Erik Cortina
Team Lapua Brux Borden Captain
Stool, if I bump .001" and size the brass the full length, I believe is full length sizing. You can change the definition any way you want to fit your needs, but F/L sizing is what I do.
Fl or not ?
- Thread starter Hillhunter
- Start date
bigedp51
Sierra Exterior Ballistics
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/resize.cfm
Full Length Sizing
Full length sizing is the most commonly used form of resizing. Full length sizing dies reduce the neck and body dimensions of a fired case to allow free and easy chambering. In most instances, full length sizing will reduce the case dimensions enough to allow it to be used interchangeably in several different rifles chambered for the same cartridge. Contrary to popular opinion, full length resizing is commonly used by the vast majority of competitive shooters, especially in those disciplines where rapid-fire is involved. It should be clearly understood that full length sizing does not reduce a fired case to its original, unfired dimensions. The goal here is to bring the case dimensions down far enough to allow the reloaded case to be chambered without difficulty.
Adjustment of the full length die calls for the die body to be screwed down in the press until it contacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke. If the ammunition is to be reused in the same gun the cases were originally fired in, back the die off 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and size a lightly lubricated case. Wipe the case dry, and chamber it in the gun. If any resistance is felt, lower the die body another 1/8 of a turn (or less), and repeat the process with another fired case. This is repeated until the action will just close without resistance. When this has been accomplished, set the lock ring to secure the die in place. This method will ensure that the fired cases are resized with a minimum amount of headspace. This case has now been “custom fitted†to that particular chamber.
This will normally provide the best case life and accuracy, but does require that the ammunition only be used in the gun in which it was originally fired. If the ammunition is to be used in a different gun of the same chambering, of course!, the sizing die should be adjusted down until it just contacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke.
This results in a slightly greater amount of headspace, but will allow the ammunition to be used in several different guns. Whichever adjustment style is used, full length sizing is generally the best sizing method for most shooting situations.
Adjusting the full length resizing die for the correct shoulder bump for "YOUR" chamber also controls the amount of head clearance the cartridge has.
Over resizing the case will create a excessive amount of head clearance and cause the case to stretch and thin in the base web area when pushed beyond its elastic limits to contact the bolt face.
I have a Lyman full length .223 die that pushes the shoulder back .009 shorter than the GO gauge when it makes contact with the shell holder. Meaning full length resizing does "NOT" mean the die must touch the *shell holder.
*Unless you have the competition shell holders.
The above posting was brought to you by the people who actually read the front part of their reloading manuals, like the Sierra manuals Exterior Ballistics section. :
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/resize.cfm
Full Length Sizing
Full length sizing is the most commonly used form of resizing. Full length sizing dies reduce the neck and body dimensions of a fired case to allow free and easy chambering. In most instances, full length sizing will reduce the case dimensions enough to allow it to be used interchangeably in several different rifles chambered for the same cartridge. Contrary to popular opinion, full length resizing is commonly used by the vast majority of competitive shooters, especially in those disciplines where rapid-fire is involved. It should be clearly understood that full length sizing does not reduce a fired case to its original, unfired dimensions. The goal here is to bring the case dimensions down far enough to allow the reloaded case to be chambered without difficulty.
Adjustment of the full length die calls for the die body to be screwed down in the press until it contacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke. If the ammunition is to be reused in the same gun the cases were originally fired in, back the die off 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and size a lightly lubricated case. Wipe the case dry, and chamber it in the gun. If any resistance is felt, lower the die body another 1/8 of a turn (or less), and repeat the process with another fired case. This is repeated until the action will just close without resistance. When this has been accomplished, set the lock ring to secure the die in place. This method will ensure that the fired cases are resized with a minimum amount of headspace. This case has now been “custom fitted†to that particular chamber.
This will normally provide the best case life and accuracy, but does require that the ammunition only be used in the gun in which it was originally fired. If the ammunition is to be used in a different gun of the same chambering, of course!, the sizing die should be adjusted down until it just contacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke.
This results in a slightly greater amount of headspace, but will allow the ammunition to be used in several different guns. Whichever adjustment style is used, full length sizing is generally the best sizing method for most shooting situations.
Adjusting the full length resizing die for the correct shoulder bump for "YOUR" chamber also controls the amount of head clearance the cartridge has.
Over resizing the case will create a excessive amount of head clearance and cause the case to stretch and thin in the base web area when pushed beyond its elastic limits to contact the bolt face.
I have a Lyman full length .223 die that pushes the shoulder back .009 shorter than the GO gauge when it makes contact with the shell holder. Meaning full length resizing does "NOT" mean the die must touch the *shell holder.
*Unless you have the competition shell holders.
The above posting was brought to you by the people who actually read the front part of their reloading manuals, like the Sierra manuals Exterior Ballistics section. :
stool
erik,
what i was trying to point out was the diff between fl sizing per the commercial die makers instructions and the very limited sizing done by you and others.....
what i was trying to point out was the diff between fl sizing per the commercial die makers instructions and the very limited sizing done by you and others.....
Erik Cortina said:
bigedp51
If you read the link I posted earlier the types of sizing operations are well covered.
Sierra Exterior Ballistics
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/resize.cfm
Excessive Resizing
Instructions included with most die sets suggest screwing the die body down until it contacts the shell holder, when the ram is at the top of its stroke. We feel that this is undesirable as it often results in excessive resizing, which in turn, can result in reduced case life. While this may be necessary when the ammunition being loaded will be used in a number of different firearms, we strongly recommend that resizing dies be adjusted using the first method described in the Full Length Sizing section whenever possible.
Below a fired unresized case
The plus .004 competition shell holder was used to "FULL LENGTH RESIZE" the case.
Below the full length resized case with .003 shoulder bump for my AR15 rifles.
Sierra Exterior Ballistics
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/resize.cfm
Excessive Resizing
Instructions included with most die sets suggest screwing the die body down until it contacts the shell holder, when the ram is at the top of its stroke. We feel that this is undesirable as it often results in excessive resizing, which in turn, can result in reduced case life. While this may be necessary when the ammunition being loaded will be used in a number of different firearms, we strongly recommend that resizing dies be adjusted using the first method described in the Full Length Sizing section whenever possible.
Below a fired unresized case
The plus .004 competition shell holder was used to "FULL LENGTH RESIZE" the case.
Below the full length resized case with .003 shoulder bump for my AR15 rifles.
I've done both for many years and I'm now totally committed to full length sizing with a .002" shoulder bump.
For years I believe the myth that neck sizing will increase case life and improve accuracy. I found neither of these is true when compared to full length sizing IF DONE PROPERLY .
By full sizing properly I've experience no loss in case life, some improvement in accuracy and flawless functioning the latter of which is of prime importance to me.
For years I believe the myth that neck sizing will increase case life and improve accuracy. I found neither of these is true when compared to full length sizing IF DONE PROPERLY .
By full sizing properly I've experience no loss in case life, some improvement in accuracy and flawless functioning the latter of which is of prime importance to me.
many thanks for the replies to this as i know it is a topic with many answers and as effendude said we are all here to learn so i don't mind now asking questions, i have a lot to learn so there will be many questions
HH
HH
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