308 SB Sizing die neccessary?

[627PCFan]

I'm putting together an order for 308 reloading equipment for my PTR-91. Should I bother with a Small base sizing die? I'm thinking the PRT has a pretty generous chamber, but its possible that the once fired brass may have been fired in a MG. Thoughts?

 

[adcoch1]

Check your brass closely, dont the hk variants all have fluted chambers?

 

[627PCFan]

Yup, apparently it can be reloaded but I'm treating this as an initial loading only. I dont expect to reload my brass so Ill be only buying once fired brass to start with

 

[medalguy]

I've reloaded a lot of fluted chamber cases. Nothing different at all. Generally I reload 5 times and toss the brass whether fluted chamber or not.

And I'd try standard dies first. I reload for a lot of different gas rifles and use MG fired brass, and use standard base dies for all.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have a 308 SB Die. Its the tail of four rifles and LC Brass. When I first got the brass I loaded it for my FN FAL. No issues ever. I then used it for specific loads in my M1A. It would not eject. Tried the same in my AR10 and it wouldn't chamber. My Remington 700 also would not chamber the stuff. Bough a LE Wilson chamber gauge. My loaded ammo was just a hair from properly fitting. I thought it was the Lee dies I was using so I purchased a set of C&H dies. Same problem. I then did some research, probably right here and got the small base. Problem solved. I sorted all brass and loaded ammo by what would fit in the gauge and what would not. Those that did not, got the small base. No further problems. They only needed the SB once. Those rounds already loaded got their bullets pulled and then resized again.

 

[Reloadron]

I have several .308 Winchester caliber rifles including a M1A NM, an AR-10(T) Armalite and a Remington 700 custom bolt gun, all over 25 years old. While I have .308 Winchester SB Dies I have never used them or needed them. I have loaded new brass, brass I have previously fired in my rifles and once fired GI brass I purchase from a forum member.

While the Competition Full Length RCBS dies are sweet neither those or the small base dies have been a must have for me. Some will argue the SB dies overwork the brass? I really can't say but I don't see it hurting to have a set.

Ron

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

My Remington 700 tactical would not chamber .308 brass that was sized in a Lee die.

I bought an RCBS small base die and they glide in like butter.

I only need it for brass that I buy. I only need to neck size brass that was previously fired in my gun.

 

[stoky]

I went to a small base die to remedy an occasional failure to feed in an M1A, exhibited by the cartridge not going fully into battery. Out of curiosity (and maybe not the smartest thing I've ever done ), I fired the cartridges that wouldn't run in the M1A in my H&K 91 and they all cycled fine.
It depends on the rifle, or more specifically the chamber. I'd bet you'll not have a issue in the PTR.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, you only need a SB due when you need one. Buy a standard set of .308 dies and you should be fine.