223 small base

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woodman45

New member
I just aquired a 223 rifle, Ruger Mini 14, and am shopping for reloading dies. What is ment by small base? Is there a large base and what is the difference.
 
This is from RCBS


Technical Information

Material: Steel
Die Types Included:

Small Base Sizer Die (with Expander-Decapping Unit)
Regular Seating Die (with Seater Plug)

Accessories:
Plastic storage case

Notes:
Applies a roll crimp.
Small base sizer dies are usually required for reloading ammunition to be used in automatic, semi-automatic, pump, slide and some lever-action rifles.
These dies size the case somewhat smaller in diamter and also set the shoulder back slightly more than a Full-Length sizer die to ensure poper functioning in the actions of these rifles.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR AMMUNITION IN BOLT-ACTION RIFLES.
Shellholder NOT included.

Application Charts & Information
 
"Regular Base" sizing dies are the ones we old guys grew up on, and the only ones most anyone needs.

"Small Base" are a (fairly) new option to ensure the hard-to-resize/near-solid base of the cartridge case is made absolutetly SAAMI minimum.

If you reload/shoot a lot of once-fired military ammunition in an autoloader, sizing at least the first the first time with a small-base die offsets the effects of larger machinegun chambers so you can depend on secure bolt closure. If you shoot in a bolt action you have the advantage of leverage and you may/may not need the small base at all. (But only trial/error will tell.)
 
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I don't know what version Mini you're shooting, mine is a 581 series and I use regular Lee dies. I've had no issues using the regular base dies. If you're buying new dies for the Mini then using the small base dies couldn't hurt I suppose but if you already have .223 dies then I'd try them first.

Stu
 
I have loaded for several AR's and one Mini 14 over the years with regular RCBS dies.

None of my .223 rifles have needed a small base die.

Also none of my Garands have needed one.
 
My Ar doesn't need small base sizing but my Mini-14 demands it. Whats a guy to do? I think its better to have the small base dies so that reliability is enhanced across the board, that is, you can be sure that your ammo will work in most any gun.
 
30Cal said:
You will need at least a FL sizing die (not a neck sizing die); possibly a small base.
Click to expand...

Like 30Cal I took the "Small Base" description to mean a "Full Length Resizing Die" (something you want in a semi-auto).
 
I've got M-1 Garand’s in 308 and '06. I have a couple of AR's I use to compete with. I have not found the need for a small base die. Having said that, I don't have a mini 14 in 223. BUT I cannot believe the mini would have a tight chamber.

The small base die will work your brass more than a regular die because its squeezing the brass smaller.
 
I have always found the Mini-14 to have much more generous chambers than the AR (both mine are 181 models). I use small base dies for my AR's but have not needed it from the Mini.
 
I have used regular dies in all my ARs until I found that my 6.8 wouldn't chamber my reloads even though they checked out fine in the headspace guage.

So I bought a SB die and it works great. I always start with a regular die and only get the SB die if necessary
 
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