• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

full length resize or neck size only ?

Millions?
Well, I've bought 3 in the last year.
2 reading 1 hornady
Backing a FL die out 1 full turn from touch works pretty good too.
Before you proceed to RIP me a new ass,
read my signature!
 
Neck sizing is still popular on other forums, maybe you can bring it back to the glory days.
LE Wilson makes a good one
 
Neck sizing is still popular on other forums, maybe you can bring it back to the glory days.
LE Wilson makes a good one
Mornin brother,
Heres what I know.
Yes 9 outta 10 guys FL/bump size 100% of the time.
I'm working on it, but still neck size on occasion. Depending on how the spirit moves me, and that is determined on last firing chambering easy or stiff.
Everyone has to find thier own path in this sport and figure out what works for them and thier equipment.
 
I benchrest only 308 caliber , I full size some of my friends neck size , give both a honest try and see what works best for you . Accuracy in reloading , case prep , knowing your chamber measurements . The only special did is my Redding Competition Seating die and Competition Shellholders .
 
There’s probably a lot of closet neck sizers.;)
They just won’t admit it....
LOL
it is nice to not fool around with the lube....

now, on a more serious note.... ed matunas published his notes on the subject PI (pre-internet) and over 15+ years of his record keeping IIRC he found no accuracy benefit nor increased brass longevity when neck sizing only. i have the article but it is actually on paper. Obviously came from old AR mag in the last quarter of the last millennium.
 
I neck size after the first firing & occasionally after the second on several calibers. But I'm using a Newlon blank that has been cut with the finish chamber reamer and I'm setting it so the bushing is sizing approx. 60% of the case neck. - I'm also using Imperial case sizing lube (light coating) on the neck only to try to ease any stress that could be placed on the body of the brass case. - Until the brass is fully formed to the chamber, which I determine though measurements taken with a shoulder "bump" gage then I'm neck sizing. - From about the Third firing on I'm F/L sizing and bumping the shoulder 0.0005 to 0.001 and I'm checking for "feel" in the chamber with a dry piece of sized brass.
As was mentioned, a Proper Full-Length sizing die is "Key" to where it is just sizing the body the correct amount.
 
There are always some variables in a discussion of this sort. Those that have no experience with closely matched chamber and die, will be thinking of their experiences with mismatched die chamber combinations. There is also the matter of accuracy expectations and standards. They can vary considerably. Another thing is what different people mean when they refer to"shooting benchrest". For some, it means any shooting from a bench using some sort of rest and sandbag setup. Others are referring to actual competition. Some people own concentricity gauges, others don't. Experiment, and do what your targets tell you works the best. If you have the urge to buy a new toy, think about better dies and/or a concentricity gauge.
 
On the other hand,you could be telling the myth.

Not really, at least base on my experience of loading thousands of center fire rifle cartridges for nearly 50 years. When I first started loading for precision varmint loads I used neck sizing since that's what the gun writers were saying at the time produces the most accurate reloads and longest case life. The only compliant about neck sizing that I had was functionality. I had to contend with an occasional neck size round not chambering and having to full size every so often which became a pain trying to predict which in turn meant I had to check each round to make sure it would chamber if I didn't full size. By the way using the instructions for full sizing that came with the die produced over sizing.

Then I met an experience bench rest shooter / reloader. I tried his advice, full sizing with a slight shoulder bump to custom fit the case to a specific rifle chamber. Initially I used the manual method, adjusting the die a little at a time until I obtain the right fit in the chamber. It worked well enough but eventually I began using measuring gauges and dies shims to refine the process to achieve optimum shoulder bump.

Been doing that now for over 20 years and I've experienced no loss in accuracy or reduction in case life. In some cases accuracy improved albeit only slightly. But the key for me was having reliable reloads that would function without difficulty and without having to check each one in the rifle before I went into the field.

PS: I have a drawer full of neck sizing dies to prove I tried them. :(
 
.... It worked well enough but eventually I began using measuring gauges and dies shims to refine the process to achieve optimum shoulder bump.

Can you elaborate what those tools are? I just started precision reloading with a co-ax and Forster dies. I also have a digital caliper and have been looking at hornady comparator kit to measure CBTO. Seems like I need some additional measurement tools but not sure what else.
 
At some point, what is needed is some direct exposure to reality, rather than online discussion. Go to a short range group benchrest match, and watch people reload. Without interrupting their progress unduly, ask how they are sizing. They are all there doing the things that they believe will give them the best chance of doing well in or winning the match, based on their own experiences and observation of the top shooters. This is all known stuff that is not controversial.

People resist believing good information.
 
Can you elaborate what those tools are? I just started precision reloading with a co-ax and Forster dies. I also have a digital caliper and have been looking at hornady comparator kit to measure CBTO. Seems like I need some additional measurement tools but not sure what else.
Wilson case gages are a Datum based tool that will serve you well.
J
 
Back in the day, when they first came out, and were made by Stoney Point, (now sold by Hornady) I bought one of their comparitor sets that Hornady incorrectly calls a headspace gauge. Before that I had a Wilson gauge for one caliber and while they work, I prefer the Stoney Point/Hornady tool. It works just fine, and with the set of attachments it covers every caliber that I have.
 
Exception To The Rule:

IMO there is only one reason for not FL resizing....... progressive press reloading for high volume colony rodent shooting.

Neck sizing allows the case to be resized without lubricant...... no spraying and no cleanup after.

My 223's are loaded using a Lee collet die and Vartarg's with a Redding bushing neck die.

Yes there's an occasional tight case, but keeping the lugs greased allows them to chamber without galling. Then keep them separate for FL sizing in a body die next reloading session.

However, there may be a solution to the bothersome lube cleanup associated with FL resizing..... Ballistol lube and no cleanup as has been posted in AS tech articles. I have used Ballistol successfully for forming VT's from LC brass so it sure oughta work for high volume FL resizing.
 
My single experience where neck sizing provides better results than FL is for my 223. After the initial firing the head space does not grow, and remains very consistent such that neck sizing provides more uniform headspace than FL. All cases are approx .001 clearance so no tight chamber issues. I have proven this to myself on four different barrels. This is not the situation for any of my other rounds which do require FL sizing for proper clambering.
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
164,756
Messages
2,183,686
Members
78,500
Latest member
robbsintexas
Back
Top