small base dies for bolt action?

thejim2

thejim2

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 24, 2012
94
0
41
new york, USA
#1
I have a 308 in an AR platform that I have reloaded several rounds for using a small base re-sizing die. I am thinking of getting a bolt action 308. I understand optimal loads will be different, but can I use the small base resized rounds in the bolt action?
 
#2
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

Yes the small base will squeeze the base of the case near the case head. The brass will stretch more and require trimming more often. The small base die sizes the cases closer to Factory new loaded ammo tolerances
 
#3
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

Assuming you plan to keep separate brass for each rifle, you may want to back off the sizer die a bit for the bolt action. That way you work the brass as little as possible. If you are going to do large volume for either rifle a second die might be worth the expense just so you won't have to keep resetting the die. If you do buy a second die get a standard die rather than the small base version.
 
#5
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: knight_dive</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Assuming you plan to keep separate brass for each rifle, you may want to back off the sizer die a bit for the bolt action. That way you work the brass as little as possible. If you are going to do large volume for either rifle a second die might be worth the expense just so you won't have to keep resetting the die. If you do buy a second die get a standard die rather than the small base version.</div></div>


Backing off might do the trick. So not saying it will not but the other issue that can arise is by backing the die off a little your neck might not resize all the way down like its supposed to with FL normal dies. Kind of the same issue with people that use a FL die to do neck sizing I would say.
 
#7
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

You can use the small base dies, but they're going to work your brass a lot. I would get a standard FL sizing die. The inexpensive Lee die would be preferable to the small base die, in my opinion.
 
#8
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: winxp_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would just buy a normal FL .308 die set and call it a day.




Aron- </div></div>

In the big picture another die is not that large of an expense - you did not say much about expectations on the bolty loads, but most folks are expecting significant performance improvements when switching from a semi - if this is the case for you, my lessons learned would include changing to an upgraded seating die, as least a forester if not a redding - so possibly a new 2 die set is in order
 
#9
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

Here's another way to use your S/B die for your bolt gun. Get a set of Skip's shims.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Read this:</span> http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/03/sinclair-full-length-sizing-die-shims/

I use them between three 308 L/R rifles, including a gas gun. You can set your die to maximum sizing and then use the shims to resize/bump the shoulder less for other guns that have a couple of thousandth's longer headspace. The shims are about $10.00. Less than another sizing die.
 
#10
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

I worked up a load that works good (not the best) in both my bolt and gas .308 and mass produce that load for my shtf stockpile and general range time. I use the small based sizer for it. That way I don't have to worry about whether I used the sb sizer or fl sizer for the ammo I'm using in my gas gun.

I do my competition load with my good brass for my bolt gun with the fl sizer.

So yeah, you can use the sb sizer in both bolt and gas guns, because it does size the case to what the factory sizes the off the shelf match ammo you buy in the store.
 
#11
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George63</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: winxp_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would just buy a normal FL .308 die set and call it a day.




Aron- </div></div>

In the big picture another die is not that large of an expense - you did not say much about expectations on the bolty loads, but most folks are expecting significant performance improvements when switching from a semi - if this is the case for you, my lessons learned would include changing to an upgraded seating die, as least a forester if not a redding - so possibly a new 2 die set is in order</div></div>


You are 100% right. If you are thinking of getting a Forester or Redding even RCBS is fine. I personally use the RCBS and it works so good I would never get a regular set of FL dies. I really like the window that the RCBS dies have for their seating die.

Only reason I stated a FL die set is because maybe the people asking are not willing to buy a match die set.




Aron-
 
#12
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

the small base die can be usefull if you are reloading range pick up or once fired of unknow origin brass, run them through the SB die then use standard die after fireforming in your rifle, make sure you keep the brass specific to each rifles to avoid any kind of feeding issues.
Basically one set of sizing dies is somtimes not enough, I have three set including the SB, standard and neck only.
hope this helps.
 
#13
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

You won't need to keep your ammo labeled and seperate not even if you are just using a SB die. SB dies came into vogue several decades ago when folks were using a lot of once fired USGI brass fired through loose chambered M60 machine guns. Back when the M14 ruled the firing lines of service rifle competitions folks would buy thousands of 1x fired GI brass and the SB die reigned supreme. You don't need it if you are loading brass that you fire through your rifles. You already have it so I would just run what I brung and not look back.
 
#14
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

<span style="font-style: italic">"I understand optimal loads will be different, but can I use the small base resized rounds in the bolt action?"</span>

Goodness! The man's question was can he (safely) use a SB die to load for his new bolt gun, not what any of us would prefer to do. And the answer is, "YES".
 
#16
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-style: italic">"I understand optimal loads will be different, but can I use the small base resized rounds in the bolt action?"</span>

Goodness! The man's question was can he (safely) use a SB die to load for his new bolt gun, not what any of us would prefer to do. And the answer is, "YES".
</div></div>


Extra info can't hurt anyone especially if your are getting into precision reloading and wanting to get the best out of your brass.




Aron-
 
#17
Re: small base dies for bolt action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: winxp_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: knight_dive</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Assuming you plan to keep separate brass for each rifle, you may want to back off the sizer die a bit for the bolt action. That way you work the brass as little as possible. If you are going to do large volume for either rifle a second die might be worth the expense just so you won't have to keep resetting the die. If you do buy a second die get a standard die rather than the small base version.</div></div>


Backing off might do the trick. So not saying it will not but the other issue that can arise is by backing the die off a little your neck might not resize all the way down like its supposed to with FL normal dies. Kind of the same issue with people that use a FL die to do neck sizing I would say.
</div></div>

Back the die off a couple thousandths so it just barely bumps the shoulder, the neck will still be fully sized. Same effect as a very thin shim.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

2
22-250 small base sizing die
Replies
40
Views
830
2old2run
2
R
Dimpled case neck after sizing?
Replies
4
Views
163
rustyinbend
rustyinbend
L
30-06 COAL and CBTO with 178 ELDX
Replies
12
Views
295
LambChoppa
L
RTTY
Over standard at .200" line, can make remedy?
Replies
39
Views
858
Evintos
E
KYAggie
ADG or Lapua brass or does it matter?
Replies
15
Views
838
jmw
J
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts