223 FL sizing die necks

[ASbobcat]

Which of the cheap F/L sizing dies (non-bushing) sizes the neck the least?

This is not for a serious accuracy rig, so not investing in a bushing die.

Currently using a RCBS, which results in a .239 OD, without expander button.

Loaded LC measures .246 OD, so .239 is more than I want to work the brass.

Anyone have neck dimensions on Lee, Hornady or Forster?

 

[SKWERLZ]

Combination I like the most, Redding body die and Lee collet.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I also mostly use the body die/collet combo.
I did take a 22 Nosler small base die and pass a 0.2505 carbide reamer through it to reduce neck sizing then into the collet die.
When I use the Redding body die for 6mm Hagar cases to make 22 Nosgar, it sizes the neck to 0.260

 

[B23]

Which of the cheap F/L sizing dies (non-bushing) sizes the neck the least?

This is not for a serious accuracy rig, so not investing in a bushing die.

Currently using a RCBS, which results in a .239 OD, without expander button.

Loaded LC measures .246 OD, so .239 is more than I want to work the brass.

Anyone have neck dimensions on Lee, Hornady or Forster?

Since you don't want to purchase a bushing die I'd suggest turning down your necks but using those measurements the neck thickness of your brass is only about 11 thou so I'm not sure I'd want to go any thinner than that.

On a regular FL die the expander button is what sets the neck tension the same for all of the different neck thicknesses from all of the different brass manufacturers, is there any particular reason you don't want to use the expander button?

I'll have to look but I may have an extra Redding 223 bushing die that I'd sell you for a pretty discounted price over new. If your interested, if not no worries.

 

[William Vogel]

Since you don't want to purchase a bushing die I'd suggest turning down your necks but using those measurements the neck thickness of your brass is only about 11 thou so I'm not sure I'd want to go any thinner than that.

On a regular FL die the expander button is what sets the neck tension the same for all of the different neck thicknesses from all of the different brass manufacturers, is there any particular reason you don't want to use the expander button?

I'll have to look but I may have an extra Redding 223 bushing die that I'd sell you for a pretty discounted price over new. If your interested, if not no worries.

I think he’s trying to tell everyone what size the neck outside diameter is pushed to before the expander is drawn back through. He’s using the expander but in this case he’s informing that the die pushes his brass neck more than .007. It’s probably more like .255 once fired and pushed to .239. This is exactly why I don’t use standard dies.

 

[B23]

I think he’s trying to tell everyone what size the neck outside diameter is pushed to before the expander is drawn back through. He’s using the expander but in this case he’s informing that the die pushes his brass neck more than .007. It’s probably more like .255 once fired and pushed to .239. This is exactly why I don’t use standard dies.

FL dies try and take all of the different manufactures neck thickness variance in to account then try and set the neck tension the same in all of it with the expander button. It's a nice idea but the downside to it is brass with thicker necks get squeezed down tighter and the stuff with thinner neck thickness doesn't get worked as hard.

I use Redding bushing dies in everything except my 7mm Blaser mag because Redding only makes a standard FL die for it but it works fine because Norma is the only one that makes 7mm Blaser mag brass.

 

[SecondsCount]

Which of the cheap F/L sizing dies (non-bushing) sizes the neck the least?

This is not for a serious accuracy rig, so not investing in a bushing die.

Currently using a RCBS, which results in a .239 OD, without expander button.

Loaded LC measures .246 OD, so .239 is more than I want to work the brass.

Anyone have neck dimensions on Lee, Hornady or Forster?

Are you annealing your brass?

I do not have a Forster or Hornady 223 die

Once fired LC 22 brass-

Lee with button- 0.244, without 0.2415

Redding with button- 0.245, without 0.2410

Mighty Armory with mandrel- 0.2435, without 0.241

RCBS X Die w/button 0.2440, without 0.2410

I measured the neck thickness with a Mitutoyo tube gauge and they were .012

Loaded with a 55 Varmint Grenade 0.246

 

[rebs]

I have always had trouble with the expander ball being hard to pull out of the case and I think it can cause run out.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Ran into same problem with overworking 223 necks. Found 2 of my sizers with expander button removed were coming out at .238, a third at .239 and an old RCBS small base die with a 1978 date on the top was at .241. I polish my neck expander buttons with emery cloth and knock of the leading edge a little to reduce drag on the button. For years I just used the SB die for first time sizing of once fire LC and range pickup stuff. Have gone back to iy now for saving necks which is were most of my case failures come from. Seems the bullet is not concerned with the split necks in my XTC AR's.

Any one know of a reliable shop/smith to hone out die necks a couple thousandth's for a reasonable?

Frank

 

[ASbobcat]

Are you annealing your brass?

I do not have a Forster or Hornady 223 die

Once fired LC 22 brass-

Lee with button- 0.244, without 0.2415

Redding with button- 0.245, without 0.2410

Mighty Armory with mandrel- 0.2435, without 0.241

RCBS X Die w/button 0.2440, without 0.2410

I measured the neck thickness with a Mitutoyo tube gauge and they were .012

Loaded with a 55 Varmint Grenade 0.246

Thank you for this information. It is exactly what I was looking for.

I use exclusively LC NATO brass, which is extraordinarily consistent with a neck thickness of .011.

It looks like Lee is my best option.

I appreciate your input.

 

[243winxb]

Which of the cheap F/L sizing dies (non-bushing) sizes the neck the least?

The one you custom ream to produce .243" OD.

Took my RCBS fl die. A wood dowel. Emery paper cut to the length of the neck. Make a snug fit.
Stuck it in drill. Spin into tne correct neck area. Take measurement. The area of the neck/sholder junction will get the most metal removed. Its ok. No more donuts.

No expander while reaming neck. Use expander when reloading. If neck got a little oval, expander will fix it.


Clean die. Size. . Check sized brass till it leaves brass at you wanted diameter. If over done, order a new die.

 

[243winxb]

CUSTOM NECK HONING OF FORSTER FULL LENGTH SIZING DIE​

https://www.forsterproducts.com/resources/custom-machining-service/

And https://bulletin.accurateshooter.co...ll-length-sizing-dies-benefits-over-bushings/

 

[K22]

I have used standard RCBS FL dies for over 50+ years but I agree with all the posters in that it is not the optimum method to size cases especially if you are seeking the absolute precision in reloads such as is needed in benchrest or long-range F Classe competition.

However, if you do use standard dies for full sizing cases, the method can be improved by polishing the expander button to reduce drag of the neck and minimize over working the neck. I have several, polished in .001" increments to allow for different brands of cases, different rifles (same caliber), and case aging.

Starting with virgin cases of the same lot and dedicating them to a specific rifle and rotating their use also promotes uniformity.

Using the aforementioned approach, you can obtain an adequate degree of consistency in neck tension which in my experience, it's the consistency that aids in producing serviceable and accurate varmint (1/2 to 5/8" moa) hunting ammo. I also obtained about 16 to 18 reloads before I encounter slit necks which is a fairly good amortization of case cost / life.

 

[jepp2]

A wood dowel. Emery paper cut to the length of the neck.

I use this method to increase the ID on bushings. But dies are Hard and much more difficult to enlarge. I use this to hone die necks to the proper ID.

 

[rebs]

I use this method to increase the ID on bushings. But dies are Hard and much more difficult to enlarge. I use this to hone die necks to the proper ID.

View attachment 1445734

where did you get them ?

 

[jepp2]

where did you get them ?

I shamelessly followed Rick's write up. Have used them on many dies with great results. I bought mine from MSC, already had the Clover lapping compound and gage pins.

Lapping Reloading Dies

In this project I will take you through the steps and method of altering the neck dimension on a standard reloading die. The purpose of this is to maintain neck alignment to the case body for the b…

rickaverill.com

 

[Rocketvapor]

My Small Base FL die reamed with a solid carbide 0.2505 reamer just barely touches the neck of my 22 Nosler cases. Then I run them through a Lee Collet Die. I have another FL sizing die that I ran a 0.2475" carbide reamer then polished that works great with the button.

Ebay search term:

Carbide Straight Chucking Reamer 0.2475" 4FL​

or

Carbide Straight Chucking Reamer 0.2480" 4FL​

 

[Chilly807]

I have the Forster and the Lee. The Forster without expander produces .239"-.2395" outside necks with annealed Lapua brass. Not much difference from your RCBS die.
I haven't used the Lee in a bit, but as I recall it produces slightly larger necks than the Forster.
For the difference in price, the Forster is a "nicer" die than the Lee, but it doesn't produce any better brass.