Thread: full size vs neck size

So getting through a few rounds now and I have 20 rounds of hunting ammo ready to go..whew! These are full sized cases, trimmed to length.

My question is when I come to reload the cases for a 2nd time neck size only, not trimmed with the POI be the same or near enough not to worry. All other prep and components the same.

Interested to see your thoughts.

To satisfy my curiosity I have loaded some 2x fired and will compare at the range to my 1x fired, still interested in what your experience is.

If weather all good will post results on the weekend

cheers

Dino

I have found with the dies i am using i get less neck tension using a neck die.

I pretty much full length everything except the 303.

All theory aside, I will be surprised if you notice any difference.
It will be interesting to hear your results.

I doubt you will notice a difference in POI

I did the same thing when I started loading and couldn’t notice the difference between brass that had had 1 - 5 firings, neck sized or full length sized. (Dies all the same brand)

For normal hunting loads it won’t matter.

Maybe it makes a difference when you bench rest shooting to a million yards but if you’re a poor shot like me

Keen to hear how you get on though

Neck sizing isn't really needed for hunting ammo, IMO it causes too many possible balls ups. If your concern is case life, measure your head space, then adjust the die to set the shoulder back just enough to feed smoothly.

If you do only neck size make sure you chamber all rounds before loading to ensure they feed into the chamber nicely.

Nothing like trying to chamber a round that doesn't want too, whilst an animal is standing there going WTF was that ?

So I had a packet of federal orange packet stuff for the 300wsm, once fired it left small extractor marks, anyway I neck sized them and they were really hard to chamber.
I got some norma brass and loaded it up then once fired I neck sized and they went in sweet as. Why?

Should add once I shot off those tight reloads from the federal brass I put them through the full length size die and neck sized after those ones had been shot and its fine.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Neck sizing isn't really needed for hunting ammo, IMO it causes too many possible balls ups. If your concern is case life, measure your head space, then adjust the die to set the shoulder back just enough to feed smoothly.

How can there be any more balls ups them normal?

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I full length my 308 now as loading for 3 of them its easy to grab the wrong ones and whoops they won't chamber if just neck sized.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I full length my 308 now as loading for 3 of them its easy to grab the wrong ones and whoops they won't chamber if just neck sized.

Does nt that make the brass life a bit shorter or not ? Asking as I don't know .

Originally Posted by tui_man2

How can there be any more balls ups them normal?

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As mentioned, hard feeding, poor neck tension, powder spilled in the action if you load tight in the throat etc. I really can't be fucked with it.

Originally Posted by tui_man2

How can there be any more balls ups them normal?

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Just two posts from this thread alone ....

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I full length my 308 now as loading for 3 of them its easy to grab the wrong ones and whoops they won't chamber if just neck sized.

Originally Posted by Toby

So I had a packet of federal orange packet stuff for the 300wsm, once fired it left small extractor marks, anyway I neck sized them and they were really hard to chamber.
I got some norma brass and loaded it up then once fired I neck sized and they went in sweet as. Why?

Some good thoughts coming out here.

for my situation I only load for 2 rifles, they belong to me and in different calibre's.

I neck size using Lee collet dies and as Kiwigreg says, as long as you check they fit the chamber before loading all good.

I have decided to neck size for a couple of reasons

1-easy and no lube
2-using a case that is a match for my chamber
3-less working of the case, should improve case life. not a huge one for me but it does figure
4-Lee collet dies have a good rep for runout, not that I measure it, just roll the buggers and eyeball it so hardly scientific.

Just my thoughts

Cheers

Dino

If your worried about a lack of tension when neck sizing, use a smaller bushing. That's the point of neck sizing, to control the tension.

Full length sizing every reload is for people who are either to lazy or can't be bothered keeping an eye on what's going on with their brass.
I guess for bush hunting loads full length sizing is fine, although a little hard on the brass.

Originally Posted by L.R

If your worried about a lack of tension when neck sizing, use a smaller bushing. That's the point of neck sizing, to control the tension.

Full length sizing every reload is for people who are either to lazy or can't be bothered keeping an eye on what's going on with their brass.
I guess for bush hunting loads full length sizing is fine, although a little hard on the brass.

You are assuming guys are using bushing dies