I was given some .308 "small base" dies and some sized and primed brass. I have a new .308 bolt gun and understand the small bass dies are for semi-autos and lever actions.
I plan to get a Lee Collect die and a FL die for future reloading.
Is the "small base" sized brass safe to load and shoot once? I think it probably is safe but thought I'd ask.
Thanks
SH
Yes, it's safe to load and shoot them once, no problem there. I wouldn't continue to load with that small base die, but you already addressed that.
For a better understanding of the situation:
"Small base" dies size to a smaller diameter near the case head, as the name implies. The common "knowledge" that these are for semi-autos and lever actions is incorrect; in reality they are needed for a few very tight chambers (tight match chambers or just worn out factory reamers) and not much else. Normal FL dies are adequate and better for most rifles, with proper die adjustment.
If you do run across a rifle that genuinely needs a small base die, it's relatively simple most of the time to just open up the chamber with a normal reamer so that normal ammo and FL dies work fine.