Small Base Dies ?

[7.62-chunker]

after along time of shooting "cheap' surplus, I now find that the only way to keep up this bad habit is to reload, O.K. I got the brass, I got the bullets, I got the powder, I got the primers, ..........ARE SMALL BASE DIES needed for reloading for semi's. My CETME, FAL, CAI 91, ? I need to know asap as i am going to set up my bench next week. Good Shooting, And Thanks,

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I haven't found the need for small base dies with my CETME and it's chamber.

Now, whether other CETMEs having tighter chambers I don't know.

I'm sure we will both learn the answer as people respond.

[Jacobite]

I have never used small base dies for any rifle, AR,Cetme,FAL or M1 Garand. I never shot many reloads through the Cetme or FAL but put lots through the AR and M1. What I have found VERY important is trimming brass to min. spec.

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I have never used small base dies for any rifle, AR,Cetme,FAL or M1 Garand. I never shot many reloads through the Cetme or FAL but put lots through the AR and M1. What I have found VERY important is trimming brass to min. spec.


I agree with trimming any case that might be over spec.

I have a friend that reloads M1 .30 cal and he says the reloads will not chamber unless the cases are run through the small bass die sizer. That's the only example I am aware of so far.

[Jacobite]

I agree with trimming any case that might be over spec.

I have a friend that reloads M1 .30 cal and he says the reloads will not chamber unless the cases are run through the small bass die sizer. That's the only example I am aware of so far.

I have had no trouble.

[Geilt]

Funny you should ask about this. I've been doing some research on this over the past week or so because I've had the same question. Most die manufacturers highly recommend using small based dies when reloading for any auto/semiauto/lever/pump rifle. They make it sound like any non-bolt action rifle could benefit from rounds reloaded with small based dies. I personally don't like the idea of reworking the brass this much every time I reload. Its just too much stretching of the case to get it back to standard. As we know, the more we stretch the brass the quicker there will be a head seperation or cracks at the neck or shoulder. None of which are desirable.

On the Cetme/G3/91 line of rifles you may not see a difference using a small based die vs neck sizing. The bolt really throws some weight behind it when chambering a round. The round would have to be really out of spec to get it to hang up while chambering.

You may want to consider using one though if you're reloading your first series off previously shot brass, especially from the M60 and/or M240. The chambers on these are just "a bit short and fat compared to SAAMI standards". This means the brass will be blown out a bit more than brass from other arms. If you do decide to use s small based die on brass cycled through one of either of these be sure to lube the cases a tiny bit more than you normally would. Don't go crazy on it, just a little more than normal. The reason being is that the brass will definitely be ouside spec and need a little extra effort to resize and help prevent the case from binding up in the die. Once you've run the reloads through the rifle you can switch back to using a neck sizing die.

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I have had no trouble.


Not surprising as I suspect it depends on the gun.

Most suspect are the military semi-autos though I have read even new commercial bolt actions require the small base sizer for some poeple.

[Geilt]

I think the real answer here is to find the type of dies that work for that specific rifle and carefully checking each case before reloading. We're not reloading for anything better than 2MOA in my opinion.

[NavajoNPaleFace]

.....We're not reloading for anything better than 2MOA in my opinion.

I am. I don't think reloading to be anything but precision. LOL.

[Geilt]

I am. I don't precision reloading to be anything but precision. LOL.

(smirk)
OK, let me rephrase that then... I don't think I can personally hope for more precision than 2MOA from my two Cetmes and I don't get all worked up if my reloads can't get better than that.

Of course I am trying to find a load that they really like and if I can get better I won't ignore the results.

[NavajoNPaleFace]

(smirk)
OK, let me rephrase that then... I don't think I can personally hope for more precision than 2MOA from my two Cetmes and I don't get all worked up if my reloads can't get better than that.

Of course I am trying to find a load that they really like and if I can get better I won't ignore the results.

I know what you were getting at and I was being a horses butt in jest.

I agree that anything better than 2-3MOA in a CETME reload at 100 yards is wishful thinking.

Although I have a couple of good reloads for my CETME most of my precision loads...really precision loads...are for my bolt actions.