Accuracy And Small Base Dies?

[billt]

I just picked up a set of RCBS Small Base Reloading Dies in .308 to compliment my RCBS Competition Die set in that same caliber. My reason for this is I have recently acquired 2 new Springfield Armory M-1A rifles. A National Match, and a SOCOM 16. I also reload .308 for 2 Savage bolt actions, a Model 10-FP, and a Model 12-F/TR. My question is will I sacrifice anything in the accuracy department by running all of my brass through the small base sizer die? I could segregate it but that is a lot more work. Much of the brass I'll be reloading is new, so I don't think it will matter that much. Has anyone run any accuracy tests in this area? I'm a firm believer in full length resizing, and I don't feel it effects accuracy that much. However, with that said I have never run any direct accuracy tests in an attempt to establish a running difference either way between the two. Thoughts or comments?? Bill T.

[billt]

I should mention I shoot several rifles in the AR platform, two are LWRC weapons. I religiously use small base dies for all of my .223 / 5.56 MM reloading. I don't believe I sacrifice any accuracy by using small base dies in the .223 /5.56 MM caliber. I also shoot a CZ Model 527 LUX in .223, and it is quite accurate with the ammo reloaded with the small base dies. I just am not sure if that translates into anything different with the .308. Bill T.

[fightingquaker13]

Damn Bill!Between the beautiful wife, the great weather and the gun collection (not necessarily in that order), I'm surprised your not using those rifles to fend off DRTV members who want to come crash on your couch.
FQ13

[billt]

Hey, I just stocked up on Bud Light. The shootings done and it's time to relax!    Bill T.

[Pathfinder]

Hey, I just stocked up on Bud Light. The shootings done and it's time to relax!    Bill T.

See, now, Bill, right here we got us 2 problems already . . . .   

[Sponsor]

[m25operator]

Bill, I've seen some of the groups on the forum from your Savages, they shoot well and might shoot very well if only neck sized, its not real hard to keep up with your bolt action brass, I place my hand over the ejection port to catch the empties and keep a ziplock bag handy to toss them into. Collect up 50 of each, .223 and .308 in the respective rifles and just neck size them and try them out. Conventional wisdom says they will shoot better, but firearms are individual and you never know. Some times you can neck size with a small base die, blacken the neck of a cartridge with a sharpie, then lube, and run your sizing die up, and start sizing a little at a time until the neck is sized 3/4 of the way, that will hold the bullet, but not reduce the base.

If not your not trying to have 1/2" groups all the time, then don't worry, factory ammo is on the original dimension, and shoots very well in some firearms. .223 especially. 1 night at the press will show you whether its worth the effort.

Warning to all, I have a .223 CZ 527 that I love, and intended to only reload for it with all the tricks, so I bought nickel plated match brass, to tell it apart from every other .223 I own, the nickel plating is too thick with my standard neck resizing ball, and I had to ream all the necks to get them loose enough, to accept a bullet, once fired then, no problem.

As always +10 on the wife pic.

[billt]

If not your not trying to have 1/2" groups all the time, then don't worry, factory ammo is on the original dimension, and shoots very well in some firearms. .223 especially. 1 night at the press will show you whether its worth the effort.  As always +10 on the wife pic.

I'm going to try the full length, small base dies, and do as you suggest with the brass. We'll see what shakes out. As always, I'll keep you guys posted on any results.   Bill T.