Can I resize neck only with conventional Hornady .308 dies"

[kawzak]

I have the Hornady (2) die set. One is a decapper/expander ball, the other is a full length sizer. I am guessing I would need to buy a neck ONLY die? If I fire form my .308 brass, I am thinking I should only need to resize the neck/shoulder for better accuracy. yes?.

 

[JRS]

No.

 

[CatShooter]

I have the Hornady (2) die set. One is a decapper/expander ball, the other is a full length sizer. I am guessing I would need to buy a neck ONLY die? If I fire form my .308 brass, I am thinking I should only need to resize the neck/shoulder for better accuracy. yes?.

Your question is not clear - if you have a two die set, one should be a seater (no pin or ball), and the other should be the sizer (with pin and ball)...

Can you please make this clear??

 

[LHSmith]

No.

NO +2. You want to FLS everytime for best all around accuracy.

 

[Preacher]

If you try to neck size with a full length sizer you will have problems !!!!
Full length sizing is always best....

 

[LCazador]

For best accuracy you should full length size and bump the shoulder .001" to .002". So it's essential that you have a headspace guage to measure your shoulder bump.

 

[fguffey]

Quote I have the Hornady (2) die set. One is a decapper/expander ball, the other is a full length sizer. I am guessing I would need to buy a neck ONLY die? If I fire form my .308 brass, I am thinking I should only need to resize the neck/shoulder for better accuracy. yes?.

Can I resize neck only with conventional Hornady .308 dies

Yes you can, problem: It is not possible to neck size the complete neck, before the neck is sized the die will contact the case body and then the shoulder. Partial neck sizing is not all bad, the part of the neck that is not sized will aid in centering the case in the chamber.

Then accuracy, there is a difference between firing a full length size case to minimum length and a case that is neck sized only. I would suggest you learn to neck size and full length size then make every effort to eliminate all the bad habits when determining accuracy.

Not easy to have it both ways, case longevity or accuracy. As you can see the advise you have been given has gone straight to full length sizing (to minimum length). I am the fan of cutting down on all that case travel, I do not size cases beyond necessary.

I am thinking I should only need to resize the neck/shoulder for better accuracy.

I am told reloaders size necks and shoulders all the time. I find the practice most difficult because when I size the shoulder without case body support the case expands below the shoulder/case body juncture. We should know the seating die does not have case body support and when crimping it is possible to crush the case at the case body/shoulder juncture. The bulge at the juncture can contribute to chambering difficulties.

I have neck sized cases with a full length sizing die, I adjust the full length sizing die off the shell holder to prevent case body/shoulder sizing. My favorite 30/06 30/06 neck sizing die is the 308 W full length sizing die.

F. Guffey