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Posted: 3/20/2012 6:32:15 PM EDT
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Came across a set at my local shop and wanted to do some research before buying. Didn't really find any conclusive evidence to my satisfaction in the real difference between small base and full length dies. Apparently small base sizes the brass a couple thousandths of an inch smaller than standard full length dies for better semi auto/auto performance. How would my bolt gun like this ammo? Hoping somebody with more experience than myself will see this and chime in.
Thanks. |
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The only downside is the brass gets worked a tiny bit more so the cases might not last as long. As far as function they'll work fine with a bolt gun. Idealy though you'd use a neck sizing die only for a bolt gun.
I think the difference between regular FL dies and small base isn't even a few thou but like .001 , I use small base and have to make sure it touches the shell plate completely or the rounds won't chamber in either of my AR's. |
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Quoted:
The only downside is the brass gets worked a tiny bit more so the cases might not last as long. As far as function they'll work fine with a bolt gun. Idealy though you'd use a neck sizing die only for a bolt gun. I think the difference between regular FL dies and small base isn't even a few thou but like .001 , I use small base and have to make sure it touches the shell plate completely or the rounds won't chamber in either of my AR's. Sounds like you have a sizing die vs. shellholder combination that is out of tolerance (shellholder and die both on plus side of tolerances) or you are using a progressive press with a lot of flex. Do you have the sizer all the way down against the shellholder and then turned a little bit more? OP - whether SB dies are necessary for autoloaders is a matter of sometimes heated debate. They are not required for bolt rifles. Regards, dcat |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
The only downside is the brass gets worked a tiny bit more so the cases might not last as long. As far as function they'll work fine with a bolt gun. Idealy though you'd use a neck sizing die only for a bolt gun. I think the difference between regular FL dies and small base isn't even a few thou but like .001 , I use small base and have to make sure it touches the shell plate completely or the rounds won't chamber in either of my AR's. Sounds like you have a sizing die vs. shellholder combination that is out of tolerance (shellholder and die both on plus side of tolerances) or you are using a progressive press with a lot of flex. Do you have the sizer all the way down against the shellholder and then turned a little bit more? OP - whether SB dies are necessary for autoloaders is a matter of sometimes heated debate. They are not required for bolt rifles. Regards, dcat Thanks for the input. Other than the argument that brass sized in a small base die may or may not feed better in semi auto, lever guns, etc... are there any other perceived benefits to small base dies? It almost seems that the SB Dies would size the case closer to spec than a full lenght die would (better?). Other than the possibility of "stressing" the brass more than necessary are there any other negatives associated with SB dies? Is there going to be any accuracy lost with my bolt gun? |
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I would get the SB die set and get a redding 3 die set later if wanted
Fantastic choice for just a bolt gun Ive been using the s bushing FL die and its very very usable |
| Small base sizers are not needed in any AR or bolt gun I've loaded for. They do size brass closer to factory sized brass than full-length dies. Maybe only a thousandth and that just on the body of the case. Neck and shoulder dimensions should be the same. The SB sizer will work brass more than FL. Depends on your rifles chamber as far as the effect it would have on accuracy. Sized rounds being smaller than your chamber will let the round lie in the bottom of the chamber and not perfectly centered to the bore. Fire formed and neck sized brass will fit the chamber and be more centered to the bore than will SB or FL sized brass. For bolt action rifle loading I'd pick a good 3 die set with both full length and neck sizer dies plus the seater die. That would give you the options to see what is most accurate in your rifle. |
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