newbie question on RCBS die set

bama1 · December 15, 2011, 07:48 PM

Brand new to reloading and just got my rcbs f l die set in for .308 win. It is p/n 15501 and my question concerns the sizing die. It has rcbs 308 win sb 11 on it. Is this a small base die? I will be using it for bolt gun and wanted full length. I ask because the small base set i ordered for my auto 30-06 has the sb on it.

mehavey · December 15, 2011, 08:03 PM

"sb" = small base

It's still a Full Length sizing die, so you're still OK.

bama1 · December 15, 2011, 08:09 PM

Thanks for the reply. I am just getting components together and noticed that the .243 f l die set actually has fl on it instead of sb. I didn't know if i had recieved the wrong die in the 308 set.

wncchester · December 15, 2011, 08:51 PM

A small base die is only about 2 thou tighter at the base than a standard die so it won't make much difference for most rifles.

mehavey · December 15, 2011, 08:58 PM

"Normally" that 'sb' marking indicates small base.

I just went downstairs and looked at my own 308 dies. The Redding (definitely small base) sizer is labeled "308 Win SB FL"

My RCBS 308 dies (the 15501 set) is stamped "308 Win FL•• 8" ("8" being `008, the year of manufacture). So I still believe you're looking at a small base (full length) resizing die.

December 15, 2011, 07:48 PM	#1
bama1 Junior Member Join Date: October 11, 2011 Posts: 8	newbie question on RCBS die set Brand new to reloading and just got my rcbs f l die set in for .308 win. It is p/n 15501 and my question concerns the sizing die. It has rcbs 308 win sb 11 on it. Is this a small base die? I will be using it for bolt gun and wanted full length. I ask because the small base set i ordered for my auto 30-06 has the sb on it.

December 15, 2011, 08:03 PM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	"sb" = small base It's still a Full Length sizing die, so you're still OK.

December 15, 2011, 08:09 PM	#3
bama1 Junior Member Join Date: October 11, 2011 Posts: 8	Thanks for the reply. I am just getting components together and noticed that the .243 f l die set actually has fl on it instead of sb. I didn't know if i had recieved the wrong die in the 308 set.

December 15, 2011, 08:51 PM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	A small base die is only about 2 thou tighter at the base than a standard die so it won't make much difference for most rifles.

December 15, 2011, 08:58 PM	#5
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	"Normally" that 'sb' marking indicates small base. I just went downstairs and looked at my own 308 dies. The Redding (definitely small base) sizer is labeled "308 Win SB FL" My RCBS 308 dies (the 15501 set) is stamped "308 Win FL•• 8" ("8" being `008, the year of manufacture). So I still believe you're looking at a small base (full length) resizing die.