neck sizing question

[newbieshooter]

I shoot a 6BR. I have a wilson neck sizing die + redding bushing. When I neck size with the Wilson, I notice the bushing only sizes about 60/70% of the neck - leaving the bottom portion of the neck untouched/unsized.

If i use another FL die I have - with the same redding bushing - i find what looks like the entire neck is sized with the bushing.

The Wilson die that neck sizes a portion of the neck - seems like there is less surface area in the neck that is holding the bullet.

If I use the die that neck sizes the entire length of the neck - even though it has the same OD - it seems like there is more surface area of the neck holding the bullet.

I'm wondering why the difference and how does that translate to precision? Does it matter? Do I just pick one die/method and stick to it ?

thanks,

 

[Lapua40X]

Seems to me that the depth to which the bushing sizes the neck is relative to the distance the bottom of the bushing is from the neck/shoulder junction at the full extension of the ram. The cavity that houses the bushing may be deeper in one die than the other.

 

[LHSmith]

I'm wondering why the difference and how does that translate to precision? Does it matter? Do I just pick one die/method and stick to it ?

thanks,

If you shoot loads above what is considered "mild" ( book starting loads) FLS every time for the most consistent accuracy. When you size the case differently at intervals ( when hard bolt lift rears it's ugly head from neck sizing too many times without FLS) accuracy will change. FLS every time and your bolt lug wear will be greatly reduced.Too much NS allows the brass to work harden to the chamber dimensions and when you finally attempt to FLS, some cases (perhaps all) will resist sizing the case body .....at which point you will have junk brass-since you cannot safely anneal the case body.

 

[Riesel]

Have you tried shooting the two different neck sizing and comparing. A shooter I know that competed in the Texas Bluebonnet match would partial size the necks with the idea that the unsized portion would be fire formed and help center the neck in the chamber. Also shot only the loads with consistent neck tensions. C. H. is a real fine shooter.

 

[BenPerfected]

Have you tried shooting the two different neck sizing and comparing. A shooter I know that competed in the Texas Bluebonnet match would partial size the necks with the idea that the unsized portion would be fire formed and help center the neck in the chamber. Also shot only the loads with consistent neck tensions. C. H. is a real fine shooter.

With a stepped neck, does this mean you would have to check the concentricity at two places on the neck?
Ben

 

[LHSmith]

Have you tried shooting the two different neck sizing and comparing. A shooter I know that competed in the Texas Bluebonnet match would partial size the necks with the idea that the unsized portion would be fire formed and help center the neck in the chamber. Also shot only the loads with consistent neck tensions. C. H. is a real fine shooter.

Most FL bushing dies (even Harrells) size only a portion of the neck.....reason being to align the bullet to the bore. Only non-bushing dies size the neck to the shoulder.

 

[ND shooter]

Have you tried shooting the two different neck sizing and comparing. A shooter I know that competed in the Texas Bluebonnet match would partial size the necks with the idea that the unsized portion would be fire formed and help center the neck in the chamber. Also shot only the loads with consistent neck tensions. C. H. is a real fine shooter.

I was told by a benchrest smith that it centered the neck in chamber.

 

[ND shooter]

Most FL bushing dies (even Harrells) size only a portion of the neck.....reason being to align the bullet to the bore. Only non-bushing dies size the neck to the shoulder.

^^^^^^

 

[Shynloco]

I shoot a 6BR. I have a wilson neck sizing die + redding bushing. When I neck size with the Wilson, I notice the bushing only sizes about 60/70% of the neck - leaving the bottom portion of the neck untouched/unsized........

If I use the die that neck sizes the entire length of the neck - even though it has the same OD - it seems like there is more surface area of the neck holding the bullet.

I'm wondering why the difference and how does that translate to precision? Does it matter? Do I just pick one die/method and stick to it ?

thanks,

newbie,
Your observations are correct. Wilson Neck Dies only size part of the neck. And what you noted that with another die, you get full neck sizing. I noted your situation several years ago when first starting to reload for a 6mmbr. So what I did was to test using both the Wilson Neck Sizing die and compared it to what the results would be using a Redding Bushing FL Die. In both case I used a Wilson Inline Die to seat the bullets to the depth I knew was the "sweet spot."

If you have a reliable concentricity gauge, you may want to check run out in both scenarios I noted above. That test may answer your question in terms of how concentric your loads are and the procedure you are using. Personally, I got away from partial neck sizing (Wilson Neck Die) because I found through my test firing, that my groups were tighter using the Redding FL Bushing Die that gave me more "bite" on the bullet. You may also find, that some guys swear by the partial neck sizing, while others recommend the full neck resizing. Ultimately, that decision will be your's as you rifle may tell you all you need to know via what your groups look like downrange.

Hollar if I can help you anymore. I certainly don't know it all and don't claim to. But in reading your post, your words remind me of ME, about 5 years ago when I got into the Benchrest shooting thing via some of my buddies, who've also help lighten my bank account over the years. Good luck and have fun.

Alex

 

[Lapua40X]

... Do I just pick one die/method and stick to it ?...

Load 'em, try 'em, use the one that performs best. You can forget most of the rest of it.

 

[sofarfrome]

I would urge you to buy Tony Boyer's book on rifle accuracy. He addresses this in the book and many other very useful topics. It will be the best $45 you ever spend on rifle accuracy and how to achieve the best out of a rifle you own. One of the greatest examples is I now always bed my rings and bases. I follow his instructions to a tee. Now it is truly easy to determine of you have a scope problem, a load problem, or a system problem.

 

[newbieshooter]

I would urge you to buy Tony Boyer's book on rifle accuracy. He addresses this in the book and many other very useful topics. It will be the best $45 you ever spend on rifle accuracy and how to achieve the best out of a rifle you own. One of the greatest examples is I now always bed my rings and bases. I follow his instructions to a tee. Now it is truly easy to determine of you have a scope problem, a load problem, or a system problem.

Thank you everyone for all the comments/advice. Appreciate it! I ordered the recommended book - Looking forward to reading it....