Help with small base Redding die for 308

[Fullbore308]

Need some help,
I need to be able to use the small base die to be able to run my 308 FTR gun. I've tried several dies and small base dies. The one that seems to work best is Redding small base bushing die. Here's my issue
Once fired Alpha and Peterson brass out of that chamber measures 1.6220", I'm trying to get the headspace at 1.6195". I've set my small base die up, lube the case, resize and it measures 1.625". I stroke the same piece of brass again and magic 1.619".
My brass is stretching .003 to .005. This ain't good for life of brass.
I've never had to resize twice, is this okay?
Can I use a F/L bushing Die first to get the head space and then run it through small base as a body die?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks Steven

 

[AJC]

That wouldn't work because as you squish the base of the cartridge that's where your additional growth in length comes from.

 

[Fullbore308]

That wouldn't work because as you squish the base of the cartridge that's where your additional growth in length comes from.

Glad you said that I was fixing to try it. Once I read your thoughts I can see now that F/L first won't work. Just hate to resize in small base twice. Appreciate it, thanks Steven

 

[chkunz]

Sometimes I use the Redding Competition Shell Holders to fine tune the resizing. That way I can make sure the ram is "caming over" which helps with consistency but I am not over sizing the brass shoulder.

 

[Fullbore308]

Sometimes I use the Redding Competition Shell Holders to fine tune the resizing. That way I can make sure the ram is "caming over" which helps with consistency but I am not over sizing the brass shoulder.

Perfect, I will investigate. thanks so much for taking the time to help.

 

[243winxb]

measures 1.625".

Does the empty sized brass chamber in the rifle?

At the top of the sizing stroke, is the shell holder in full contact with the bottom of the die? Some presses flex when sizing.

 

[Fullbore308]

Does the empty sized brass chamber in the rifle?

At the top of the sizing stroke, is the shell holder in full contact with the bottom of the die? Some presses flex when sizing.

I use a RCBS Summit press with shell holder shimmed at .003. The only flex I'll get is if I cam over extremely hard.

 

[243winxb]

Rcbs summit-

Be sure all of the play is removed from the press linkage system. To do this, raise the handle to raise the die plate to the top of the stroke. Thread the sizer die 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn farther down so the press cams over center.

shell holder shimmed at .003.

?? Shave .002" of the shell holder, to set the shoulder back more.

it measures 1.625". I stroke the same piece of brass again and magic 1.619".

If the 2nd sizing sets the shoulder back the correct amount, leave the brass in the size die for 10 seconds
.

 

[243winxb]

Redding Competition Shell Holders

These make the head to datum longer.

 

[chkunz]

These make the head to datum longer.

Yes

 

[dfry]

My Palma rifle has a tight chamber. I use a 270 win small base die to size the case first then run the case into my Forster 308 die. Solved my problem and I have been doing it this way for years in that rifle. Since I use an RCBS turret press I just do a single case at once. I have gotten so fast with rotating the head when sizing it’s really not much slower then only sizing once. But you must use the small base die first.

Dave

 

[epc308]

I had similar issues with shoulder datum variations. I too had the shell holder solidly against the bottom of the die for a solid cam over. I'm not a fan of stressing either dies or press like that, seemed counter intuitive to me. I machined .010 from the bottom of the sizing die, stoned a small radius at the bottom of the die then polished that transition. When I put things back together I could top out the ram, the case was sized correctly without the solid contact between parts, and the variations went away. I will say, Redding dies are extremely hard as I learned when cutting one for my son. They laugh at regular carbide lathe inserts. I had to use ceramic to make the cut.

 

[INTJ]

Glad you said that I was fixing to try it. Once I read your thoughts I can see now that F/L first won't work. Just hate to resize in small base twice. Appreciate it, thanks Steven

Before I had my custom dies I had great results with a 6 BRA by small basing in a .308 die to size down the body diameter, then running through the regular die to set the neck and shoulder.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you size the base its going to get longer. Trim it and you probably wont have to small base it next firing. I suggest a ring die from forum member uthink uknow. It does any case with the same size boltface so itll do any 308 family case. Then just use your regular fl die on it, trim it and go. Next firing you can run it in there again and shouldnt have to trim it again if you stay on top of it

 

[Fullbore308]

Great ideas, I appreciate all of your suggestions and your time helping me.

My game plan for today is to use the idea of the small base die then my forester shoulder bushing die as mentioned few times above.

I'll investigate the .003" shim adjustment under my current shell holder.

I've order last night the competition shell holders as mentioned above for the 308 and 223. I like new or used reloading stuff that shows up in the mail.

I use a Larry Willis collet die for the 7mm mag and 300 wim mag. I'll look into a ring die, sounds like its similar.

I'll investigate modifying the die.

Thanks again for the help. Appreciate your time, Steven

 

[Michael C]

Dusty, can you provide more information on this “ring die” maybe a picture or contact information on how to get one? I am super interested in how this works. Mike

 

[Fullbore308]

Micheal C, I searched the Uthink Uknow member and several good reads on the rind die showed. I see now how it can help.

Good news guys, with your suggestions problem solved today. I was trying to do way to much with one stroke in my Redding type S die. I was trying to small base resize, head space and neck tensions all at once. I knew better than that. I've went with the type S die as a small base body die then in a separate press I setup a Forster neck bushing shoulder bump die.
I'll wait for the competition shell holders to fine tune my head space.
So far I'm able to use the Redding type S die similar to the ring die mentioned above. Without touching the head space. Then head space off the Forster without expending the brass way out ( brass measures 2.0055 to 2.0080" after sizing). The strokes on the presses are very slight cam effect. Big difference. All measurements spot on. Thanks again for your support, Steven

 

[Uncle Ed]

Three types of Forster full length .308 dies.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dusty, can you provide more information on this “ring die” maybe a picture or contact information on how to get one? I am super interested in how this works. Mike

they are open on the inside and only hit the base so it doesnt matter how long the case is

 

[tomswede]

Sometimes I use the Redding Competition Shell Holders to fine tune the resizing. That way I can make sure the ram is "caming over" which helps with consistency but I am not over sizing the brass shoulder.

They are very good for consistency. Moving the die is not as consistent ( never trust friction to get you the same results), did some trials on that.