223 small base or FL

[TKCastle]

Was in Phillips wholesale, rich and another knowledgable fellow said I need to use small base dies. Gonna start reloading 223 and I'm reading mixed info. What do you use and why?

Thanks.

[Divernhunter]

For semi-auto, pump, lever actions I have used SB dies mostly. For bolt action I have used FL or neck sizer type dies mostly. I have been known to shoot ammo sized with SB dies in my bolt actions and if they will feed/function I have used FL sized brass in the semi-auto, pump, lever actions.

Sometimes the semi etc will not function well unles you use a SB sizer die.

[stand125]

I have both rcbs SB and lee FL and the lee FL dies cycle just as good and smooth as SB.

[highpower790]

Unless your running with a tight match chamber,most will not need a small base die.I use one, I do run match chambers.Also usefull if your wanting to make sure of trouble free extraction in multiple firearms.

[rcslotcar]

I use SB in several semi rifles, no problems ever.

[M1NM]

I've been loading 223 since the mid 80s. Used in several Mini14, AR15 and Ruger No1. I've never needed a SB die for any reloading.

[baih777]

if you are shooting your own once fired brass, FL is fine.
if your buying some once fired brass from the internet, which may be military brass, you might need the SB die. once fired thru your rifle. FL die will work.

[kcstott]

I have reloaded .223 for 20+ years never once needed a SB die, I also have a SB die for .308 don't need it either. .223 rounds feed just fine out of three AR's and one TC pistol.

My .308 load work just fine out my Mk11 and my 700. no need for a small base die at all.

By the way I keep all my brass segregated to each rifle. except the .223 that's just range trash and I don't compete with a .223 so it's loaded to nato specs and treated as such.

[Spanky8601]

I sometimes have issues cambering when using brass in my S&W 586. I also use the same brass in my Marlin lever. It seems like the brass is bulged near the base.

Would a small base die solve the issue?

[stilly]

I thought SB dies WERE FL dies, just with a SB... Perhaps OP meant NS vs FL ?

And with that said, You can use SB dies, but word on the street is that you do not need that for ARFs and other semis, the SB was correcting issues that were made up.

But if you wanna work your brass more and trim more off, go for it.

[Divernhunter]

^^^They must have made up the issues with a rifle I owned then. It was a semi-auto 30-06 and FL die sized brass gave me problems. Got a SB die and no more problems.

FL dies do not size brass back to factory specs. SB dies size brass closer to factory new specs. SB dies are not required for most uses. They even made a extra small base die for Browning semi-auto rifles at one time. I do not know if they still do.

[kcstott]

FL dies do not size brass back to factory specs. SB dies size brass closer to factory new specs. SB dies are not required for most uses. They even made a extra small base die for Browning semi-auto rifles at one time. I do not know if they still do.

I don't know where you got that idea. Factory ammo?? who's factory??

.223 ammo is sized for .223 chambers. 5.56nato is sized for 5.56 nato chambers.

5.56 nato has to work every Nato 5.56 weapon made. which means sized way undersize of minimum.

5.56nato weapon list

.223 was designed to work in bolt rifles so it is closer to chamber spec and not very far undersized. which is why it may not work well in some non spec 5.56 chambers in semi rifles,

Bigger chambers and smaller cartridges make for easy feeding, Look at the AK 47 that ammo head spaces .2-.3mm under minimum so it's virtually guaranteed to feed

[Divernhunter]

Factory new brass to industry standards.
If you think 223 and 5.56 brass has different external dimensions you are wrong. The difference is in the cut of the chamber especially the throat for the 5.56 to allow longer bullets and keep pressures down for the load of the cartridge. Also 223 and 5.56 are usually measured using different standards for pressure---such as CUP vs. PSI. They do not equal each other
The brass of 5.56NATO is not undersized. The chambers are cut oversize. 303Brit rifles are known for reliable feeding also and it is not due to undersize brass but very generous chambers.

[ar15robert]

No issues with FL rcbs dies in my ar or mini 14.Most of my brass comes from friends rifles they left so it isnt gun specific either.

IMO use FL dies and if issues then go to SB as last resort.

[Divernhunter]

^^^ That is what I did and now use the SB die even for other than the one rifle that gave me trouble. Mine are RCBS dies also.