[wayneo73]

rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

i saw these on the midway website...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=476613

they're claiming they work better for lever action rifles... since the the 308ME is only avail in a lever, i figured why not post it here to get some feedback.

here's a blurp from their technical info:

Small base sizer dies are usually required for reloading ammunition to be used in automatic, semi-automatic, pump, slide and some lever-action rifles.

These dies size the case somewhat smaller in diamter and also set the shoulder back slightly more than a Full-Length sizer die to ensure poper functioning in the actions of these rifles.

what say you MOers... are these worth the addtional cost (nearly twice as much)??

 

[Halwg]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

I've shot lever and pump action rifles all my life and have never used a small base die. I do have a friend who uses them for his Remington 742 semi-auto.

 

[stykbow57]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

I figured Hornady makes the ammo I would use the Hornady dies and they seem to work just fine. Dennis

 

[Gee Wizz01]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

I have never found the need to use small base dies, and I have loaded for levers, semi-autos, bolt guns, pumps and revolvers. Forty years ago a buddy used to get me 7.62 Nato brass they found during helicopter overhauls. This brass was fired in M60's and some was very hard to resize; but, all of worked without problems in my M70 and an M1A. I am sure there are a few guns out there that need the small base dies to size the brass down. My experience indicates that a normal dies get the job done for most firearms.

Gary

 

[wayneo73]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

Thanks guys. After a bit more reading on SB dies, I found not too much real benefit.

 

[FredT]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

Many years ago a friend of mine had a Remington pump in .30-06. We handloaded a bunch of ammo for it and a few rounds did not want to chamber real easy with the limited chambering force of a pump. We went through the lot of ammo by chambering them and weeded out the tight ones. This would have been a candidate for the SB dies. This is also the only rifle I had seen that would benefit from them. I guess let the rifle dictate what it needs and not go by a manufacturer's blanket statement.

It is nice that they make them just in case.

 

[Dr. A]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

I had to get a small based die 30-06 for my BLR. Sized the way a regular RCBS die is, it didn't work. I bought the small based die. Using Hornady or especially Lee dies, they don't need them small based because they are that way to begin with.

 

[wayneo73]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

Using Hornady or especially Lee dies, they don't need them small based because they are that way to begin with.

didn't realize that... good to know.

 

[big medicine]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

What that Dr.A fellow said. All Hornady dies are small base dies. I have a Rem 742 in 243 that would not chamber cartridges that I loaded with RCBS dies. I went with Hornady dies and have never had a problem.

 

[CalvinMD]

Re: rcbs "small base" dies - 308ME

That explains why I've never been dissatisified ever with Lee dies....I've only owned one set of RCBS dies and they were the fancy Benchrest dies with the micrometer adjust for the bullet seater and I got them with the rifle they were for as a package deal..good dies but I would never had bought them alone for what they normally cost