Author Topic: Small Base Dies?? (Read 461 times)

Racepres · « **on:** January 22, 2005, 04:57:15 PM »

I am on my third gun now that won't take just any old once fired brass, even if full length resized. All three of em are custom chambers. All three of em take new/unfired brass fine, and have acceptable headspace. I am wondering if small base dies will reduce that last bit of the head of the case so that I can cheap out on some once fired brass!! Maybe I just have to quit bein' so cheap!! What do you think? And BTW the brand of dies is not the culprit as I have tried all brands that are even remotely available, the exception being lyman, as these just don't show up around here much. Thanks in advance .... Marty ...darn I forgot to say that the only once fired cases that won't work are fired from a different gun!!! Those from the piece (s) in question of course have no problems....Later

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2005, 05:55:07 PM »

If factory and fired from same chamber work, but full length resized from different chambers don't then it sounds like small base dies are what you are needing. An alternative is to have those custom chambers opened up a bit, which may cost less than the small base die.

Racepres · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2005, 06:19:24 PM »

Thanks for the reply... Already said I was cheap so ya know I didn't wanna spring for the s.b.dies..lol ... Now I'm wondering if I might pick up an extra shell holder and take to gringing it off some so I can send those "other brass" a bit deeper so the base gets sized down to where it belongs...... OOOHHHHH no now I'm gonna set the shoulder back aint I??? Oh well gun show in town tomorrow maybe I'll get lucky.... Will post if it works. Thanks again and BTW if someone out there has S.B. dies I would be interrested to learn what they take the "normally expanded" part of the case base to, measurement wise. In other words is it really alot closer to unfired than regular die sets... Thanks again Marty

Iowegan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2005, 07:24:44 PM »

Before you spend a bunch of bucks, buy a Wilson case. These handy little things will tell you a lot about your case dimensions. Yes, trimming the top of the shell holder is possible fix. I've found the cheap Lee shell holders are considerably thicker from the slot to the top than RCBS.

No doubt, you are working with a snug chamber. The only way to make your brass fit is to force the brass into your die a few thousandths farther. Pushing the shoulder back a few thousandths probably won't hurt a thing.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2005, 10:45:11 AM »

I notice that adds for 7.62 brass fired in machine guns recommend using small base dies when resizing. I resize the 7.62 mil brass into .300 Savage brass using RCBS small base dies and trimming to the correct length. Works great. Suspect the machine gun chambers are over sized when compared to sporting arms.

Seedsntrees · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:55:40 PM »

Hello, I always have good luck using the SBRD for autos, pumps, and levers. Had a bolt that would "drag" and had to use the SBRD. I don't thing I would try to "adjust" the shoulder since it could relate to headspace problems.

My "two-cents" worth of experience.

(the bolt was a rechamber .300 Savage Mauser Action) :eek:

Racepres · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2005, 04:32:44 AM »

Two thing in the way of update. The lee shell holder can certainly stand to be thinned and that is my next step. Not that worried abt a small headspace prob as will neck size only after initial fireform. By taking the decapper out of an old lochmiller 45 acp die and running case in all the way I did gain a bit so this is definitely another "stopgap measure... I bet thinning the shellholder and using this ACP die will get me back close to unfired spec.... Will let ya know if ya want... Marty

while99 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2005, 08:05:43 AM »

I've used a RCBS small base .30/06 die for over 30 years. I first bought it for loading my dad's 760 pump. I liked it so well I used it for my bolt guns also. Just last year I noticed that it was putting longitudinal scratches on the cases. I sent it back to RCBS for repair and they sent me not one, but two, brand-new .30/06 small base dies. Great customer service.
Another way to skin this cat is to get a 7/8 x 14 socket-head cap screw. Get a friend with a lathe to bore a hole through it that measures about .467 to .469 inch. That way you can use it for a small base die for any of the common calibers that share .30/06 head dimensions. And you won't alter the shoulder or neck dimensions on any of the cases that you size in it.