Help with small base Redding die for 308

[Dolomite]

they are open on the inside and only hit the base so it doesnt matter how long the case is
View attachment 1174817

Does he still make these dies? How much do they cost?

I have been having issues with my 308 Lapua brass shot out of a 308 Bisley match Chamber bolt gun. Second firing I have to FL (RCBS) size the brass and bump the shoulders .003-.004 to prevent the bolt click on extraction.

If I bump the shoulder .002 using the FL RCBS 308 the empty brass will chamber but have the dredged bolt click on extraction.

Same thing for the 3rd firing.

I suspect that when the shoulder blows out and the base is expanding and pushed out the rear of the chamber slightly and not springing back so I get the click upon extraction. This is being shot out of a rem700 close with a Bisley match chamber in a Bartlien barrel.

Do I need to run small base dies because the chamber is so tight? but the reamer specs on the bisley shows a base of .470.

PS I'm using a forster co-ax press and have an RCBS press sitting on the side not being used.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I own a 308 RCBS FL sizing die and a 308 Redding body die and Forrester bushing bump die.

I want to keep the should bump to a min of .002 and size the base/body do I don't get that dreaded bolt click on extraction.

Will the ring die work or do I need a small base die to set the headspace back .002 when bumping the shoulder?

Any help is greatly appreciated from the knowledgeable folks here in the forum.

 

[rijndael]

I also shoot Lapua brass from a Bisley chamber, but I use Redding FL bushing die.

Out of curiosity, what's your load?

 

[Dolomite]

I also shoot Lapua brass from a Bisley chamber, but I use Redding FL bushing die.

Out of curiosity, what's your load?

168 SMK, Lapua Brass and 41 gr Varget. Do you bump shoulder .002 and have that dreaded bolt click? I use a Redding body die to size the body down and use foreter bushing bump bump die to finish off the shoulder bump.

I narrowed it down to the base area of the brass causing the bolt click.

In order to prevent the bolt click at the top I have to size the shoulder of the brass down .003-004 so the base of the die sizes the base of the brass slightly smaller.

 

[rijndael]

I don’t have any bolt click issues, except for the occasional too hot round. Your load is pretty light.

I can provide some case measurements in a couple of hours, I’d they’ll help.

 

[Dolomite]

I don’t have any bolt click issues, except for the occasional too hot round. Your load is pretty light.

I can provide some case measurements in a couple of hours, I’d they’ll help.

Thanks measurements would greatly be appreciated.

 

[rijndael]

Thanks measurements would greatly be appreciated.

My apologies for the delay, I had a personal issue crop up.

Base Measurements

New Lapua = .468
Fired = .470
Redding FL Type S Sized = .4695

 

[Dolomite]

My apologies for the delay, I had a personal issue crop up.

Base Measurements

New Lapua = .468
Fired = .470
Redding FL Type S Sized = .4695

Thanks for the info, my Redding body die and RCBS FL sizing die can't seem to size down far enough close to the base without bumping the shoulder even more.

My fired brass is .470 as well.

I wonder if the redding small base body die is longer to size more of the base without affecting the shoulder bump?

 

[rijndael]

I wonder if the redding small base body die is longer to size more of the base without affecting the shoulder bump?

I have the SB Redding die; I can adjust it to not bump the shoulder while still squeezing in the base a bit.

 

[Dolomite]

I have the SB Redding die; I can adjust it to not bump the shoulder while still squeezing in the base a bit.

Great thanks for the info, I may just get a small base body die to see if that will resolve the issue. Hopefully I can find one these days.

Whidden told me their standard FL sizing dies have a smaller base but not considered small base dies.

 

[rijndael]

Have you considered just ordering a custom die, perhaps from Neil Jones?

 

[Dolomite]

Have you considered just ordering a custom die, perhaps from Neil Jones?

Does he make custom dies for Bisley chambers?

 

[Chaotik]

My understanding is that Redding body dies, whether small base or not, do not touch or bump the shoulder at all. Also, I do not know of any Redding small base bushing die.... if it's a bushing die then it is not a small base die. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[rijndael]

My understanding is that Redding body dies, whether small base or not, do not touch or bump the shoulder at all.

Redding Small Base 22 Creedmoor 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

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

 

[Chaotik]

Redding Small Base 22 Creedmoor 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

You are correct... I blame this on senility.

 

[rijndael]

You are correct... I blame this on senility.

No worries, I've read the same thing online about that Redding die, but it's wrong.

 

[Michael C]

Not all small base dies are the same. In my loading for M1A and AR10 gas guns for NM type shooting I learned that Redding small base sizes the least amount at the base of the cartridge case. Forester is better and nearly as good as a plane Jane RCBS small base die. I found this out when sizing machine gun fired lake city brass to shoot in my AR10. The down size with the RCBS dies (which I only own one of) is the location of the expander button and it makes sizing a little more difficult compared to the Forester. I’d buy a Forester small base die if you still need one.

 

[JFrank]

Thanks for the info, my Redding body die and RCBS FL sizing die can't seem to size down far enough close to the base without bumping the shoulder even more.

My fired brass is .470 as well.

I wonder if the redding small base body die is longer to size more of the base without affecting the shoulder bump?

Bumping the shoulder back to increase sizing at the .200 datum doesn't work very well.
Get a die that sizes more. You need .4685 -.469 max at the .200

 

[Dolomite]

Bumping the shoulder back to increase sizing at the .200 datum doesn't work very well.
Get a die that sizes more. You need .4685 -.469 max at the .200

Which die would you recommend?

 

[JFrank]

Which die would you recommend?

I dont think brand is the issue, you may have to try a few to get more sizing which normally is the other way around where dies gets honed out or shell holders get reduced.
So that's a curiosity, anyway the mentioned SB dies may do the trick or since you asked my 308 dies are Wilson Fl bushing type but the nice thing is that le Wilson answers the phone and lets me talk to the tech to get what I need.

 

[Dolomite]

I dont think brand is the issue, you may have to try a few to get more sizing which normally is the other way around where dies gets honed out or shell holders get reduced.
So that's a curiosity, anyway the mentioned SB dies may do the trick or since you asked my 308 dies are Wilson Fl bushing type but the nice thing is that le Wilson answers the phone and lets me talk to the tech to get what I need.

thanks for the info.... I might just try the SB die.