neck size only ?

[Rat Rifle]

Beside the advantages/disadvantages already listed, I use a LCD on many rifles I load for. However, I always size the body also (normally with a body die). The advantage the LCD offers is that it doesn't undersize the case neck during sizing like most FL sizing dies do. It also results in case necks that have 0.001" TIR.

^THIS^ … Very wise information indeed

 

[JSH]

Better get the T shirt

 

[AlNyhus]

View attachment 1427316
Better get the T shirt

Now that's funny!

 

[Bill Clifton]

I still have some neck size dies from the old days. That's like 1970s or 80s tech. I always at least bump the shoulder back consistently every time.

 

[JSH]

Bill, what the hell ya mean old days, lol;-). Lol, I recall searching all over kingdom come for neck dies for some of the odd balls I had. I even threw out some pretty heavy coin for custom neck dies.
A few short years i find it interesting what we as a group have learned.
I will admit to still using a neck die on some orphan project guns. A standard size die or body die may size to much of a sloppy/generous chamber is involved.

 

[CNC-Dude]

I shoot F-class matches at 300 yds. I am just looking at getting better accuracy

Erik Cortina has several videos talking about this and even has a T-shirt with a target on it with about a dozen bullet holes in it that looks like a shotgun pattern and the shirt says "I neck size"...if that tells you anything. The shirt is meant to be a joke about not to neck size only if your intention is accuracy....Somebody beat me to it, the shirt is posted above....

 

[WVRJ]

I neck size with the LCD for one of my 223's and get great results.But I'm not pushing it very hard,so I don't have to do much with the shoulder.I set the headspace pretty tight when I put the barrel on and for this rifle everything worked out ok.I like the way the die works to keep runout low and I don't have to turn necks or use separate mandrels.I'm a firm believer that some kind of expander has to be used unless case necks are very consistent.The LCD works great for this rifle,and I use them for some of my others.The 223 I'm talking about here is fairly accurate,like .5 MOA or less,and I have several sub quarter minute groups on the wall behind the loading bench.If having an accurate rifle that I only neck size for makes me a lazy reloader,then I'm guilty as charged.

 

[dcali]

Keep it up long enough, and you'll get one stuck.

 

[South Pender]

I've always neck-sized with a Wilson bushing neck-sizing die and an arbor press. Once cases become hard to chamber, I resize them with a Redding body die, to avoid having to pull an expander button up through the neck. With hunting rounds, I make sure they cycle and chamber smoothly before taking them into the field.

I have thought that the theory is that by neck-only sizing, the loaded cartridge sits in the chamber more centrally to the bore since the case is closer in dimensions to the chamber, whereas it will lie on the bottom of the chamber after FL sizing since it has been reduced in diameter so that it takes up less of the space in the chamber. Having the bullet almost perfectly aligned with the bore (from neck-only sizing) it enters the bore with less tilt than it would after FL sizing.

The advantage to FL sizing vis-a-vis accuracy would be that the cases are identical in dimension after sizing, whereas, with neck-only sizing, you may end up with some slight dimensional discrepancies depending on the loads just-previously fired in them.

Is this about it?

 

[wildcatter]

I did neck size only decades ago. But I always reload with optimum accuracy in mind. That is why for past two decades I always full length resize, .002" shoulder bump, and enjoy not only accuracy as good as it gets, but would be hard pressed to make any brass last longer

 

[SKWERLZ]

I use LEE collet dies exclusively, but I also use a REDDING body to bump the shoulder back, and anneal my brass every time when fired, I use to neck size only for my bolt 223rem, bolt gun, but this was a factory rifle, and I got excellent accuracy neck sizing only, but IMO if your running a custom chambered barrel? it my require body sizing after a few firings, I have not shot my 26'' Savage HB rifle in about 10yrs or more now, other interests, but my other custom-built rifles I generally bump the shoulders 2 to 3k and neck size with the LEE collet die, and the results are outstanding!!!!

I love the Lee collet and body die combination as well.

 

[Bill Norris]

I've always neck-sized with a Wilson bushing neck-sizing die and an arbor press. Once cases become hard to chamber, I resize them with a Redding body die, to avoid having to pull an expander button up through the neck. With hunting rounds, I make sure they cycle and chamber smoothly before taking them into the field.

I have thought that the theory is that by neck-only sizing, the loaded cartridge sits in the chamber more centrally to the bore since the case is closer in dimensions to the chamber, whereas it will lie on the bottom of the chamber after FL sizing since it has been reduced in diameter so that it takes up less of the space in the chamber. Having the bullet almost perfectly aligned with the bore (from neck-only sizing) it enters the bore with less tilt than it would after FL sizing.

The advantage to FL sizing vis-a-vis accuracy would be that the cases are identical in dimension after sizing, whereas, with neck-only sizing, you may end up with some slight dimensional discrepancies depending on the loads just-previously fired in them.

Is this about it?

One can equal the case alignment issue with only sizing a portion of the neck which will allow the un-sized portion to align the case with the chamber as well. A bushing die would be required.

 

[6Creed73]

In a f class competition I absolutely wouldn’t just neck size
It’s only benefit is accommodating lazy reloaders.
It’s no benefit for accuracy.

I don't get this comment. How is neck sizing for lazy reloaders? You have to work the ram with either scenario, I can full size a case in the same time it takes to neck size.

And there actually are benefits. For one, it works the brass less which extends it's life. A fire formed case will also have a more uniform volume giving more consistent pressures. I will usually neck size only with a forster bushing die for two firings, then full size with a redding type s busing die. I get better ES/SD from the fire formed brass with all other components the same.

 

[dmoran]

I shoot F-class matches at 300 yds. I am just looking at getting better accuracy

If you want consistent accuracy from your reloads, do the exact same procedures each and every time.

Is my advise...

 

[South Pender]

One can equal the case alignment issue with only sizing a portion of the neck which will allow the un-sized portion to align the case with the chamber as well. A bushing die would be required.

Yes, good point.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I don't get this comment. How is neck sizing for lazy reloaders? You have to work the ram with either scenario, I can full size a case in the same time it takes to neck size.

And there actually are benefits. For one, it works the brass less which extends it's life. A fire formed case will also have a more uniform volume giving more consistent pressures. I will usually neck size only with a forster bushing die for two firings, then full size with a redding type s busing die. I get better ES/SD from the fire formed brass with all other components the same.

Because eventually you’re going to get tight cases that can mentally or physically affect your performance
Tight cases often shoot fast so there goes your vertical and if your feeling a tight bolt close suddenly your thinking of that and worries affect results.
I’ve never noticed an improvement in ES with neck sizing.

In fact I found improvement in vertical sizing the entire case for my ELR stuff

As far as the lazy part nothing is as simple and fast as running a case through a Lee collet brush neck, One pass in press with absolutely no lube and your ready for primer, powder and bullet.

 

[Mark611]

Bill N , what do you think about allowing your shell holder to free float to align the brass with the die?

 

[Mark611]

I neck size TOO!!!

 

[Murray Brook]

There is already alot of slack in those shellholders as it is. I wouldn't think that floating one would do much good. JMO

 

[Bill Norris]

Bill N , what do you think about allowing your shell holder to free float to align the brass with the die?

From the limited loading I have done since I replaced the snap tension ring I have seen some good measurements. I'm not at all certain that it changed anything with my accuracy but runout on the loaded bullet does look a tad better. However, I was not seeing anything over .002 - .0025 before I replaced it. Now I very seldom see over .0015 with Wilson & Redding F/L bushing dies and Redding Comp seaters.