does it hurt to resize brass with small base dies; and then use it in bolt actions or single shot falling blocks,or should go out and buy the full size dies.by the way the calibres that i am reloading is .223 and .308.
thanks in advance

RR

It is generally accepted that the less you size your brass, the longer it will last; also the better it will "fit" and center in the chamber. Most of the time sb dies are reservered for use in reloading for pumps and autoloaders IF they need it for smooth chambering (due to their not having the camming action of the bolt or falling-block actions).

Bob

Can I assume you're going to use the reloads in a bolt action rifle? You can resize with a USB die. It'll be a fairly sloppy fit. After firing it'll blow the dimension back out to what they were before the USB sizing. In time you'll doubtlessly overwork the brass this way. I think I would resort to a neck sizing die and only use the USB die once. You'll get a much better fit in your bolt action rifle that way. Of course, you can use a full length sizing die instead of a neck sizer.
It's your choice. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Small base dies, I will give you chapter and verse: (I am assuming you are looking for the best accuracy you can get and good case life.) Measure the base of a case that has been completely fireformed. Now, run it in you resizing die. You want the base to be sized down .001 and you want the shoulder to be sized down .001. AND you should bump the shoulder back between .001 and .0015. IF your sizing die doesn't size the base at least .001, then go to the small base die!!! Simple as that>>>>Cris284w