Semi auto vs bolt dies - The Firearms Forum

skamania · 01-08-2011, 10:49 AM

I am looking to reload some 30 06 and 308 ammo, I am looking at the dies I have and the 30 06 is a small base and the 308 is a full lenth, will the 308 full length work for reloading for a semi auto?

woolleyworm · 01-08-2011, 11:24 AM

You shouldn't have any problems with the 308, unless your chamber tolerance is very tight. What are you shooting for 308, AR-10? What are you shooting the 30-06 out of?

gdmoody · 01-08-2011, 11:37 AM

I had to go with a small base when loading for my M1A. It didn't happen all the time but occasionally the brass wouldn't extract when I had only FL die to use. I thought all sorts of different things, so I made sure that I trimmed the brass with each reloading, checked seating of the bullet (length), and so forth. I could not figure out what the problem was. A friend who owned the shop where I bought the M1A told me to try the SB did. When I bought and started using the SB die, the problem stopped.

BTW, I have a brand new RCBS .308 Neck Size die that I will sell if any body is interested, PM me for price.

skamania · 01-08-2011, 12:24 PM

Shooting a browning BAR 30 06 and a RRA AR 10, shot factory ammo and no problems. What does the small base do diffrent?

woolleyworm · 01-08-2011, 12:48 PM

SB dies size the case full length, but they size it to a smaller dimension. Depends on the manuf, but typically by .002-.003"

I would suggest that you try the FL dies first, no need for SB dies if you don't need them. There isn't any advantage to using a SB die if the gun does just fine with FL sizing. The only slight disadvantage to SB dies is the fact that they work the brass just a little bit more. As to whether or not this affects case life in the real world, I don't have definitive proof, but simple logic implies that the more you work it, the shorter the life. Alot would depend on what loads you're going to use, ie How Hot?

woolleyworm · 01-08-2011, 01:00 PM

If you had a bolt gun and want peak accuracy; you would want a neck sizing die. Once the brass is fire formed ( first time you fire the cartridge in your gun ) then you size the neck only. The reload is only suitable for use in the gun in which it was fired. You can neck size only so much before you'll eventually have to give it a FL resize. Usually this is indicated by increased resistance while extracting; being familiar with the gun and loads will indicate when a FL resize is needed.

skamania · 01-08-2011, 01:36 PM

Thanks for all the information, getting ready to start on some and wanted to make sure all the my tees were crossed and i's dotted.

GBertolet · 01-08-2011, 01:56 PM

Get the small base die for the 308. Unless you have a real sloppy chamber, the small base die is added insurance for reliable functioning. The small base die brings the case back to factory dimensions.

steve4102 · 01-08-2011, 03:01 PM

I load for 3 Browning BAR's, 3 AR-15's and 2 Ruger Mini's and I have never found the need for a SB die. Go with the standard FL die before you waist any $$ on a SB die.

01-08-2011, 10:49 AM	#1
skamania Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: michigan Posts: 5	Semi auto vs bolt dies I am looking to reload some 30 06 and 308 ammo, I am looking at the dies I have and the 30 06 is a small base and the 308 is a full lenth, will the 308 full length work for reloading for a semi auto? -->

01-08-2011, 11:24 AM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies You shouldn't have any problems with the 308, unless your chamber tolerance is very tight. What are you shooting for 308, AR-10? What are you shooting the 30-06 out of? __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." . Last edited by woolleyworm; 01-08-2011 at 11:31 AM..

01-08-2011, 11:37 AM	#3
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,362	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies I had to go with a small base when loading for my M1A. It didn't happen all the time but occasionally the brass wouldn't extract when I had only FL die to use. I thought all sorts of different things, so I made sure that I trimmed the brass with each reloading, checked seating of the bullet (length), and so forth. I could not figure out what the problem was. A friend who owned the shop where I bought the M1A told me to try the SB did. When I bought and started using the SB die, the problem stopped. BTW, I have a brand new RCBS .308 Neck Size die that I will sell if any body is interested, PM me for price. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

01-08-2011, 12:24 PM	#4
skamania Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: michigan Posts: 5	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies Shooting a browning BAR 30 06 and a RRA AR 10, shot factory ammo and no problems. What does the small base do diffrent?

01-08-2011, 12:48 PM	#5
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies SB dies size the case full length, but they size it to a smaller dimension. Depends on the manuf, but typically by .002-.003" I would suggest that you try the FL dies first, no need for SB dies if you don't need them. There isn't any advantage to using a SB die if the gun does just fine with FL sizing. The only slight disadvantage to SB dies is the fact that they work the brass just a little bit more. As to whether or not this affects case life in the real world, I don't have definitive proof, but simple logic implies that the more you work it, the shorter the life. Alot would depend on what loads you're going to use, ie How Hot? __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." . Last edited by woolleyworm; 01-08-2011 at 01:04 PM.. Reason: addt'l info

01-08-2011, 01:00 PM	#6
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies If you had a bolt gun and want peak accuracy; you would want a neck sizing die. Once the brass is fire formed ( first time you fire the cartridge in your gun ) then you size the neck only. The reload is only suitable for use in the gun in which it was fired. You can neck size only so much before you'll eventually have to give it a FL resize. Usually this is indicated by increased resistance while extracting; being familiar with the gun and loads will indicate when a FL resize is needed. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

01-08-2011, 01:36 PM	#7
skamania Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: michigan Posts: 5	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies Thanks for all the information, getting ready to start on some and wanted to make sure all the my tees were crossed and i's dotted.

01-08-2011, 01:56 PM	#8
GBertolet Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 48	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies Get the small base die for the 308. Unless you have a real sloppy chamber, the small base die is added insurance for reliable functioning. The small base die brings the case back to factory dimensions.

01-08-2011, 03:01 PM	#9
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: Semi auto vs bolt dies I load for 3 Browning BAR's, 3 AR-15's and 2 Ruger Mini's and I have never found the need for a SB die. Go with the standard FL die before you waist any $$ on a SB die.