Sizing full length of necks va partial length

[Tony1320]

Thoughts on full length sizing but sizing the full length of necks vs sizing only a partial length of the neck?

Specifically Bullet Central Micron Precision dies.

I never thought about this until I saw the option on bullet central I always used Redding FL type a dies which does almost full length of the necks

 

[Bill Norris]

It's been said that leaving the bottom portion of the neck un-sized will allow for proper alignment of the case in the chamber. I have been doing this for years without any issues to the contrary. I have no proof whether it helps but I'm convinced it does not hurt anything.

 

[F Class John]

I never size the entire neck. Usually it's about 1/2 to 3/4. For me I never want the bushing/die to impact the shoulder and I've always been happy with the results. I was taught years ago with bushing dies to leave a pinch of float to where you can hear the bushing click up and down if you shake it and was told that also helped center the neck up. That's all anecdotal, totally unscientific but I'm not going to waste components testing it because I know it works for me.

 

[cw308]

I've tried it all , wound up with full sizing with .002 headspace . No harm it trying different techniques . You will see what works best.

 

[K22]

Hi Tony1320 - why do you want to change what you've been doing?

Redding Full Sizing dies are some of the best on the market. Full sizing with a proper shoulder bump should do the job quite adequately, at least that's been my experience.

For me, sizing the case to achieve the optimum fit for my rifle is the goal of the sizing process. The rest: bullet / powder / primer choice are the primary elements that affects accuracy.

 

[mikecr]

Partial neck sizing only. Never FL size necks

 

[Intell]

I’ve read on different forums in recent years, that neck sizing is not as good as FL.
I’ve always neck sized only for my bolt guns for over 30 years and it works well for me. I can usually get them shooting pretty small with load testing.
What do the BR and F class guys do?
Are the people that make that statement full of $hit, just flapping gums or is there something I’ve been missing?
My centerfire shooting consists of varmint and informal long range games.

 

[jimmymac]

I’ve read on different forums in recent years, that neck sizing is not as good as FL.
I’ve always neck sized only for my bolt guns for over 30 years and it works well for me. I can usually get them shooting pretty small with load testing.
What do the BR and F class guys do?
Are the people that make that statement full of $hit, just flapping gums or is there something I’ve been missing?
My centerfire shooting consists of varmint and informal long range games.

Most BR guys minimally full length resize their cases with bushing dies. By doing it that way, I can achieve the shoulder bump and neck diameter I'm looking for. The finished rounds provide me easy chambering and good brass life. To do it any other way doesn't make sense for me. If all I did was neck size, gun operation would get real funky in a hurry.

 

[Tokay444]

I’ve read on different forums in recent years, that neck sizing is not as good as FL.
I’ve always neck sized only for my bolt guns for over 30 years and it works well for me. I can usually get them shooting pretty small with load testing.
What do the BR and F class guys do?
Are the people that make that statement full of $hit, just flapping gums or is there something I’ve been missing?
My centerfire shooting consists of varmint and informal long range games.

The discussion is not about FL vs Neck sizing. It’s about sizing part of the neck vs all of the neck.
The people who make the argument for FL over just Neck sizing are usually just the best hall of fame shooters in the world.

 

[Intell]

Thanks, that’s enough to convince me.
Those guys are the best of the best.

 

[jimmymac]

...and to get back to the original question, my bushing dies are set up where the bushing floats a bit and provides partial neck sizing.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The BC dies are a little different. Most bushing dies are partial neck size because they do not get the very base of the neck. With the BC dies this is true but they also offer another die where the bushing sits even higher and only sizes about half of the neck. Theres only a couple of bushing dies out there that truly size the whole neck, they have the neck and shoulder machined into the bushing.

 

[Richard Coody]

The BC dies are a little different. Most bushing dies are partial neck size because they do not get the very base of the neck. With the BC dies this is true but they also offer another die where the bushing sits even higher and only sizes about half of the neck. Theres only a couple of bushing dies out there that truly size the whole neck, they have the neck and shoulder machined into the bushing.

I have some Neil Jones custom dies like that.

Personally I prefer a full length non bushing custom die over all others. If I want to adjust neck tension a little I will use a mandrel.

Of course if Harrells makes a die for the cartridge I am shooting I will use it

Of course this is just me. Whatever works for you. People use all kinds of reloading techniques successfully

 

[cw308]

This post can easily go sideways , it's all about bullet grip / neck tension.

 

[Joe Salt]

I decided I wanted the best of both worlds, I have a custom shoulder bump bushing die in one press and a neck die, that will do the whole neck or part of it which ever I need. That's for my 300 WSM.
But who makes a FL neck die that will do the whole neck for a 6mm Dasher?

Joe Salt

 

[bobinpa]

The BC dies are a little different. Most bushing dies are partial neck size because they do not get the very base of the neck. With the BC dies this is true but they also offer another die where the bushing sits even higher and only sizes about half of the neck. Theres only a couple of bushing dies out there that truly size the whole neck, they have the neck and shoulder machined into the bushing.

Who makes a bushing die that sizes the whole neck? I didn't know they existed until I read your post....but that's typical of me.

 

[K22]

I’ve read on different forums in recent years, that neck sizing is not as good as FL.
I’ve always neck sized only for my bolt guns for over 30 years and it works well for me. I can usually get them shooting pretty small with load testing.
What do the BR and F class guys do?
Are the people that make that statement full of $hit, just flapping gums or is there something I’ve been missing?
My centerfire shooting consists of varmint and informal long range games.

If your reloads chamber without any difficult and there is no galling of the bolt lugs then I don't see a problem with only neck sizing.

Similar to you, I'm primarily a varmint / predator hunter and I spend range time in practical shooting sessions. For years I neck sized with good results up to about 5-9 reloads depending on the rifle / caliber / brand of cases. After that I began getting hard chambering and wear on the bolt lugs. It got to the point where I had to check each reload before I ventured into the field to assure I had functional reloads. This was a burden I didn't want.

I began reloading in the 69-70 time frame. Neck sizing was promoted as the ultimate in achieving accuracy and prolonging case life which I believed at the time. I believe that myth has been dispelled today by most experienced shooters.

Searching for a better method than neck sizing to assure functionality of my reloads, I began full sizing with minimal shoulder set back. Later I began measuring shoulder set back. What I learned after reloading and shooting thousands of reloads was that full sizing done properly does not decrease accuracy or case life with the added benefit of assured functionality, which for a hunter is critically important.

Bottom line: If you can get away with only neck sizing to the full reloading life of a case then that's great. It's certainly easier that full sizing and in my experience does not degrade accuracy or case life. However I've never be able to achieve full case life with only neck sizing because at some point the cases wouldn't chamber or chambered with difficult increasing stress on the bolt lugs.

 

[jimmymac]

Much like @Joe Salt I’ve also done this in a two step process. My results were good, but not practical when reloading at the range so I settled on bushing dies. If going pre- loaded, all bets are off.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Below is a Redding bushing die that does not size the base of the neck. I always thought they were making room for donuts on neck turned brass.

 

[Joe Salt]

Redding doesn't make a Completion neck die for a 6mm Dasher or I'd have one.

Joe Salt