I am just getting back into reloading and now that I have semi autos and bolt guns I'm not sure if I need two sets of dies. Can you use small base resizing die for everything or do I need to buy a normal full length die for the bolt guns?
Question on small base dies
- Thread starter Bradu
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Re: Question on small base dies
you can use the SB for everything, but for the price of an extra die, it is not worth it:
SB may give less brass life, and a sloppier fit to the chamber may or may not hurt accuracy but definitely cannot help it
also if the chamber is on the large end it can take a good bit more effort to SB resize
you can use the SB for everything, but for the price of an extra die, it is not worth it:
SB may give less brass life, and a sloppier fit to the chamber may or may not hurt accuracy but definitely cannot help it
also if the chamber is on the large end it can take a good bit more effort to SB resize
Re: Question on small base dies
I've seen no need for small based dies for several AR-15's, M1 Garands, or Remington 742 30-06 semi-autos. A small based die works brass a little more than necessary. A small based die actually sizes brass closer to factory sized ammunition cases and sizes the body of the case next to the case head about a thousandth or two more than a standard sizing die. Yes you can use the small based sizing die for both bolt action and semi's but like mentioned, it just szies the case body a little smaller than really necessary.
I've seen no need for small based dies for several AR-15's, M1 Garands, or Remington 742 30-06 semi-autos. A small based die works brass a little more than necessary. A small based die actually sizes brass closer to factory sized ammunition cases and sizes the body of the case next to the case head about a thousandth or two more than a standard sizing die. Yes you can use the small based sizing die for both bolt action and semi's but like mentioned, it just szies the case body a little smaller than really necessary.
Re: Question on small base dies
I picked up a small base Redding body die for 223 Rem from here, a couple of years back thinking it would suffice. Upon firing my first batch, I noticed that there was soot on the case bodies about halfway down.
Nothing was wrong, but that soot was evidence that the cases were allowing gas blow-back farther down that I wanted.
I ended up getting a standard body die last year and I'll be using that going forward.
They can help you size cases that have been fired from sloppy chambers, but I don't think that a reloader needs small base dies for sizing cases fired from 'normal' chambers.
Chris
I picked up a small base Redding body die for 223 Rem from here, a couple of years back thinking it would suffice. Upon firing my first batch, I noticed that there was soot on the case bodies about halfway down.
Nothing was wrong, but that soot was evidence that the cases were allowing gas blow-back farther down that I wanted.
I ended up getting a standard body die last year and I'll be using that going forward.
They can help you size cases that have been fired from sloppy chambers, but I don't think that a reloader needs small base dies for sizing cases fired from 'normal' chambers.
Chris
Re: Question on small base dies
Been reloading for all types of arms for decades. Never had a small-base die nor ever saw the need for one. As others have stated, your really over working your brass, shortening it's lifespan and, IMHO, putting yourself at greater riak for a case failure. Maybe you should use standard dies and IF you have problems make a decision about a SB die then.
Been reloading for all types of arms for decades. Never had a small-base die nor ever saw the need for one. As others have stated, your really over working your brass, shortening it's lifespan and, IMHO, putting yourself at greater riak for a case failure. Maybe you should use standard dies and IF you have problems make a decision about a SB die then.
Re: Question on small base dies
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bradu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am just getting back into reloading and now that I have semi autos and bolt guns I'm not sure if I need two sets of dies. Can you use small base resizing die for everything or do I need to buy a normal full length die for the bolt guns? </div></div>
If you have trouble with chambering when sized with a regular die get a small base sizer die. Make sure to size them 100% into the die with a bit of bump as well.
As far as brass life goes I haven't noticed a difference. I think I've had 2 split 223 necks in 5 years and both of those were after the first firing so probably crap brass to begin with.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bradu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am just getting back into reloading and now that I have semi autos and bolt guns I'm not sure if I need two sets of dies. Can you use small base resizing die for everything or do I need to buy a normal full length die for the bolt guns? </div></div>
If you have trouble with chambering when sized with a regular die get a small base sizer die. Make sure to size them 100% into the die with a bit of bump as well.
As far as brass life goes I haven't noticed a difference. I think I've had 2 split 223 necks in 5 years and both of those were after the first firing so probably crap brass to begin with.
