RCBS AR Series Dies

41rem

41rem

New member
Looking to reload for my RRA LAR-15 in 5.56mm. Like the looks of these dies, they do run about $10 more than a standard set. But then they a small base & come with a taper crimp on the seating die, both of which I like the sound of.

Anyone using them?


41
 
i have a RCBS small base sizing die, but as of this time the only use i have for them is first time processing of military brass to remove any machine gun bulge down at the base of the cartridge. i look at it kind of like swaging to remove crimps.

to date none of my guns have needed the small base dies ( which resize to SAMMI minimum) to chamber successfully after firing in my guns.

in regard to crimping, i'm using lee Factory Crimp dies to do a taper crimp as a separate operation instead of trying to seat AND crimp at the same time. when i bought my small base die, i already had a set of dies so i didnt feel the need to get the set that included the combo seating and crimping die when i purchased my SB die to deal with some raw LC i had picked up. I'm loading on a hornady LNL AP so the 5th station was free anyway, which makes a great place for the crimp die. I'm only putting a light (1/4 turn) crimp on my loads.
 
The 6x45 small base RCBS die I have runs $17 less than the standard dies, no reason that should ever be IMO.
They are doing the job perfectly.
I don't crimp any of my loads.
 
I bought a set because they were on sale and cheaper than normal dies. The "seating" die that comes with it is a joke. There is nothing to align the bullet with the case. The "seater" looked like I was looking head on at the writing end of a pen. I had to hit the small opening from the point of the pen with the tip of the bullet to get it to seat and since my fingers can't go into the die to hold the bullet perfectly straight I couldn't get it to seat a bullet at all. Maybe I got a lemon but I was so annoyed I didn't want that thing around at all so I bought a cheap seating die of a different brand
 
Last edited:
I've never had an issue using standard dies. I use lee dies and they come with a separate crimp die which just sits on the shelf and collects dust.
 
Good thing I asked before purchasing.

If these are a complete bust I'll just get a standard set. I do use the Lee factory crimp die on my other reloading calibers. Like that little die.
 
There's nothing wrong with them if you want a small base die set. I had a set in 6x45 and they worked great.
 
So if your loading for semi auto loaders, either 7.62 or 5.56 you can get away with not crimping the bullet? Or are you saying you are "roll" crimping instead of "taper" crimping? I'm just getting ready to load for my M1A and was going to pick up a set of the RCBS small base AR series dies in .308. I have the regular .308 dies already and have worked up a load for my MVP bolt and wanted to see how it worked in the M1A.
 
You don't have to crimp. I've got an m1a and ar and not had a problem without crimping. Sometimes I crimp sometimes I don't, just depends on my mood and what bullet I'm using. Just make sure you use an appropriate powder/bullet or an adjustable gas plug for the m1a
 
with proper neck tension crimping isnt always necessary - either roll or taper. i loaded for my ar15 for about 4 years before i bought a crimp die (a Lee FCD taper crimp). While my dies are capable of applying a roll crimp, i found that by setting them that way you can sometimes inadvertently set the die incorrectly and crimp before you get fully seated. this can cause crushed shoulders, etc. and pulling a heavily roll crimped bullet is a SOB, so i just set my dies for no crimp seating. when i decided i was going to start crimping i went and got a separate die for it to make sure it was being done in the easiest fashion, and as possibly error free as i could make it.

if you want to test if you're getting any setback, load up a dummy round. just brass & bullet, but otherwise treat it as if you were loading a full cartridge. Measure it, put it in the mag and chamber it under full action from BHO either by letting the charging handle fly, or hitting the bolt release. do this 5-10 times. feel free to measure several time throughout the testing.

if your bullet is getting set back in the case, especially if its only after 2 or 3 chamberings, you should probably consider crimping. if theres no setback at all after 10 chamberings, your neck tension is sufficent and you likely have no need to crimp at all.

for me using the taper crimp die allows me to ensure that my neck tension is consistent. when i'm making hunting loads that may see 5+ chamberings during hunting season, this starts to become important. personally after i chamber any round more than 5-6 times, even if its crimped... it goes to the bottom of the mag and the next one in line takes over the job.
 
Last edited:
Well, I think it's sure worth a try. I'll be "testing" the set back using your method and see what happens. Thanks to the "experienced" loaders here, and their wealth of information, I've been able to get into reloading as if being taught in a classroom. For that I am very grateful to you all. This reloading is really pretty cool once you start to understand the advantages you get over factory ammo offerings, but you know that already don't you.
smile.gif
 
And not to mention the cost savings when using a match bullet. Instead of $1 or more for "match" ammo you can have better ammo for $0.40 or less. The cost savings really add up fast then. Sounds like you are on the right path from your other post with your 168 smk with H4895. And one more "lesson" for you if you haven't received it yet, look up shooters pro shop (often referred to as sps). The sell blem and overrun nosler bullets and often times have fantastic prices and $12 flat rate shipping. A couple years ago I got a ton of 155 grain 30 cal custom competition blems for less than $15/hundred shipped during a black Friday sale. Ended up with 4 40+lb boxes worth of lead and shipped halfway across the country and you guessed it shipping was $12. Dang near gave myself a hernia lifting the dolly up small step, lol. I haven't found a speck or anything wrong with them.
 
Back
Top