Bushing Neck dies??

[44magSr]

I have been reloading for a long time but have not used a bushing neck die till now. Does anyone know if it is ok to size my cases with out sizing button on the decapping rod. I have a Redding comp neck die and it is shipped without it. I am assuming it is ok to size with out it but would like to be sure. If I should have it do you think it would work equally aswell to just setup my standard neck die so the sizing button is the only thing touching the case after i run them through the bushing die?

 

[44magSr]

Thank you for your time and help. I have not used a bushing neck die before and just wanted to make sure i wasnt missing anything important before i got started with it. Thank you again, I appreciate the help!

 

[fdshuster]

44magSr: To expand on the neck bushing issue, just a little: the only reason the expander button is needed on a conventional FL die is because the case neck is oversized/ squeezed down more than is necessary. The die makers must do this over sizing since they do not know how thick the neck walls are on the brass you will be reloading. The expander button then opens up the I.D. to approx. .002' smaller than bullet diameter. When using the bushing, you only reduce to that .002' smaller dimension, so the brass is not being overworked/ hardened as soon= more reloads before the eventual split neck. That is where annealing would prolong case life even longer. With the conventional FL die you could be working the neck dia. as much as .012'/ .014'. With the proper bushing, as little as .005'. An added bonus is the neck is less likely to be pulled out of alignment when you are not using the expander. But, if you must use an expander, I find the floating carbide button to be the least 'damaging', the fixed, parrallel sided the worst, tapered a little better. Sorry, tried to keep it brief.

 

[44magSr]

Thanks for the input, I really appriciate all you guys can offer. This is one thing I really enjoy about this site and our sport, all the great people. It s funny that no matter how long I have been reloading and shooting, or how accomplished I become with it I can always learn something new, Thanks to all the great shooters who love and respect our Heritage.

 

[fdshuster]

44magSR: I've been at this 'game' since 1960, and am still learning. Always something more to learn out there/ just got involved in the wonderful world of 'switch-barrel' rifles.