Hello all, Let me pick your brains. I have this set of RCBS .223 dies that I've had for awhile that I bought used with no box. This particular sizing die seems to size the aera just above the case head a bit more than most FL sizing dies. So I'm left wondering if this is a small base sizing die.

the die has (.223 rem F.L. 77) engraved on the top.

According to the die, you have a .223 die manufactured in 1977. The only set of RCBS dies that were small base were marked sb next to the caliber. Perhaps you got a die that is on the small side of specs.

quote:

Originally posted by flutedchamber:
According to the die, you have a .223 die manufactured in 1977. The only set of RCBS dies that were small base were marked sb next to the caliber. Perhaps you got a die that is on the small side of specs.

Probably so, according to my mic the aera in question is sized appx .003 more than the case head itself. I think this may work to my advantage as I'm loading for a Remington pump.

You sure somewhere along the line it wasn`t ground down a bit to make a SB die out of it for some reason? I would, just to be on the safe side, check the head space of a round sized fully to make sure it isn`t altered there if it has been ground.
Just a thought since you say it was bought used.