what dies for a semi??

[bigsal5353]

putting my new LR 308 together and getting ready to but reloading components.... I have always used Forster benchrest 2 die set (FL resizer)... will these dies work, or would you suggest somethign else??

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Should work just fine. There are some semis that may benefit from small base dies, but most will do fine with regular F/L sizing dies. Just make sure you're bumping the shoulders back .003"-.005" and you should be ready to run. If you have any issues after that, THEN I might consider trying the S/B dies.

 

[rscott5028]

Yes. If you've had success with them before, you can continue to do so.

You will find several religious camps here supporting FL sizing, Bushing die neck sizing, and Lee Collet dies. ...plus the occasional Wilson hand die supporter.

All of these methods are useful. But, the pros and cons are often swayed by your own shooting agenda and preferences.

-- richard

 

[Firecat]

rcbs makes Full Length Small Base dies specifically for semi automatic rifles and pistols.

 

[rscott5028]

Sorry - I didn't catch the "semi-auto" in your question.

So, please don't flame me.

-- richard

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Sorry - I didn't catch the "semi-auto" in your question.

So, please don't flame me.

-- richard

A little smoke maybe, but never flames!

 

[bigsal5353]

thanks for the replies......im not one of those guys that flame people, that drives me nuts

 

[RT2506]

Some semi autos do need small base dies but most don't. Always FL size for semi autos though. You are asking for slam fire and other problems if you don't FL size. I have loaded for AR- 223, M1 Garand 30-06 and M1A 308 for a number of years and never saw the need for Small Base dies. The old Remington 742 30-06 rifles are the only semi autos that I ever personally seen that needed SB dies.

 

[Bart B]

Should work just fine. There are some semis that may benefit from small base dies, but most will do fine with regular F/L sizing dies. Just make sure you're bumping the shoulders back .003"-.005" and you should be ready to run. If you have any issues after that, THEN I might consider trying the S/B dies.

What this means is you need to get case headspace back to about what new ones are at. Most semiautos cycle more reliably with case headspace being 4 to 5 thousandths shorter than chamber headspace. Use an RCBS Precision Mic (or equivalent from another maker) to measure case headspace from head to shoulder reference. Case life won't be more than 3 to 5 reloads per case, but such is life with semi's. Don't set fired case shoulder back any more else incipient head separation will soon start.

Bolt guns typically do best when fired case headspace is set back no more than 2 thousandths.