6.5x284 Full length or neck size?

[Peterbilt2007]

I've been using a FL RCBS die set and having good results as far as accuracy, but I'm thinking neck sizing would add to my brass life and result in more accuracy. I see bushing dies etc. and am not familiar with them. In the past with my 22-250 and 308 neck sizing has tightened up groups considerably. Neck size or FL? Thanks

 

[Erik Cortina]

F/L size with minimum shoulder bump is the way to go. All of the competition shooters I know F/L size their brass every time.

 

[dkhunt14]

Full length size with a 2 thousandth bump with a full length bushing die. This will not move the brass as much and help to make it last longer with good accuracy. If you want the case to last and shoot better anneal them. Matt

 

[ShootDots]

Full length size with a 2 thousandth bump with a full length bushing die. This will not move the brass as much and help to make it last longer with good accuracy. If you want the case to last and shoot better anneal them. Matt

F/L size with minimum shoulder bump is the way to go. All of the competition shooters I know F/L size their brass every time.

Merge the info on these 2 posts together and you will have the correct answer..

 

[CatShooter]

F/L size with minimum shoulder bump is the way to go. All of the competition shooters I know F/L size their brass every time.

I doubt that any of the competition shooters are FL sizing with a $20 RCBS FL die.

A 6.5x284 should do fine with a neck sizer and case life will improve greatly - accuracy will not be affected. There is no need to "Bump" a shoulder unless there is more resistance to closing the bolt, than the shooter is willing to live with.

 

[dkhunt14]

I use Redding bushing die. Cases will last just as long full length sizing and you will be able to cycle them through the gun. Its not only about closing bolt; it is also about opening it without upsetting gun. I have cases with close to a 100 firings on them. Annealing is the secret to making them shoot and last. Necksizing is an old process. Almost nobody does it any more. If it was more accurate Benchresters would still be doing it. Matt

 

[BoydAllen]

No one who is serious about accuracy uses one piece dies, unless they are custom, or the chamber is. It sounds to me like you might benefit from taking a look at your FL sized ammo with a concentricity gauge. The issue is not so much neck or FL but rather what kind of FL die. If you load to the safe potential of any caliber, only neck sizing is not an option. Cases will become too tight. If you are getting away with neck sizing, and never have to FL size, you are not loading to the full potential of the caliber, which is perfectly fine, if it gets you where you want to be.

 

[artbosco]

I've been using a FL RCBS die set and having good results as far as accuracy, but I'm thinking neck sizing would add to my brass life and result in more accuracy. I see bushing dies etc. and am not familiar with them. In the past with my 22-250 and 308 neck sizing has tightened up groups considerably. Neck size or FL? Thanks

F/L sizing with a F/L bushing die, full length sizes and neck sizes to your required neck tension all at the same time. It's the best of all worlds. Once you've found your load, you're bringing the entire case back into its original designed dimensions, pushing the should back .0015" to .002" and then fine tuning with neck tension and seating depth. If you want to stand head and and shoulders above the crowd, learn to use a F/L bushing die. Redding's Type S is a good example.

Also, if you're currently using a factory chambered barrel you might consider a minimum/no-turn chamber or a tight-neck chamber the next time you replace your barrel. Shilen is a good source for a variety of chambers for a specific caliber.

 

[Peterbilt2007]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I will be buying a FL bushing die. Maybe a micro seater in the near future.