brass and/or Lake City, the .335" bushing will suffice.
For .308 Win., shooting lots of different headstamps, I have a .332", .333", .334", .335", .336", .338", 339" and .340" bushing.
I use most of them.
For .223 Rem, I have .242", .243", .244", .245", .249" and .250".
The larger ones in the above two examples, are used as step down bushings, FWIW.
A body die is different than a FL sizing die, in that it has no provision to size the necks. It only bumps the shoulder down, while minimally squeezing the case body inwards.
Body die + neck sizing die pretty much achieves the same result as a FL sizing die, whether those dies are standard dies, or bushing dies.
Chris
Re: Did i buy the wrong dies?
Ok so what you ate saying is that I don't need a full length sizing die because my neck sizing die and body are the same as the full length die? I just have an extra step to do because I will have to switch dies to get the same result.
Ok so what you ate saying is that I don't need a full length sizing die because my neck sizing die and body are the same as the full length die? I just have an extra step to do because I will have to switch dies to get the same result.
Re: Did i buy the wrong dies?
They will net the same result as a FLS, as you said there will be an extra process on the press compared to using an FLS.
You may need more bushings than what you have, they are not one size fits all brass of a given caliber.
They will net the same result as a FLS, as you said there will be an extra process on the press compared to using an FLS.
You may need more bushings than what you have, they are not one size fits all brass of a given caliber.
Re: Did i buy the wrong dies?
Thanks that's what I needed. I know case neck thickness is diff erent from all manufactures
Thanks that's what I needed. I know case neck thickness is diff erent from all manufactures
Re: Did i buy the wrong dies?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MadRoofer_DMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks that's what I needed. I know case neck thickness is diff erent from all manufactures </div></div>
If you're only using a single stage press AND you're shooting gas guns (which you are for now) I'd stick with the FL bushing sizer.
Body/neck die combos are meant more for bolt gun shooters who might not have to bump their shoulders back for a couple/few cycles.
Even if you have a progressive press, unless you'll be shooting a bolt gun down the road, you'll have an extra 'step' to contend with.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MadRoofer_DMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks that's what I needed. I know case neck thickness is diff erent from all manufactures </div></div>
If you're only using a single stage press AND you're shooting gas guns (which you are for now) I'd stick with the FL bushing sizer.
Body/neck die combos are meant more for bolt gun shooters who might not have to bump their shoulders back for a couple/few cycles.
Even if you have a progressive press, unless you'll be shooting a bolt gun down the road, you'll have an extra 'step' to contend with.
Chris
