30-06 reloading for semi-autos

tator · August 22, 2002, 09:30 AM

I'm new to rifle reloading, I was told by a local gunshop owner I need to use a small base sizing die if I want reliable cycling through my Rem 7400. I just recently received a set of the
RCBS X dies to start my advanture and was wondering if this set would still work or do I need to exchange them for a different die?

Bogie · August 22, 2002, 10:13 AM

They should work okay.

cheygriz · August 22, 2002, 06:45 PM

In years past, I had an old Remington 742, the predecessor to thec 7400. Standard dies worked fine. I found that the 742 worked best, and brass lasted longest, when I used powders no slower than IMR 4320. In fact, my best hunting loads in that gun were with 165 Nosler partitions and IMR 4064.

Southla1 · August 22, 2002, 08:24 PM

cheygriz has it right! I had a 742 and with any kind of slow burning powder, even with 150 grain bullets, the cycling was so violent that sometimes the extractor pulled right through the case head, and of course it tried to chamber another round creating an instant jam.

Some factroy ammo (W-W) also did the same. R-P, Federal, or reloads with 4064, 4895, or 3031 worked like a charm.

I always used regular base dies also. I use these same dies (40 some odd years old) for my M-1 now with no problems. I have never used a small base die.

cheygriz · August 23, 2002, 10:26 PM

Southla1,

It's interesting that some sources say you "need" small base dies for semi-autos. One of my manuals says that Brownings BAR semi-autos especially must be loaded for with small base dies or he rounds won't chamber. I use regular Redding dies for my Browning .338 BAR. A good friend uses Lyman All American regular dies for his Browning BAR .30-06.

I also use regular dies for two different .223 semi-autos, and two different .308 semi-autos.

Come to think of it, I really don't know anyone who does use the small base dies, even though most of my friends are semi-auto enthuisiasts like I am.

August 22, 2002, 09:30 AM	#1
tator Member Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 81	30-06 reloading for semi-autos I'm new to rifle reloading, I was told by a local gunshop owner I need to use a small base sizing die if I want reliable cycling through my Rem 7400. I just recently received a set of the RCBS X dies to start my advanture and was wondering if this set would still work or do I need to exchange them for a different die?

August 22, 2002, 10:13 AM	#2
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	They should work okay.

August 22, 2002, 06:45 PM	#3
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	In years past, I had an old Remington 742, the predecessor to thec 7400. Standard dies worked fine. I found that the 742 worked best, and brass lasted longest, when I used powders no slower than IMR 4320. In fact, my best hunting loads in that gun were with 165 Nosler partitions and IMR 4064.

August 22, 2002, 08:24 PM	#4
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	cheygriz has it right! I had a 742 and with any kind of slow burning powder, even with 150 grain bullets, the cycling was so violent that sometimes the extractor pulled right through the case head, and of course it tried to chamber another round creating an instant jam. Some factroy ammo (W-W) also did the same. R-P, Federal, or reloads with 4064, 4895, or 3031 worked like a charm. I always used regular base dies also. I use these same dies (40 some odd years old) for my M-1 now with no problems. I have never used a small base die.

August 23, 2002, 10:26 PM	#5
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	Southla1, It's interesting that some sources say you "need" small base dies for semi-autos. One of my manuals says that Brownings BAR semi-autos especially must be loaded for with small base dies or he rounds won't chamber. I use regular Redding dies for my Browning .338 BAR. A good friend uses Lyman All American regular dies for his Browning BAR .30-06. I also use regular dies for two different .223 semi-autos, and two different .308 semi-autos. Come to think of it, I really don't know anyone who does use the small base dies, even though most of my friends are semi-auto enthuisiasts like I am.