Small Base Die?

[yukonal]

What is the benefit of a small base chambering?

I was setting up a new .223 today, FL sized some brass, and couldn't get it to chamber. You know the story...

So I started taking measurements, and checked my reamer print, and sure as heck, the chamber is .002" smaller at the base than my FL, non bushing die sizes to. Also blacked out the entire case I was trying to chamber...and sure as heck, got the "golden ring" around the base.

What is the benefit of having a small base chambering? I sure wish when Kiff sells a guy a reamer like this, he'd make a note on the print, "this reamer requires a small base die".

Just lost 4 days of reloading/shooting waiting to order and receive a new die. and get stuff in order...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Are you sure the chambering requires a sb die or do you just need to use one? Ive never seen a reamer designed for that purpose. 2 choices- you can send some well fired cases to whidden for dies or try the black box AR series die from rcbs. Looks to me like you have a nice chamber and the dies are too liberal

 

[Scott Harris]

Kiff has made some chamber reamers labeled "match" and the base dimension is smaller than SAAMI. There are two "possible" reasons one might want to do this:
-keep the primer pockets tighter
-align the case straighter into the bore

I received a 223 REM Match reamer (like you, without asking for one) and have not found it to be any more accurate than my SAAMI 223 reamer, nor has it made the primer pockets last longer. But, it HAS rendered my factory dies useless....same as you. You will need to either start using a small base die on a regular basis or get the chamber recut with a SAAMI-spec reamer. Far as I'm concerned, SAAMI minimum is the tightest a chamber reamer should be made. Any smaller and you will need custom dies to go with your "custom" chamber.

 

[ireload2]

Get a set of pin gauges. All you need is about 3 minutes to polish the back half of the chamber. After that blue a case with layout ink and check your work. You can even lap the chamber if you cut the neck and shoulder off a case and coat with a little 320 grit lapping compound.

 

[yukonal]

Kiff has made some chamber reamers labeled "match" and the base dimension is smaller than SAAMI. There are two "possible" reasons one might want to do this:
-keep the primer pockets tighter
-align the case straighter into the bore

I received a 223 REM Match reamer (like you, without asking for one) and have not found it to be any more accurate than my SAAMI 223 reamer, nor has it made the primer pockets last longer. But, it HAS rendered my factory dies useless....same as you. You will need to either start using a small base die on a regular basis or get the chamber recut with a SAAMI-spec reamer. Far as I'm concerned, SAAMI minimum is the tightest a chamber reamer should be made. Any smaller and you will need custom dies to go with your "custom" chamber.

Exactly! It's labeled a 223 Match Reamer. And it's going to cost me another price of the reamer, to buy a die to load for it. What a PITA. All I stipulated was a .150 freebore. SAAMI has always worked for me in the past.

Well, surprise of surprises, no wonder very few of us who have used them for many years, have much good to say about PT&G any more. Considering the fact that it took me 5 months to get this reamer, I'm not surprised the chamber dimensions don't work for me either.

 

[Scott Harris]

Exactly! It's labeled a 223 Match Reamer. And it's going to cost me another price of the reamer, to buy a die to load for it. What a PITA. All I stipulated was a .150 freebore. SAAMI has always worked for me in the past.

Well, surprise of surprises, no wonder very few of us who have used them for many years, have much good to say about PT&G any more. Considering the fact that it took me 5 months to get this reamer, I'm not surprised the chamber dimensions don't work for me either.

Before giving up, I'd give Dave Kiff a call and see if he will exchange your non-SAAMI reamer for a SAAMI reamer with .150 FB AND pay for the extra smithing required to open up your existing barrel to SAAMI. You didn't ask for a non-SAAMI reamer and I'd hope that he would understand that and make it right. You might be pleasantly surprised.

To fix your current barrel, you can follow the advice given by ireload2 above, with the caveat that I'd have it done by a smith on a lathe to ensure the chamber remains concentric.

 

[yukonal]

Before giving up, I'd give Dave Kiff a call and see if he will exchange your non-SAAMI reamer for a SAAMI reamer with .150 FB AND pay for the extra smithing required to open up your existing barrel to SAAMI. You didn't ask for a non-SAAMI reamer and I'd hope that he would understand that and make it right. You might be pleasantly surprised.

To fix your current barrel, you can follow the advice given by ireload2 above, with the caveat that I'd have it done by a smith on a lathe to ensure the chamber remains concentric.

Scott, I ordered 2 reamers at the same time from them last summer and it took over 5 months to get them, along with a pile of problems. I've been ordering reamers from Dave for over 10 years, and despite problems with almost every order... this is the worst I've ever seen it. I need to get this rifle set up, done, and shooting in 2 weeks. That is physically impossible for PT&G.

I just ordered a small base FL bushing die, and will see if that works. If not, the rifle will be put aside, THEN Dave will hear from me, and have a chance to make it right. Too bad I have to spend another $75 just to get a case to chamber in my rifle.

 

[chkunz]

"Better is the mortal enemy of good enough".

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Your gunsmith can make you a quick sb die from your reamer. He should know what to do to make a temp ring die. It doesnt even have to be hardened and will get you by til you get it lined out

 

[alf]

I just ordered a small base FL bushing die, and will see if that works. If not, the rifle will be put aside, Too bad I have to spend another $75 just to get a case to chamber in my rifle.

Try a 38/357 die for a sizer if you have one....

 

[yukonal]

Sorry Al, no pistol dies here. Just keep piling up the brass for friends. Thanks, tho. Sounds like a road you've been down...

 

[Corey Schwanz]

I use a small base die for all my .223/AR-15 reloading. Not necessarily because I have a special chamber, but I have gotten some range brass occasionally or bought some once-fired brass online a couple times. For me, the small base die resizes the case a touch more for reliable feeding for me. Shooting on the clock for time, I can't afford to have a failure to feed.

 

[fguffey]

keep the primer pockets tighter

To maintain a tight primer pocket the case head would require case head support. Most of my barrels have .110 case head protrusion, others have .090" case head protrusion. And then there is case head upset, my small base dies will not size the case head (base) because the shell holder deck height is .125".

Then there is 'the match chamber' meaning the chamber is shorter from the shoulder to the bolt face and the chamber body is smaller in diameter.

F. Guffey