case length with x dies

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Just got a set of small base xdiez for 308. Setup states trim. 0020" from Max length or 1.995. Trim length is 2.005". Should I assume the die will allow enough growth to get close to the trim length?
 
The only lengthening you should get over the life of the brass, once setup for the die (presuming bolt action gun), is in the main body. You won't get much in the neck area. So, the .020 under allows for body length growth.

Pretty sure that's how that goes.

If you're going to shoot these in a semi-auto loader, you still have to full length resize.
 
They'll allow some growth, but not much.

If you pull the mandrel out of the die, you'll notice a step near the top. The edge of that step contacts the case mouth and pushes it back slightly when you use the die on the case a second time. This minimizes growth. They'll stretch a few thousandths each time you fire them, but by the time they're back to trim length, the cases are probably used up anyway.

I've been using the small-base X-Dies for .223, and they work as advertised, but the big problem is that you need to keep your X-Die-sized brass separate from any range brass you might pick up. If not, and you use the dies (as instructed) for a second sizing, than mandrel will squash and ruin any case that hasn't been trimmed to 0.010" under trim-to length.
 
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