Small base sized brass problem

[BigRso]

Hello everyone,

I recently sold a ptr in 308 win, I had prepped some cases and used a small base sizing die. I now only have my bolt gun in 308 and want to know if I FL size this brass will it be ok to fire in my bolt gun?

Thanks and be well,
Mike

 

[ksthomas]

BigRso,

It'll be just fine, no problem at all. I'd recommend sticking with the F/L sizing, even for the bolt gun, but the S/B die is a bit of overkill for that application. Just watch your heaspace, use a gage to set up your dies and check your sized cases, and you'll be golden.

 

[BigRso]

BigRso,

It'll be just fine, no problem at all. I'd recommend sticking with the F/L sizing, even for the bolt gun, but the S/B die is a bit of overkill for that application. Just watch your heaspace, use a gage to set up your dies and check your sized cases, and you'll be golden.

Thank you for the reply, I usually neck size and use a body die for my bolt gun. Just had this brass that was intended for my ptr auto loader and had read some where not to use brass sized in a sm base die in bolt guns. Anyway thanks again glad to know I can load that brass up.

Be well,
Mike

 

[former naval person]

Unless you have too much headspace...good to go.

 

[scotharr]

I've had mixed luck using brass from one rifle and trying to use it in another. even after using a SB base die, I could not get old brass to fit a new chamber....had to start with fresh brass. Most of the time, though, it works.

 

[Pinecone]

If you FL sized brass will not fit, it is likely you did not set the shoulder back far enough.

I ran into this recently with .223

A Redding Body Die is a wonderful thing to have around.

 

[BigRso]

If you FL sized brass will not fit, it is likely you did not set the shoulder back far enough.

I ran into this recently with .223

A Redding Body Die is a wonderful thing to have around.

Should I run this brass that was sm base sized threw my body die before loading it for my bolt gun?

 

[ksthomas]

BigRso,

No, it probably won't accomplish anything since the F/L die will have larger internal dimensions than the S/B die. That's different from headspace, however, and that is another issue entirely. Get a gage, and use it religiously. Wilson chamber gage, bump gage, Redding instant indicator, whatever, just so long as you have some means of knowing just how much you're setting that shoulder back. F/L size, and bump the shoulder back by .001"-.002" for a bolt gun and you'll be good to go. Easy chambering, no bolt jamming on closure, good case life and accuracy, the whole ball 'o wax.

 

[BigRso]

BigRso,

No, it probably won't accomplish anything since the F/L die will have larger internal dimensions than the S/B die. That's different from headspace, however, and that is another issue entirely. Get a gage, and use it religiously. Wilson chamber gage, bump gage, Redding instant indicator, whatever, just so long as you have some means of knowing just how much you're setting that shoulder back. F/L size, and bump the shoulder back by .001"-.002" for a bolt gun and you'll be good to go. Easy chambering, no bolt jamming on closure, good case life and accuracy, the whole ball 'o wax.

Just order the Hornady guage Thank you

 

[Pinecone]

Only if you did not bump the shoulder back far enough.

As others have said, you NEED to have some way to gauge the case for headspace.

 

[redhooker]

My FL sizing die does not come close to sizing the case back to virgin status, my SB die gets close, but still not quite unfired condition so I don't see how it would matter much if you used brass SB sized other than it was worked a wee bit more than it needed. It should still be a little "fatter" than unfired, at least with my SB dies. Does anyone know if this is common with SB dies or do I have a sloppy set?

 

[Country]

Thank you for the reply, I usually neck size and use a body die for my bolt gun. Just had this brass that was intended for my ptr auto loader and had read some where not to use brass sized in a sm base die in bolt guns. Anyway thanks again glad to know I can load that brass up.

Be well,
Mike

And you should continue to do that as your brass will last longer and fit better . You size to fit the chamber , if you need a small base die to do that , then you use one. As long as the base to shoulder dimention is within safe headspace specs then it will not make any real difference except maybe more of a ridge on one side of the case and accuracy may suffer due to changed internal pressure if using the same powder load and more expansion of the case body . It is never a good idea to size more than you need and it takes life off the case . If the gun does not need a small base die then get a standard body die instead .

 

[Country]

My FL sizing die does not come close to sizing the case back to virgin status, my SB die gets close, but still not quite unfired condition so I don't see how it would matter much if you used brass SB sized other than it was worked a wee bit more than it needed. It should still be a little "fatter" than unfired, at least with my SB dies. Does anyone know if this is common with SB dies or do I have a sloppy set?

It all depends on the chamber and die dimensions. Chambers vary and so do dies they all are subject to manufacturing tolerances .
The Redding Small base body die will vary far less than all the different rifle brands chambers because it's a single product but all the guns made are multiple products from many factories. They all might conform to SAAMI specs but min and max tolerances still apply.
Then you add in brass tolerances to complicate the issue. It is not uncommon for dies to not size back to minimum factory dimensions as some brass is quite under size to start with . A small base die might size back to some factory brass diameter but not against other brands .
As long as it sizes brass to fit your chamber is the main issue and small base dies rarely fail to do that even with tight factory chambers , private gunsmith cut chambers can be a different issue again . Your Small Base die sounds about right to me.

 

[ksthomas]

Redhooker,

No, what you're describing in your S/B and F/L dies is typical and perfectly normal. You should be good to go, as is.

 

[redhooker]

Redhooker,

No, what you're describing in your S/B and F/L dies is typical and perfectly normal. You should be good to go, as is.

I guess like a woman brass is only prom-date tight once Thanks for the reply Kevin