semi-auto

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Eastman

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Hi everyone.
I'm going to shoot a Browning Bar safari ll 30.06 next fall, and will be reloading for it. I've heard some guys say it's best to use Small-base die for re-sizing? Whilst others say it doesn't matter. What info can you give me? I have the regular die, but will gladly get a small base if advised.
Many thanks,
eastman.
 
Hi. All semi-autos require FL resizing every time. As long as the sizer die you have is a full length die, you'll be fine.
You won't need SB dies. All they do is resize the case a few thou more. Been loading .30-06 for my M1 Rifle(and my 1903A4) for eons with an FL die for eons with no fuss. Literally millions of cartridges were loaded with 'em long before SB dies existed.
Think in terms of a 165 grain hunting bullet. Doesn't really matter which brand. The .30-06 loves 'em and they'll kill any game you care to hunt. You don't need premium bullets either.
If anybody asks, your rifle has a 1 in 10 rifling twist. That's the standard .30-06 twist. Isn't as big of a deal for a .30 cal anyway.
 
i aslo have a question i am starting to load 308 for my norinco m14 and was wondering if i need to crimp the bullets
 
It depends on the individual rifle. Some are fine with regular sizing dies and some need the small base dies. I would see how well your regular sizing die works before buying a small base one. FL resizing is standard practice for semiautos, but neck sizing is sometimes used as a workaround for rifles with excessive headspace (e.g. some M14s) to improve case life.

I would recommend that bullets be crimped for use in self-loading rifles.
 
I shot a lot of .308 and .30-06 through my M14 and M1 Garand before I bothered to crimp any of it and no problems. I used regular RCBS and Lee Full Length sizing dies. I now use the Lee Rifle Factory crimp dies for the ammo used in these guns.
 
Like tjhaile says, it depends on the rifle. I know it's a bit of a frustrating answer, but it's true. I have a BAR in 338 win mag and it NEEDS small base resizing. My first batch of reloads was FL sized and I found accuracy atrocious, until I noticed that at least half the time the rifle cycled a round, the bolt did not close 100%, but the rifle still fired. I checked the rounds carefully and found about 50% of FL resized (and properly trimmed) rounds would not quite chamber all the way, but like I said, the rifle cycled and fired. Groups size was like 5". I bought some small base dies and resized right to a minimum. Now the bolt closed 100% of the time on all rounds and my groups suddenly shrunk to about 1 1/4".

I've had other semi's that worked fine with FL sizing, or even neck sizing.

I never crimp anything, and I shoot at least a half dozen semi's BTW.

You need to try your rifle and see...
 
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