Sizing the neck when you don't turn the neck...alternate to LEE collet?

[done111]

Currently I two step my brass sizing. First I use a Redding body die with a competition shell holder to size the body with a 0.002" shoulder bump. I then use a Lee collet die to size the neck after that.

I understand that the variance in neck thickness is less prone to effect the ID of the neck using the collet, which makes sense to me. I don't want to get into the neck turning process and would like to know if there are other options that size the brass neck to a mandrel that may be better. I really don't want to undersize the ID of the neck and pull something through it to get the right ID either. The bushing method is interesting, but neck thickness variance seems to effects it more.

Don

 

[6MMsteve]

I quit using bushings the runout was offensive, I use the collet die and basically the same as you and I get .0005 to .001 runout very consistently, but others will chime in that are better shooters and reloaders than me

 

[Dusty Stevens]

id say that 99%+ of the most accurate rifles at any time are loaded with cases sized from ONE die and thats a properly fitted FL bushing die.

 

[JohnD]

I would say Dusty is correct but people like me that don't like to turn necks and have some very accurate rifles, the method that Done111 uses is very effective. That's exactly how I've been doing it for years and I'm slowly moving all of my rifle die set ups in that direction.
YMMV.

John

 

[Bart B.]

For years, Sierra Bullets used Redding full length bushing dies on unprepped cases with a couple thousandths shoulder setback. Their best match bullets from such cases put 10-shot groups averaging 1/4th MOA at 200 yards.

They used regular full length dies without balls but necks honed out at their California plant. Their match bullets in that 100 yard range tested the same shot as well, often sub 2/10th MOA with unprepped cases.

You should do as well with the same dies if the rest of your stuff is up to it. Without more details, I'm at a loss for help. I don't think a .001" spread in neck wall is a problem until your biggest groups at short range are 1/4th MOA. There are bigger fish to fry.

 

[Willie]

Currently I two step my brass sizing. First I use a Redding body die with a competition shell holder to size the body with a 0.002" shoulder bump. I then use a Lee collet die to size the neck after that.

I understand that the variance in neck thickness is less prone to effect the ID of the neck using the collet, which makes sense to me. I don't want to get into the neck turning process and would like to know if there are other options that size the brass neck to a mandrel that may be better. I really don't want to undersize the ID of the neck and pull something through it to get the right ID either. The bushing method is interesting, but neck thickness variance seems to effects it more.

Don

I use the mandrels, instead of neck sizing with the collet, in all my tight neck rifles w/turned brass. I have had very good results with using bushings and mandrel combo.

I have been working up loads for my son's 280 ai with unturned Nosler brass. Brass neck run-out was running close to .006"+/-. Using my bushing die and .003" under bushing, I then ran a
.002" under caliber mandrel to set neck tension. Run-out on bullet ogive was under .0015". So, I believe the mandrel is a viable alternative.
Note: I do anneal every firing.

 

[ranger3]

I have not noticed any difference in concentricity with the few bushing dies I use. I use both the Lee Collett and Body die combination and the bushing dies as well as shoulder bump bushing dies. I can't see any difference. My biggest problem used to be neck tension consistency. I don't have that conquered, but have improved it. I do all of my bushing sizing on my Coax and only on that as well as seating for anything I'm not using for PD's. I do most of the PD's on my RL550B Dillon and that press is OK, but not perfect for concentric ammo. Just my .02 worth.

 

[BoydAllen]

A couple of things: There is more than one way to size cases that works. Doing a slight amount of expanding does not damage concentricity. For cases that are NOT turned, using a collet die as one step of a two step process has shown very good results. This has been confirmed by multiple sources. For turned necks, the best results that I have seen came from one piece dies that had the correct neck ID. There is a point where increases in loaded round concentricity do not show up on the target. In some cases concentricity does not seem to be an issue, in others it does seem to matter. For unturned cases, neck IDs and roundness are more uniform if a slight amount of expansion is done after the neck is sized or a collet die used in combination with a body die. Some things that we can measure do not show up on the target. Just because something works for you, does not mean that a different approach does not work for someone else.

 

[Bart B.]

For turned necks, the best results that I have seen came from one piece dies that had the correct neck ID.

This simple solution has been around since the 1960's. They keep all parts of the case on the same axis when sizing.

 

[kyreloader]

http://kmshooting.com/case-neck-exp...rel-kits/custom-standard-expand-mandrels.html

Best way the I have found to get consistent bullet tension and I do turn my necks.