Reloading for AR15: Standard or Small base die?

I just ordered a set of RCBS small base 223 dies last night. I am just starting to reload for the AR. I figured I would be better to start with the small base then to have to add it later if I needed too.

It depends....I use a SB die for range brass of unknown origin.
All other cases fired out of my AR's goes through a standard FL die or neck sizer only.

I've loaded for several AR's and semi-auto 30-06's and have never seen the need for small based dies. Overworks brass for no good reason. If you have an AR that won't chamber full length sized brass your AR has a defective chamber.

Standard RCBS die since 1970 for several AR-15's Mini-14's, and Remington & CZ bolt actions.

Never a problem with GI range brass, or any other brass.

rc

I recommend if you do not have dies for reloading for an AR-15, get a small base sizer die. It is good insurance to avoid problems.

If you already have a sizer die, no need to replace it, particularly if you uses cases only fired in your rifle until you run into chambering problems.

With the variety of 223 Remington/5.56 NATO chambers these days, with pick up or purchased once fired cases, you never know what you are going to get.

Standard Lee FL sizing die works well for my 3 Colts, BCM, and Daniel Defense.

I have an AR15 & just use a standard resizing/decapping die.

I would only bother with a small base die if I were having problems chambering rounds

Otto said:

It depends....I use a SB die for range brass of unknown origin.
All other cases fired out of my AR's goes through a standard FL die or neck sizer only.

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How did the neck only 0nes shoot? I did 20 like that, and I was told, and have read to use
FLR dies....just wondering.

Russellc

RCBS old standard die. The new has been redesigned.

2 of my AR's require SB to function 100%, so ALL my ammo that may be fired in any of my AR's gets the SB treatment. I have never understood the fear of SB dies some people have. They only size a bit farther down the case than std dies. RCBS recommends them for semiautos and lever and pump guns to prevent chambering problems. RCBS has been in the reloading business a lot longer than I have so I tend to trust their judgement. YMMV

RussellC said:

How did the neck only 0nes shoot? I did 20 like that, and I was told, and have read to use
FLR dies....just wondering.

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I get 1/2 MOA with Sierra MK's. I neck size brass that's only fired in my guns.
You're right, it's recommended to FL size all brass for service rifles...but I just do what works for me.

FL and small base only die , , guess I can't vote ,and small base only die ,, only if I need to, but my AR is not a 223 /5.56 ,and I see the OP did not say what cal.

I pondered this very question not too long ago and the consensus was that SB resizing dies are not needed.

I got the sb dies as well, sounds like maybe not needed,oh well-never had a jamb yet in the bushmaster predator.

Unless you are blowin through SAW brass, or have a way out of whack chamber- SBD not necessary

I've run across some that needed the SB die, but most have functioned just fine with a standard FL die, which is why I voted out of necessity.

GS

blarby said:

Unless you are blowin through SAW brass, or have a way out of whack chamber- SBD not necessary

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I disagree that SAW cases are the only ones that need small base 223 Remington size dies.

Cases fired in one of my AR-15s then run through a standard full size die will not chamber in one of my other AR-15s. But they will chamber if I use a small base die.

If I segregate the cases by rifle they were fired in, then a standard resize die works fine.

And, yes the dies are set correctly and resize cases gauge properly in a 223 Remington case gauge. (Remember, most bottle neck case gauges do not gauge the body of the case, only overall length and shoulder position.)

I have reloaded many thousands of rounds of military 5.56, most of it SAW fired, and I have never used a SB die to resize any of it. I shoot it in a Mini 14, any of three AR platforms, and an M16 rifle. Never had a problem with any of it. I resize all my rifle brass on a Rockchucker, trim if needed, then prime it on an RCBS bench mounted Autoprime, and then go to a Dillon to complete loading.

A small base die is a gimmick solution for folks who refuse to set a FL die up properly IE a quarter turn INTO shellholder contact.

What isn't a gimmick for ar15 loading and is infinitely useful is a case gauge.