FL vs Neck Sizing

[mander]

I am getting back into reloading (retired now and about 15 years since I did any local competition shooting at local club) and I mostly neck sized. After reading many forums I see that FL sizing seems to be the standard now.
What are you doing ?
I have Pre 64 Model 70 in .243 and .270.
thanks

 

[GSPV]

I FL size all my custom stuff. On the one factory chamber, I neck size till things get sticky, then I FL size. If I had a custom die for the factory chamber, I'd FL size it, too.

The important thing is to get the most consistent fit that you can get without getting sticky.

Take it for what it's worth. Opinions vary.

 

[K22]

I full length resize for two reasons - 1. better functionality in the field and, 2. less run out which promotes improved accuracy.

However to full size properly you need some means to check the head space of a fire case and adjust your die accordingly so that you are not over sizing the case. There are several inexpensive tools to check the head space of cases such as the Hornady head space tool, Wilson Case Gage, Sinclair head space tool - Read the article entitled "Basics Resizing Case Dimension written by German Salazar on www.riflemansjournal.blogspot.com

 

[fdshuster]

We're pretty much in agreement here, as you noted: FL size each & every loading, bumping the shoulder back about .002" from the as fired headspace length. Applies to both standard dies and neck bushing FL.

Better consistancy, bolt never has a chance to develop hard bolt lift after firing, or hard closing on a live round.

 

[Shynloco]

Mander,
Like you, I'm retired also and having a ball doing something I never had a chance to do when working and that's reloading my own ammo. And since starting out in reloading several years ago, I went through the learning process and of course, met the Benchrest crowd. Precision Reloading became the order of the day and since reading a number of well written books by some of the experts, coupled with advice from several folks on this blog and my local shooting partners, I learned that to remove variables and maintain consistency, gotta Full Length size each and every time. Nothing wrong with Neck Sizing as its good for hunting, but then 1" groups are not acceptable any longer in what I seek when I hit the range. So figure out what you'd like to do and go for it. But I strongly recommend (like the others), that you FL Resize your brass. Neck sizing to prevent "working brass" is often overrated and though FL resizing may cause having to replace brass more often, to me it's worth the effort to FL resize for overall better performance, consistency and accuracy. Good luck and have fun.

Alex

 

[Judd]

If given the choice I use a Redding Neck die S...I FL size only on an AR or if I plan on using the brass in another gun (which I typically do not do).

 

[K22]

Full length resizing, done properly, does not reduce case life - I can say this unequivocally based on full sizing all my cases for four caliber for the last 10 years. When my cases fail, it in the neck area which would be worked to the same degree by neck sizing.

Full sizing, done properly, also produces more uniform cases with less run out in my experience and places less stress on the bolt lugs.

 

[bozo699]

Full length resizing, done properly, does not reduce case life - I can say this unequivocally based on full sizing all my cases for four caliber for the last 10 years. When my cases fail, it in the neck area which would be worked to the same degree by neck sizing.

Full sizing, done properly, also produces more uniform cases with less run out in my experience and places less stress on the bolt lugs.

100% spot on!!!!

Mander,
Like you, I'm retired also and having a ball doing something I never had a chance to do when working and that's reloading my own ammo. And since starting out in reloading several years ago, I went through the learning process and of course, met the Benchrest crowd. Precision Reloading became the order of the day and since reading a number of well written books by some of the experts, coupled with advice from several folks on this blog and my local shooting partners, I learned that to remove variables and maintain consistency, gotta Full Length size each and every time. Nothing wrong with Neck Sizing as its good for hunting, but then 1" groups are not acceptable any longer in what I seek when I hit the range. So figure out what you'd like to do and go for it. But I strongly recommend (like the others), that you FL Resize your brass. Neck sizing to prevent "working brass" is often overrated and though FL resizing may cause having to replace brass more often, to me it's worth the effort to FL resize for overall better performance, consistency and accuracy. Good luck and have fun.

Alex

Alex,
Hunting is when I would least do any neck sizing, I wouldn't want to be taking a follow up shot on a trophy of a life time and not be able to chamber the round because it should have been f/l sized but it wasn't and you have trouble closing or opening the bolt! They should outlaw neck sizing dies! f/l always!!!
Wayne.