Small base Sizing dies

[Wolfdog91]

So what's eveyone's opinions on these ? I've been told by some their a must I've been told by others their just not nessecary if you learn how to set up your dies and bump properly. What's everyone think ? I'm allll ears

 

[RegionRat]

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...th-dies-neck-sizing-dies-and-small-base-dies/

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/small-base-dies.3984664/

ETA: Small base die dimensions are not a mystery. They have a real difference. Finding yourself in a situation where the brass “needs” a big correction is usually due to the history where the brass gets blown beyond the size where a regular die doesn’t allow chambering. At that point, yes, you will wish you had them.

 

[chkunz]

If I am loading a semi auto like the M14 or the AR, I use them. It does no harm and may save you a lot of grief.

 

[jepp2]

So what's eveyone's opinions on these ?

I frequently "read" folks say if you load for an AR you need to use one. I have loaded for a wide variety of AR's in 223, 5.56, 20 Practical, and 204 Ruger. I'm a brass scrounger so I pick up a lot of range brass fired in who knows what. NEVER have needed to size any of the brass using a small base die. There have been years I have shot north of 10K centerfire rounds, so I have quite a bit of experience. Also loading for LR308's in 308 and 6.5 CM. Again, never found the need to use a small base die and NEVER had any issues.

Then I acquired a custom 223. Firing some rounds fired in other 223 bolt rifles, I was having some extraction issues. Even new factory brass fired in the custom. Started using a small base die and issue solved. Then I had a prefit chambered in 223. Similar experience. So the only rifles I need to use small base dies on are very nice bolt rifles with custom chambers.

My suggestion is let your rifle tell you if you need to use small base dies. Don't use them on everything, or anything until you know you need to.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its all in your chamber if you need one or not

 

[danny]

I frequently "read" folks say if you load for an AR you need to use one. I have loaded for a wide variety of AR's in 223, 5.56, 20 Practical, and 204 Ruger. I'm a brass scrounger so I pick up a lot of range brass fired in who knows what. NEVER have needed to size any of the brass using a small base die. There have been years I have shot north of 10K centerfire rounds, so I have quite a bit of experience. Also loading for LR308's in 308 and 6.5 CM. Again, never found the need to use a small base die and NEVER had any issues.

Then I acquired a custom 223. Firing some rounds fired in other 223 bolt rifles, I was having some extraction issues. Even new factory brass fired in the custom. Started using a small base die and issue solved. Then I had a prefit chambered in 223. Similar experience. So the only rifles I need to use small base dies on are very nice bolt rifles with custom chambers.

My suggestion is let your rifle tell you if you need to use small base dies. Don't use them on everything, or anything until you know you need to.

Similar results and history. I have only needed a Small Base Die ONCE.

Some Popular Semi Auto misconceptions:

Semi Auto = Automatic Small Base Die. WRONG
Semi Auto = Automatic bullet crimping. WRONG

Danny

 

[Cemetery21]

No opinion here. Loaded since early 1970s and never owned a small base.
Loaded lots of semi auto calibers and used any brass I could find, including a big cardboard box of 1000+ 06 full auto brass.
YMMV

 

[jpx2rk]

I use a SB die first on any brass I process for my 20P & 6x45 rifles when converting the brass to that chamber. If I don't, I get too many "rejects", or too many pieces of brass won't chamber smoothly resulting in hard bolt closure, etc. After the first loading/firing of that brass, the SB die is not needed.

 

[Jager]

When you buy a regular, commercial FL die, it's going to be birthed inside the manufacturing slop range that that maker has established: your new die is going to lie somewhere between a minimum-dimension-spec and a maximum-dimension-spec.

Chances are good that your new die is going to work just fine with most rifles.

The potential rub comes when your new die comes out on the large end of the acceptable manufacturing spec... and you then try and marry it up with a gun with a chamber on the tight side or with more persnickety feed requirements. Gas guns and custom bolt guns come to mind.

Then, maybe, you'll have a problem.

Small base dies simply ensure you're getting a die on the small end of the acceptable manufacturing tolerance.

 

[drop_point]

I've fired tens of thousands of reloaded 5.56 through a variety of ARs. My ARs all share brass. I have never needed a small base die. However, especially with heavier bullets, I've found a light crimp reduces flyers. I have removed rounds from the chamber that had grown long and wouldn't fit back into the magazine they came from.

 

[46and2]

I've found a light crimp reduces flyers. I have removed rounds from the chamber that had grown long and wouldn't fit back into the magazine they came from.

World's most expensive bullet puller

 

[drop_point]

World's most expensive bullet puller

You're not kidding there! There is quite a bit of inertia in that bolt slamming home. Check out some high-speed video of bolt bounce.

 

[AccelR8]

My experience; loaded .223 for 25 or 30 years. A couple bolt guns, a singe shot H&R, half a dozen AR's. Did so with one full length resizing die for all of them. No troubles using brass of any description, brass fired in my rifles, fired in other's rifles didn't matter.

A few years ago I bought a 24 inch AR15 bull barrel and built a match upper. Wouldn't chamber reloaded rounds. Only new ammo would work. I got a small base die and solved the issue.

Now, I only use the small base die for all my 223 reloading. The difference between it and the die I was using originally is only .001” so I figure, why would I not reload everything with the small base die?

 

[MGYSGT]

I have a little ring in a chamber. About the second or third firing of my .223 ammo it will become hard to remove. That's when I use my small base sizing die.

 

[AWS]

I keep one around to process 223 range brass before forming into 20P,223,6x45 then just the standard dies after that.

 

[joshb]

They’re one of those tools you don’t need until you need one.

 

[Drop Port]

So what's eveyone's opinions on these ? I've been told by some their a must I've been told by others their just not nessecary if you learn how to set up your dies and bump properly. What's everyone think ? I'm allll ears

I take what others say with a grain of salt (but keep it in mind). After second firing my chamber told me I needed a SBD and I listened. Judging by measurements I saw it coming.

 

[IA_shooter]

Its all in your chamber if you need one or not

This is correct. I have a tight chambered 20 Practical and I HAVE TO use a small base die for it to form my brass. It's the only gun I have with a chamber tight enough to need a SB die, but there are other examples like mine out there I'm sure, but it's not that common it seems.

 

[stevenpoplin]

Since the OP didnt specify cartridge...
I've found if your going to really push a 338 Edge + P, 338 Lapua AI, Or 338-378 Weatherby AI to thier limits, a small base die may be reqiuired sooner or later. Except maybe in the Lapua if your using Lapua brass.
I sent 3 pieces of brass to John Whidden to make die for the 338-378 Weatherby AI. Called me to ask if I had an insert in my press. I do so he said he has had problems with dies made for those and wants to make 1 1/4" small base die right off the bat cause I am going to need one shooting the available brass for that cartridge. Probobly get by in the Edge if making brass from Remmington brass, ADG or Norma got two firings before wouldn't chamber, without mallet. And even then some primer pockets loose after several firings.

The real lesson is if Lapua (or now Peterson and Alpha) don't make brass for it, I'm going to pass on it.

I have one AR shooting Lapua brass that needs sized with SBD every fourth sizing. other than that the 223, 308, 30-06 SBDies been chilling out in the cabinet since i inherited them a looooong time ago.

 

[bline]

I use them for my M1 Garand simply because if I don't, then I can count on extraction problems. Not often, but enough to get me disqualified in a high power rifle match.
It's was so darned embarrassing.