SB dies

[Arkansas Paul]

Hey everyone.
We were recently a victim of theft, where all of our reloading equipment was stolen from my brother's shop. We're in the process of replacing everything and a friend had a set of .280 Rem dies and no rifle chambered for the caliber. He gave them to me for free to help us out, but I noticed they were SB dies. I know they size the case a couple thousanths smaller. My .280 is in a NEF Handi Rifle, so I don't figure I'll need the SB dies. Should I just use them anyway, or should I go ahead and buy a FL die? I think I can just buy the sizing die, and just use the seating die that came with the one he gave me, but I don't know if there's enough difference to matter.

Thanks for the help.

 

[ranger335v]

I'd sure use what I had at least until I find some valid reason to change.

 

[M1key]

I have reloaded ammo for decades and never needed a SB sizing die. I tried one in 308 once on someone's suggestion. Case looked like a Coke bottle when I was finished.

I would just get a standard set. SB sizers unnecessarily overwork the brass.

M

 

[greg531mi]

I had to use Small Base RCBS dies on my 308 HK.....The Full length dies jammed in the chamber......
I now buy only Lee dies, after many broken RCBS depriming pins.....

 

[918v]

Case looked like a Coke bottle when I was finished.

A quality SB die from a reputable manufacturer does not leave the case looking like a coke bottle. It sizes the case another .001-.002" which is hardly overworking it.

 

[Slamfire]

Should I just use them anyway, or should I go ahead and buy a FL die? I think I can just buy the sizing die, and just use the seating die that came with the one he gave me, but I don't know if there's enough difference to matter

I use small base dies in every caliber I can find them. All of my .223, 308 and 30-06 has to fit in multiple rifles, and small base dies make that possible. Plus all of these rounds are also fired in gas guns, not just bolt rifles.

Bolt guns with their large cams, massive leverage, make reloaders sloppy. So many bolt gunners just crunch fit their ammunition to their chambers, and think nothing of it, because they don't notice what they are doing. In fact they brag about "neck sizing", partial neck sizing, etc, all practices that will jam a gas gun.

A couple of things about small base dies, small Base dies can push the shoulder further back than you want. You should use a case gage to set up your dies. You should use a case gage to set up any bottlenecked cartridge, small base or not.



Set your shoulder about .003" back from a fired case, or just size to gage minimum.

You have to use a good case lube or you will stick a case in the die. Imperial sizing wax or RCBS water solube work for me. Spray on lubes are not sufficient.

 

[M1key]

A quality SB die from a reputable manufacturer does not leave the case looking like a coke bottle. It sizes the case another .001-.002" which is hardly overworking it.

Brand new RCBS. Do you know of any crappy ones?

All full length resizing works the brass.

 

[M1key]

Slamfire,

Over the years, I have reloaded for all kinds of military and sporting autoloaders, match and standard grade, in multiple calibers, bolt action match rifles, bench rest rifles, custom-builds with tight chambers and necks, etc. and I never needed SB dies. I use the RCBS "X" dies to get better case life.

Even shot neck-sized only loads (by mistake) through different ARs and match chambered M1As and they functioned flawlessly. Didn't find out until I got home.

To the OP, I recommend you replace with standard dies. I would only use SB sizers in an extreme case, and I doubt you will ever encounter a problem.

M

 

[918v]

Brand new RCBS. Do you know of any crappy ones?

All full length resizing works the brass.

I think you are exagerating.

 

[M1key]

perhaps

 

[DM~]

I've seen the need for SB dies in "some" semi auto rifles, and also for some break open rifles, when using higher pressure loads. SO, they do have their use, but generally you don't need them for less then max loads and when keeping the brass separated for each rifle of the same cartridge.

DM

 

[ants]

The original question...

Q: Can you use it to resize your 280 Rem?

A: Sure.


Adjust the SB sizing die to get your normal headspace, just like you always do. It will be capable of reducing the 'headspace' a whole lot more, but if adjusted normally it will pinch your case body only about .0005" farther than your old die. The bottom of the die will be a full turn or two above the shellholder. No big deal. Your favorite loads will still shoot.



And be sure to thank your friend. Friends like that we gotta keep.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

And be sure to thank your friend. Friends like that we gotta keep.

Trust me, I did. He's an old country boy from Alabama and there's not a better guy anywhere. He was trying to find a set of .223 dies he said he had, but couldn't find them. Later he remembered he'd given them to someone else. That's just the kind of guy he is.