Body Die Smaller Than Short Base?

[searcher]

I finished putting together a new .20 Practical upper and ran into something. I use once-fired Lake City cases which I run through a Redding short-base sizing die before necking down and turning necks, etc. The cases will not fit in this particular chamber - and it is not the headspace or neck diameter as being problems. I have another .20 Practical barrel that requires short-base dies after every firing, yet that is not enough for this chamber (both are Hart barrels, the one that is super tight was chambered by Hart). I can run a batch of other virgin brass on hand (Winchester, Nosler, etc.), yet I'd really like to make use of the huge quantity of Lake City I have. I'm also not sure the virgin brass will fit - though I intend to try some in the next few days. Is anyone aware of a body die that is smaller than a typical short base die?

 

[boltfluter]

I would imagine there is some variation between brands of small base dies. Personally I could not tell which is which. Someone will know.
Paul

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Take a couple thousandths off the top of your shell holder so the case can go in a little farther. How much do the LC cases lack going in all the way?

Frank

 

[jepp2]

Redding short-base sizing die

You use the term "Short-Base" throughout your post. I have never encountered a short-base die in any of my loading or searches. If that means small base, then yes, I use a Redding 223 small base body die for 2 of my 223 rifles. I have never had to use a small base die for any of my 20P's however. But my FL sizing die might be different dimensions than yours. And I run my brass through 3 steps when getting it ready.
- Redding 223 FL sizing die with the decapping assembly removed
- Redding 223 Competition bushing neck sizing die with a 235 bushing
- CH4D 20P FL sizing die

Here is the 223 small base body die.

Redding Small Base 223 Remington Body Die

Redding Small Base Body Dies were designed to full length resize the case body and bump the shoulder without disturbing the case neck. The Small Base...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[dkhunt14]

I never heard of a short base die. If the problem is the base of the brass is too large. You can get a cheap regular die and cut the shoulder off it. Then remove as much off the base that you need. It will only size the body and not touch the shoulder. Matt

 

[AlNyhus]

If your aim is to use the once fired LC brass you have, the best bet is to open the back end of the chamber to fit the brass after it's been through the small base die. You might still struggle with extraction on an AR style platform.

Since new brass fits fine, that's the Easy Button I'd push.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have to use a Redding small base die on "some" of my brass for both of my 20P's. I usually check any "new" 20P brass for easy chambering before I load it. If I get a hard bolt closure then I run those pieces thru the small base die and they usually fit w/o issue. If a piece of brass still has hard/stiff bolt closure after the small base die, then I trash it and move on.

 

[searcher]

Sorry for using the term "short base" die - as small die is what I use. My mind doesn't work so clearly at 3:00 a.m. when I posted this.

If your aim is to use the once fired LC brass you have, the best bet is to open the back end of the chamber to fit the brass after it's been through the small base die. You might still struggle with extraction on an AR style platform.

Since new brass fits fine, that's the Easy Button I'd push.

Yes - going to my new brass is clearly the hassle-free way to go. I saw a die advertised as a "super small-base" die or to that effect not too long ago. I just can't recall who makes it.

 

[AlNyhus]

Just remember that despite how small the bottom of the die is...it can only reduce the diameter of the solid base area of the case so much.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Are you really sizing the case all the way? Did you follow the makers instructions? If so you are not sizing it all the way. Run a case into the die with the handle all the way down. Now look closely where the die and shellholder meet. There is most likely a couple thousandths gap. If so, you can turn your die down more. One full rotation of the die moves the die down .0714. This gets the "slack" or "play" out of the linkage. Even if you only get a quarter turn more, you are moving the die down .0178. This could be just enough to solve your problem.
What press are you using. A weak press may have some give or flex in the body of the press. Aluminum presses have been known to crack in the corners when under a heavy load allowing the case not to fully enter the die.

Frank