Short or Full length Dies? Semi Auto and Bolt Action

quikcolin

quikcolin

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I’m new.

I have a Hornady LNL Kit. Now it’s time for dies.

I’m thinking RCBS does, but don’t know if I should get short or FL?

I’m reloading for my ATRS MS in .223 (semi auto) & and for my Tikka T3x on .223 (so semi auto and also bolt). What I read is the short is for semi and full length dies are for bolt? Am I right. I really don’t want to have to buy 2x .223 die sets.... I’ve also read that full length is good for both now?

I’m also reloading my Stag10 in 6.5 Creedmoor (semi auto). Should that one be short?

Any insight is helpful. I know this is a controversial subject, but would love some help.
 
I am pretty sure I have never heard of "short" dies, as opposed to "Full Length" dies. Perhaps you mean "Small Base" dies? They will squish the rear of the case a bit smaller than a Full Length sizing die does, and many pump and semi owners find that extra does help make for smoother feeding. Of course, that is working the brass more than is full length sizing, but you do what you have to do to feed your machine. I happen to use a Lee Full Length sizing die for my Savage PC 10 in .223, and have no complaints. I do not own a semi .223 or 5.56.
 
Some posters on this site have said Lee Full Length dies gets you very similar to RCBS Small Base. Get the Lee kit with Full Length and the collet neck sizer and you are good to go. As you move along, you will find mucho advantages to segregating your brass to a particular rifle. If you feed 5 Lee enfield No.4's, you'd think it possible to load in batches to suit all, but that plan gets you a couple or three loads and brass is done - match brass to rifle and you can get many more loads than that - neck and shoulder annealing will be in your future...
 
Neilm said:
I have a Hornady die marked 30 NS SHORT I have found that saying "never, always and no such thing" always comes bak to bite me in the a__.
Neil
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Hornady simply chose a stupid abbreviation for that neck sizing die. These dies do not push the shoulder back at all, and are not a small base die.
 
I see 21st Century just released some short and long body neck bushing dies, that was yesterday, the release post was a bit strange in that they mention having tapered bushings for them to adjust the neck tension, they have a .003 taper. Not posted on their website yet. Wasn't clear if they had straight and tapered available for them, or if they were just tapered bushings. Don't remember seeing any mention of being able to bump with them.
 
Since you're new to it, just get a set of LEE Deluxe Rifle Dies in .223. That includes the Neck Sizer for your BOLT RIFLE ONLY ammo and a Full Length Sizer for any range brass you may grab and for your semi, a decapping die, Factory Crimp Die (Even most guys that poo-poo LEE will admit that's probably the best crimp die available), basic load data, and a shell holder. Usually costs less than sets that don't include all of that from the other manufacturers, and will be more than enough until you decide you really like reloading and getting super fussy over every possible dimension. If it turns out you don't care for reloading so much, you aren't badly out of pocket and should have no issues selling them down the road.

*EDIT*: Do the same for your 6.5 Creedmoor
 
What I decided on was RCBS die sets.

I bought a full length die set for my T3x in .223, and a Short base die set for my ATRS MS semi auto. I also bought short base die set for my Stag 10 in 6.5 CM. They’re not all the expensive so figured this would take the guess work out of it
 
quikcolin said:
What I decided on was RCBS die sets.

I bought a full length die set for my T3x in .223, and a Short base die set for my ATRS MS semi auto. I also bought short base die set for my Stag 10 in 6.5 CM. They’re not all the expensive so figured this would take the guess work out of it
Click to expand...

You mean "small base".lol
 
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