The Accurate Reloading Forums
Reloading Dies for an AR-15
13 July 2007, 01:59
sdeshazoReloading Dies for an AR-15
I’m wanting to reload for an AR & really hate the RCBS dies I bought & plan on getting a set of Redding but I hear a lot about the small base dies for AR’s & that they will make your brass feed better. Have anyone heard anything about this?
Here is a link to the small base die I’m looking at.
Small Base DiesIf I cannot talk myself into the small base dies this is what I will go with.
S-Type DiesBest Regards.
Stay away from small base dies for the AR!
quote:
The Redding Type S Match Bushing 2-Die Set

13 July 2007, 05:12
hm1996Small base dies will over work your brass; as DaMan stated, stay away from them.
Regards,
hm
2 Chronicles 7:14:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
13 July 2007, 06:33
molar1quote:
Originally posted by DaMan:
Stay away from small base dies for the AR!
quote:
The Redding Type S Match Bushing 2-Die Set
Nice to see you outside the political forum for a change. Looks like we finally agree on something

13 July 2007, 06:40
DwightShawn,
If you get the Type S bushing dies get the nitride bushings. They cost a little more but worth it.
13 July 2007, 08:05
243winxbquote:
Originally posted by sdeshazo:
I’m wanting to reload for an AR & really hate the RCBS dies I bought & plan on getting a set of Redding but I hear a lot about the small base dies for AR’s & that they will make your brass feed better. Have anyone heard anything about this?
Here is a link to the small base die I’m looking at.
Small Base DiesIf I cannot talk myself into the small base dies this is what I will go with.
S-Type DiesBest Regards.
The type s bushing die will not size the neck all the way to the shoulder, this part of the unsized neck can drag when the round chambers. I know i can feel it witha bolt action after 3 or 4 firings. I have not used bushing dies in my AR. So just a guess here, could be wrong. Standard chamber, standard dies work for me.
13 July 2007, 08:16
cv1973i have two ar-15 and use rcbs and dillon with no problems.
What sdeshazo would want for the AR is the Type S – Full Bushing Die.
"Full length resizing while maintaining exact control of the case neck is often desirable in one operation. The new Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die accomplishes this task with the precision you would expect from Redding."

13 July 2007, 18:51
sdeshazoThanks guys for all the help, I'll go ahead 7 order the Type-s.
13 July 2007, 23:49
Swede44magI use the RCBS small base die for any shells that have been fired in another rifle once fired or picked up off the ground at the range. I use a set of Wilson Bushing Bench Rest Dies for my .223 Remmy XR-100 I dont know just what I will use when I get a AR-15.
Good luck
Swede
---------------------------------------------------------
NRA Life Member
14 July 2007, 00:53
RiflemanZI use rcbs 2 die set for my RRA ar15,whats your hangup with rcbs dies? I have no problems!
*We Band of .338 ers*.NRA Member
14 July 2007, 01:14
Blammersmall base dies are not needed for your AR 15, I'd stay away from that headache.
15 July 2007, 07:00
BuliwyfSmall base dies are used for a custom chamber. Use standard die set with factory chamber.
29 July 2007, 09:57
plowboyquote:
Originally posted by RiflemanZ:
I use rcbs 2 die set for my RRA ar15,whats your hangup with rcbs dies? I have no problems!
Same here I have used the same RCBS dies for my SP1 since 1987.
29 July 2007, 21:04
AtkinsonSmall base dies are not for custom chambers, they are for automatics, lever actions, and some pump guns..I use them for all my Savage 99 rifles and for the ARs and Mini 14 that I have owned or issued in the past..some custom ARs today have very tight chambers for accuracy reasons and they require SB dies.
SB dies technically over work brass to some degree, but the difference in longivity on brass may be one loading, if that, try it before you pass it on,never believe all you read..the SB ammo also works better when the chamber starts fouling up or in a battle situation like shooting several hundred rock chucks or P dogs over a short period of time..
RCBS are as good as dies get, I have used them for years without any problems. Most problems with any of todays better dies are user error.
It is correct that in most ARs that std. dies work, as they have pretty sloppy chambers like most factory guns have, and being a defense weapon, sloppy chambers have some good points, same can be said for the 1911 Colt, but again I like dies that resize tight.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
29 July 2007, 21:45
Rick Rquote:
Originally posted by plowboy:
quote:
Originally posted by RiflemanZ:
I use rcbs 2 die set for my RRA ar15,whats your hangup with rcbs dies? I have no problems!
Same here I have used the same RCBS dies for my SP1 since 1987.
I've had my small base RCBS dies since the early 1980's. They may be worn to standard dimensions by now

I've never had a problem with case life, I did have problems finding the fired cases from my Mini-14 so I replaced it with my first AR-15.

29 July 2007, 21:53
NEJackFor my RRA AR, I use a Redding FLR die.
Haven't had any problems to date.