Small base 223 dies

[viking499]

What is the advantage or purpose of using a small base sizing die when reloading 223 for shooting in an ar?

 

[BsChoy]

If memory serves it means that the brass is resized down to absolute bare minimum so that if the round is put into a slightly undersized chamber it will still fit without issue. They are meant for semiauto/auto guns to improve chambering and reduce malfunctions.

 

[rcmodel]

Not needed.

I have reloaded .223 for AR's, Mini-14's, and bolt-actions for almost 40 years now, using GI brass and standard RCBS .223 dies.
Without a need for small-base dies.

If you have a very tight match chamber, or certain models of lever, pump, or semi-auto commercial guns, it might be necessary, but I haven't seen it yet so far.

rcmodel

 

[Ben Shepherd]

True, shouldn't be needed, but if I were buying dies for the first time and my gun was anything but a bolt action, that'd be my choice.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've loaded .223 for bolt, semi, pump and break action single shots

Not once have I need e a small base die set, the only thing SB dies will do fer ya is overwork your brass sooner

 

[Galil5.56]

I have an SB size die for 30/06 that I bought in the dark ages with intent to load M1, 742, BAR rounds, and just back the SB die off a bit to use in bolt guns... Seems to work just peachy. Can't recall what spacer/feeler gage thickness I use off hand to make the adjustment quick and fast?

FWIW, I use a std resizer in .223 for use in SA rifles with absolutely no problems experienced or expected. YMMV.

 

[tkcomer]

I guess I'm different. Got an M-16 and a Mini 14. This was in the 80s before the 'net and I knew about a case gage. My M-16 would have failures to chamber on the third loadings. Mini digested them just fine. Went to the small base die and the M-16 had no further problems. Maybe I had a tight chamber in the 16. Don't know. But I still use those small base dies.

 

[kelbro]

I have seen several ARs lately that DID need SB dies to feed reliably. None of my three need them but since they were the first 223 dies that I bought, I still use them. Some of my brass has over 15 sizings logged and don't seem to be overworked.

You probably don't need them but they won't hurt anything. Depending on what you use the rifle for, they may be the best insurance that your loads chamber every time.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've found that in 99% of threads advocating or inquiring about the need to purchases SB dies the need magically disappears once proper die adjustment procedures are followed. IE camming the press ram over against the die by 1/4 turn.

Even the sturdiest presses have a surprising amount of upward flex in the frame, breaking the toggle over against the die eliminates this. But the bottom line is if you're just kissing the die with the shellholder you're only partial length resizing

 

[GRIZ22]

I tried small base dies about 30 years ago and found no use for them. I've loaded for a variety of 223/5.56 rifles with standard dies and have had no problem. I load 308, 30-06, and 270 Win for semi-auto rifles with standard dies and no problems.

 

[MMCSRET]

I have found that most of my SB requirements were around cartridges used in Savage 99 and Remington 740 and 760 models, also Browning Bar.