Small base die needed to reload for AR-15?

H

Hunt

New member
I'm looking at starting to reload for my AR-15 and my Stevens 200. Do I need to use a small-base die for my AR-15? If so, will this die work for my Stevens 200 as well? My main concern is getting rounds to not chamber in the AR-15. Thanks...
 
The die size is determined by the cartridge base. .223 (for AR) will require small base die. Don't know what your Stevens is chambered for. If .223 then the same. If not, then what cartridge is it?
cb
 
I load for my CAR-15 using the regular FL die. I do not have problem with chambering.

The critical requirement for success is to raise the ram with the shell holder in place all the way up and then screw the FL sizer die all the way until it touches the top of the shell holder. That would ensure the case gets maximum sizing for smooth chambering.
 
Only time that I reloaded that caliber was for a Mini 14 and that rifle wouldn't chamber a reload if it wasn't resized on a small base die. Try with a full length die but don't be suprised if you need to go to a small base die. Although you can use the ammo in either rifle you will probably find that you need to keep the reloads for one seperated from the other, or marked in some way to avoid confusion; and this will allow you to develop loads for each rifle.
Be carefull.
 
My personal opinion is that small base dies are used far more often than they are actually needed.

Have heard that they were needed for the M1 Garand, M14/M1A and the AR. I have loaded for many years without needing a small base die and load for four M1's, an M1A and an AR15.

When resizing brass fired in a machinegun, I suspect the small base die might be necessary to bring the base of the case back down to fit the (usually) tighter rifle chamber, but have never tried to reload such brass, so just speculating.

Use of a small base die when not necessary only overworks your case, resulting in short case life. I would (and have) try the standard die first and then add the small base die if you find you need it. JMHO.

Regards,
hm
 
Unless you have a tight match chambered rifle (most often is will be a custom tube) you do not need a small base die.

I have reloaded for no less than 3 different AR's and M1's and never needed a small base die for any of them.

Just use your regular dies and FL and you will be fine.
 
Quote:
Do I need to use a small-base die for my AR-15?


I've reloaded for an AR15 for a couple of years now and have only used the FL die. Never had a problem so far. I believe I asked the same question back then and the general concensus was that the small based dies were not needed for the AR's.
 
I use small base dies for reloading for any auto-loader. It insures that the cartridge will chamber, but it works the brass more at the head. Since I'm big into using military brass that was previously shot in an unknown weapon (SAW, M-16, etc.) I figure it's a gurantee I won't have a failure to chamber. Using a small-base die has never caused me any problems in any of my weapons, but it requires more force to size the cartridge and I've ripped the case rim off a few of them over the years. Buy a stuck case extractor if you go with small base dies, you'll need it at some point I bet. It also leads me to believe that some military brass is bulged at the base quite heavily. (And yes, I was using good case lube) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Oly rifles tend to have a tight chamber, my friend had to use some fairly heavy force to extract unfired rounds from his PCR a couple of times, but they chambered and fired just fine. He doesn't believe in small-base dies either. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm sure there is more "slop" in a case that's been through the small-base die vs. a standard FL sizer, it wouldn't surprise me if it degrades the accuracy slightly.
 
Have seen numerous auto loaders of mine not close under extremely cold conditions. They would chamber fine in normal temperature.Went to small base dies and they would all close at any tmep. Have a BAR 243 that did not close at -27F degrees with two coyotes directly in front of me.
 
I believe this has to do with the dies. Have seen some dies work and some not. I have used sm bs dies and reg dies. The chamber the rounds were fire in makes the most difference to me. If from oversized chamber they are junk.
 
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