Small bass die?

S

Stonegoat

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BC, Canada
I already own a standard FL die for my bolt 308s. I’ll be receiving my Stag 10 this week and am wondering if I’ll need to invest in a Small Base sizing die? Thoughts?
 
Is your standard full length die RCBS brand? If yes, then there is a good chance you will need a small base die. If it's any other brand, probably not.

My opinion is the whole "small base" thing is an RCBS invention to sell you two die sets. Other manufacturers just make their dies properly and there are no problems.
 
No. And I used rcbs dies. I just use their standard full length sizing does for 308. Works just fine in the stag.
 
I needed one for my M305. No way would the regular RCBS die work on the surplus brass I bought.
 
stevebc said:
I needed one for my M305. No way would the regular RCBS die work on the surplus brass I bought.
Click to expand...

Best piece of reloading gear I bought was a case gauge,just drop the resized case in it and it will tell you Instantly if the shoulder was set back far enough for it to chamber and also if it needs trimming.I have one for most rifle calibers I shoot.
Also a lot of semis beat the rim up ,it appears that the case was not sized properly ,by dropping the case into the gauge rim first you .can tell if the rim needs to be dressed.
 
M1-Garand said:
Best piece of reloading gear I bought was a case gauge,just drop the resized case in it and it will tell you Instantly if the shoulder was set back far enough for it to chamber and also if it needs trimming.I have one for most rifle calibers I shoot.
Also a lot of semis beat the rim up ,it appears that the case was not sized properly ,by dropping the case into the gauge rim first you .can tell if the rim needs to be dressed.
Click to expand...

This is interesting. I have a Wilson case gauge, but never thought to check that. I just tried it with a piece of brass, and I can see how a chewed up rim could cause issues.
 
Forty years ago, I bought a .223 small base die because I read that one was needed for reloading cartridges used in semi autos. Never needed it, still have it.
Get the rifle and try what you have before spending your money on a SB die.
 
You’ll get a few reloads without issue using regular RCBS dies. Then you will get rounds that start jamming and require a rubber mallet to open the action. Followed by some rounds which simply won’t chamber in your AR308.

Needless to say after that experience I went to small base RCBS dies in 308 for my semis. YMMV.
 
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