Full length size or neck size

[Bloodtrailer]

I'm getting ready to start reloading and in 2 weeks I will be buying reloading equipment. I will be reloading for 22-250 and 300 win mag, both will be for bolt action rifle. I have been reading up and getting mixed answers. Do I need a die that resizes for full length or only neck resizing die? I have read that if they are being fired from the same bolt action gun that you should only neck size because the case is already fire formed to that chamber. Is that correct? I know I have to check length and trim the cases.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...th-dies-neck-sizing-dies-and-small-base-dies/
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...length-sizing-dies-and-control-shoulder-bump/

 

[Homerange]

Looking at your 2 calibers I'd say you are varminting and hunting, if so you'll fire more shots at the bench than out in the field and if you have 50 or more cases for each rifle you can get away with just neck sizing for some time.
Yes, if cases are used in the same chamber you only need to NS to make good reloads.
If you can get the Lee Collet 3 die sets for each you'll be covered for both NS and FL sizing.

That's what I do.

 

[snert]

Check your personal messages. Upper right corner...

 

[Bloodtrailer]

Looking at your 2 calibers I'd say you are varminting and hunting, if so you'll fire more shots at the bench than out in the field and if you have 50 or more cases for each rifle you can get away with just neck sizing for some time.
Yes, if cases are used in the same chamber you only need to NS to make good reloads.
If you can get the Lee Collet 3 die sets for each you'll be covered for both NS and FL sizing.

That's what I do.

thank you for the info

 

[jimbires]

I adjust my full length die so it bumps the shoulder about .002 or .003 , on fully expanded brass . I only get a couple fireings on my brass and it's getting tight, if I only neck size .

 

[LHSmith]

The problem is that few reloaders will accept is the fact that not every piece of brass will fireform to the same dimensions.....not even if from the same lot, fired the same number of times, and loaded to the same pressure. To avoid any chambering problems and inducing variables which cause accuracy issues, I FL size every time, and anneal the cases ( how often I anneal is dependent on my accuracy goals , i.e. hunting or competition).
Contrary to popular belief, if you allow the case to grow incrementally by NS'ing (vs. FLS every time with proper shoulder set-back as detailed in post 2), the brass will have more resistance to sizing back down to FLS dimensions when the case finally reaches the point of difficulty in chambering or bolt click. In some cases the brass may irrevocably become trash since you cannot safely anneal the base.
Best thing I did in my reloading regimen over the years was get rid of all my NS dies.
My only disclaimer to this advice is if one loads strictly in the low end near book starting loads.....then NS'ing will work fine.

 

[hogpatrol]

+1 on Mr. Smith's post.

The only use I have for neck sizing dies is a second or third step with new brass on a necked down wildcat. First step is always a full length resize with a starter bushing. Neck only die saves me from changing bushings and I can control how far down to size the neck.

 

[Jet]

+2 on LHSmith's post. Accuracy demands consistency and full length sizing will aid in this area over neck sizing only.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[CaptainMal]

Even on my target rifles I resize .002-.003" each time. You will be doing some kind of hunting. Next is you do not have much of an accuracy requirement compared to many using their rifles for target competition. Re-size.

Get the tools to measure how much you want to re-size from your chamber dimensions and repeat each time. I fear you are such a novice reloader that you think a re-sized or "new" case will not be accurate. WRONG for your hunting situation. It's probably better for you situation.

The problem with a novice is like the story of the blind men and the elephant. You read something and think it's the way it is for everything.

 

[gotcha]

Looking at your 2 calibers I'd say you are varminting and hunting, if so you'll fire more shots at the bench than out in the field and if you have 50 or more cases for each rifle you can get away with just neck sizing for some time.
Yes, if cases are used in the same chamber you only need to NS to make good reloads.
If you can get the Lee Collet 3 die sets for each you'll be covered for both NS and FL sizing.

That's what I do.

Or, for a hunting application, you can buy the appropriate Lee LCD and a Redding body die. This can be a less expensive alternative but requires two step sizing (neck sizing requires no lube) and can free up $$$$ for a micrometer seater.

 

[Barlow]

In my near 40 year experience with handloading, I like many have tried neck sizing and partial neck sizing, and full length sizing with various cartridges, mostly in factory hunting rifles. I have never seen any improvement in neck sizing only. I'm on the side of full length resizing with the proper tools to measure accurately the sized case. ymmv Barlow

 

[jdh47]

Confused yet? I'll see if I can add to it a little.

You can neck size with a FL size die by not setting it up to cam over if you are using a press like a Rock Chucker. You can have both bases covered there.

What I strive for is straight ammo that will chamber easy. Expander balls are a pita for straight brass. That is why most people are using the Redding FL Type S die with bushings without the expander ball.

Lee collet dies are good in my opinion but they do not size any of the case. For that you need a FL die. Seating is where you get a lot more run out. About the only ones that do a consistently good job of seating without modification is the various chamber type seaters like the Redding, Forster, Whidden and the Wilson.

For hunting you can get by well with a good set of FL dies from any of the many makers. You get what you pay for so the sky's the limit there.

Joe

 

[Webster]

The problem is that few reloaders will accept is the fact that not every piece of brass will fireform to the same dimensions.....not even if from the same lot, fired the same number of times, and loaded to the same pressure. To avoid any chambering problems and inducing variables which cause accuracy issues, I FL size every time, and anneal the cases ( how often I anneal is dependent on my accuracy goals , i.e. hunting or competition).
Contrary to popular belief, if you allow the case to grow incrementally by NS'ing (vs. FLS every time with proper shoulder set-back as detailed in post 2), the brass will have more resistance to sizing back down to FLS dimensions when the case finally reaches the point of difficulty in chambering or bolt click. In some cases the brass may irrevocably become trash since you cannot safely anneal the base.
Best thing I did in my reloading regimen over the years was get rid of all my NS dies.
My only disclaimer to this advice is if one loads strictly in the low end near book starting loads.....then NS'ing will work fine.

Never heard of a neck sized case body becoming work hardened to the point of it being difficult to size. Maybe if you have an over size chamber. Even if it did increase in size a little, pull the handle a little harder. They make small base dies and people just use them and don't trash cases. I do agree with you that FL sizing makes the most sense. The problem is that you cannot control tension without getting custom dies. With my Redding FL 6BR dies I get 6 thou neck tension. Redding bushing dies only size half the length of the neck. Many hunters and varmint shooters don't want to get involved with a lot of custom equipment. I have been reloading accurate varmint rifles for 45 years and never had a case problem.

 

[dkhunt14]

Never heard of a neck sized case body becoming work hardened to the point of it being difficult to size. Maybe if you have an over size chamber. Even if it did increase in size a little, pull the handle a little harder. They make small base dies and people just use them and don't trash cases.

After you shoot a case a few times it gets bigger and harder. Once it gets big, sometimes it has memory and is hard to get back to smaller dimensions and have it stay there. The Springback thing. Full length sizing is more accurate. So why not full length size right from the start. It is no harder on brass (old wife's tale) then neck sizing. I have easily got 25 firings on brass. The thought of better accuracy and longer lasting brass came from the 1950's and is just outdated. Almost all match shooters are full length sizing with minimal bump. MATT

 

[HTSmith]

Looking at your 2 calibers I'd say you are varminting and hunting, if so you'll fire more shots at the bench than out in the field and if you have 50 or more cases for each rifle you can get away with just neck sizing for some time.
Yes, if cases are used in the same chamber you only need to NS to make good reloads.
If you can get the Lee Collet 3 die sets for each you'll be covered for both NS and FL sizing.

That's what I do.

I'm with Homerange. That Lee set will cover your bases. The belted magnum presents unique issues. It headspaces off the belt and a cammed over setting on the typical full length resizing die could push the shoulder back too far. A few repetitions of this could lead to case failure. My process for hunting rounds is to chamber each piece of fired brass before starting. If any single case is the least bit tight, the whole batch needs to be full length sized. Another critical step is chambering each loaded round to make absolutely sure of function. Do this with the firing pin removed.

 

[savagedasher]

I do both when loading . My full lingth die is used when bumping and it sizes the neck and the body .002 Then I use another die for sizeing halfway of the neck for bullet holding . That size verys with softness of the brass .
In theory my whole case and half of the neck is .002 smaller then the chamber . The last half of the necks is for bullet holding .
Is it the correct way of doing? I can't say it works for me . Larry

 

[JRS]

I do both when loading . My full lingth die is used when bumping and it sizes the neck and the body .002 Then I use another die for sizeing halfway of the neck for bullet holding . That size verys with softness of the brass .
In theory my whole case and half of the neck is .002 smaller then the chamber . The last half of the necks is for bullet holding .
Is it the correct way of doing? I can't say it works for me . Larry

Why use 2 dies?

 

[LHSmith]

You can neck size with a FL size die by not setting it up to cam over if you are using a press like a Rock Chucker. You can have both bases covered there.


Joe

I'd like to know what dies in what caliber makes this possible?

 

[savagedasher]

I do both my sizeing with two different neck and body dies Some times I use 3 .
My body and neck dies Gives me a 269.5 neck . The other die would size the neck to .265 I adjust my press to where half of the neck is 269.5 the other half is .265 The 3rd die is a bushing die and I have bushings that is .263 .264 .265 .266 .267 .268 Depending on the wear of the brass neck I use a bushing for the seating pressure But half of the neck is always 269.5 or very close .
Is it the correct way of doing You can deside that it works for me . Larry