Hey guys quick question, I have both a regular FL Lee .223 and the new RCBS AR series SB .223. I load for both AR and bolt action. My question is, can I use the SB sizer for bolt action? I was told I would have case head separation issues. I broke the pin in my Lee and wanted to load up while waiting for replacement. Thanks.
- Thread starter abogue77
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Case head separation come from excessive headspace, lengthways, not diameter. You'll be fine with the sb die till you get the other one fixed. Rarely does one need an sb die, even for AR style guns. The reason I say, "till you get the other one fixed", there's just no reason to work your brass that hard.
Case head separation can happen for many reasons. One common cause is over sizing the brass (headspace lengthwise) and the brass stretches upon firing. This can also occur if you use a head space guage, size the brass correctly for one rifle, but go and shoot it in another rifle that has a larger headspace. It is not good practice to shoot the same brass in 2 or more rifles.
The Sb die is useful for sizing military brass from various sources, since it sizes down further along the body, it will help with extraction. Once sized you should use your standard die set, or risk overworking your brass. As you know over worked brass becomes brittle, so somewhere down the line it could result in a separation. Will a few reloading sessions have the heads popping off, probably not.
The Sb die is useful for sizing military brass from various sources, since it sizes down further along the body, it will help with extraction. Once sized you should use your standard die set, or risk overworking your brass. As you know over worked brass becomes brittle, so somewhere down the line it could result in a separation. Will a few reloading sessions have the heads popping off, probably not.
I use a Redding FL 223 die in my son's RR carbine, see no need for a SB die for anything, as long as the die sets the shoulder back you'll be fine.
to hell the pin! find some long nail, a drill bit, of something of the right lenght (longer than the brass overall lenght) and dia.(the same of the flash hole) , a light hammer and some holed wood, with the hole larger than a primer but smaller than the brass head_ chase the spent primers off, go with your pinless Lee (if the pinless stem isn't twisted or bent), and be happy_
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I actually thought about that!
I know that most auto platforms will accept loads just fine from a FL sizer, the SB sizer was a gift. I was just curious about working down the brass to much for a bolt action chamber. Thanks for the info guys.
I don't know you reloading proficiency, therefore forgive me if I could appear somehow picky, but is my opinion that, whatever your reloading task, your press, your rifles, a cheap Lee Universal Decapping Die could be really a smart buy_ I've the sensation that, working on an auto platform, could be quite normal decapping and priming without cleaning the p.pocket in between : that, if heavy debatable on bolt actions, could give even worst problems on semiautos: the un-removed crud could cause the seating of the next cap not deep at safe enough level, with unforeseen consequences_
Some people would think differently, but I really advise you to stay on the safe side, decapping separately your brass and cleaning the pockets, maybe losing more time, but giving to your rifles and to yourself an happier and longer life_
I'm not-so-wise, but that's my sincerest word to the wise...etc.._
Some people would think differently, but I really advise you to stay on the safe side, decapping separately your brass and cleaning the pockets, maybe losing more time, but giving to your rifles and to yourself an happier and longer life_
I'm not-so-wise, but that's my sincerest word to the wise...etc.._
Already there man. Lol. Yeah, I clean twice, like Thumblers w/ SS clean. I was just making sure it was ok to use brass sized with a SB sizer in a bolt chamber.
keep up your good work!
(OMG,where they are my OCD pills ?)
(OMG,where they are my OCD pills ?)
FYI...I have found it necessary in the past when going from one custom chamber to another to use a SB die. Not a frequent occurrence but it does happen that individual chambers have enough variation to require sizing the base down when going to the other better (!) chamber.
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