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Small Base Die Sets

CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
edited May 2007 in Ask the Experts
What is the purpose of a "small base" die set?
Thanks

Comments

  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Chris8161,

    Small base dies are used to resize brass cases that have been fired in chambers that are a little more generous in size than usual or to resize brass fired in semi-auto firearms.

    "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 body of cases somewhat smaller in diameter and also set the shoulder back slightly more than a full length sizer die to ensure proper functioning in the actions of these rifles. Not recommended for ammunition used in bolt-action rifles. Small Base Set contains Small Base Sizer with Expander-Decapping Unit and regular Seater Die with Seater Plug. Small Base Sizer Dies also available individually."

    Best.
  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info!
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When you fire a cartridge, brass will expand
    nonuniformly so the main body of a case will probably not be concentric with its' base. The degree of eccentricity depends on looseness of the chamber. When the case is resized, the base, being
    outside the die, isn't forced into concentric alignment with the case body. Because of this misalignment, brass sized this way may not readily feed and seat into a tight chamber.
    Small base die sets accept the whole case and force the base into concentricity with the body, permitting it to chamber in a minimum SAAMI spec chamber.
  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If I am going to reload for a semi auto 308 rifle, then it would be best if I used a small base die set.
    Thanks for the information!
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