RCBS X-Size Die vs Neck Sizing vs . ..

[dmftoy1]

Ok . .so I have some .308 brass (once fired - automatic weapon) where the base needed a small-base sizing die so it could be chambered in my rifle. (my existing full length sizing die couldn't cut it)

So . . .I decided to order an RCBS "Small Base" X-Size die. In reading the instructions it appears that what you do is resize it once, trim to .020 below "max" (which is also below minimum) and then resize it again with a slightly different setting that should then never change for this lot of brass. I'm guessing that on the second resizing the brass grows a hair so that it is now above "minimum"

SO . . . now for the question. I'm going to be shooting this ammo in bolt action rifle and my intention had been to just neck size the brass after the initial reload/firing. Am I correct in thinking that I don't have to trim the brass if I'm just neck sizing?

If I understand correctly the X-Size dies are primarily for use in semi-auto's. (I bought it in case I ever get the M1A that I've been lusting after for years)

Anyway, I hope my question makes some semblance of sense.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Dave,

For your current situation, you could have just bought a small base die to get the machine gun ammo down enough in size to fit your chamber. You didn't need an X-die. But, the X-die will do the job just as good as any small base die and you'll have it in the future for semi auto.

Now the brass is resized, after you fire it, you can use a neck sizing die as long as you're firing it in the same gun you originally fired it in after the full length resizing. You need to be aware and do some reading up on all the requirements of neck sizing, such as case necks thickening, annealing, etc. You can google good articles that go into detail explaining these things, so I won't cover them, but simply want to make you aware the articles and information exist.

Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[dmftoy1]

Thanks Dave!

That's what I was thinking but I just wanted to run it by some other people. Ok . . I guess I HAVE to go shopping for an M1A now . . .can't have a die getting little use on the shelves.

 

[moredes]

RCBS makes custom neck-sizing-only dies that are meant to reform your fired cases (from that one bolt gun).

Give them a call; I can't remember how much it costs; it's not overly expensive. You send in 3 fired cases with your payment, and they'll send you the 'custom die'. I know RCBS doesn't have the "precision" name that Redding Competition dies do, but for the little they charge, it can't hurt.