Thread: full size vs neck size

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

Correct I am. If your not then you should get one! I bet you don't do to much full length sizing Greg.

Originally Posted by L.R

Correct I am. If your not then you should get one! I bet you don't do to much full length sizing Greg.

Correct you are not...

I do mainly full length, all be it set up to just having bolt resistance when closing the bolt.

That may be by using a body die & neck die or FL die depending on the calibre, I load a lot of calibres...

There is a big difference between a sloppy factory SAMMI chamber & a custom reamer spec that matches dies.

I have found in the past the only neck sizing has its down falls unless you are careful.

For the "average hunter" FL makes more sense, after all they will most likely lose their brass before they wreck it.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

Correct you are not...

I do mainly full length, all be it set up to just having bolt resistance when closing the bolt.

That may be by using a body die & neck die or FL die depending on the calibre, I load a lot of calibres...

There is a big difference between a sloppy factory SAMMI chamber & a custom reamer spec that matches dies.

I have found in the past the only neck sizing has its down falls unless you are careful.

For the "average hunter" FL makes more sense, after all they will most likely lose their brass before they wreck it.

What! I thought you said you only neck size that brass for your DCM's. Remember your pressures are such that you can reload each case 20 times with only neck sizing.

For those using collet dies it is possible to polish down the mandrel to increase tension as well.

As i am still pretty new, just getting the basics sorted but will do some measuring to check soon.

so far i have had no obvious problems.

cheers

dino

What about FL vs Neck sizing for belted magnums?

I am just about to start reloading for a 7mm magnum and have both FL and Neck sizing dies available - Redding.

I think if you want to play with it all the power to you, I just think it's a waste of time for a hunting application, and more likely to bite you in the arse if not done right.

Why not for hot loads in particular please. Have not stumbled across that one yet.

Cheers

dino

Originally Posted by Beavis

I think if you want to play with it all the power to you, I just think it's a waste of time for a hunting application, and more likely to bite you in the arse if not done right.

Then you cant be doing it right.........

Originally Posted by Dino

Why not for hot loads in particular please. Have not stumbled across that one yet.

Cheers

dino

If you have a 'warm' load it stretches the brass more then normal, flexing everthing more then normal, you get the sticky lift as the lugs are trying to tear themselves apart on each other, an when you do get the bolt us she wont go back down again without the shoulder on the brass been bumped back, unless you hunt with a bit of 4x2

I've never had problems with the neck sized 6.5x55 and .308 loads yet

Cheers for that

I do hunt with a 4x2, my GWP has wood for brains...lol

Are you saying that neck sized only brass has the opportunity to cause sticky bolt lift more than full sized brass?

Originally Posted by Dino

Cheers for that

I do hunt with a 4x2, my GWP has wood for brains...lol

Are you saying that neck sized only brass has the opportunity to cause sticky bolt lift more than full sized brass?

Haha your safe then mate will always have a hammer

It will but I bump before it gets to that, every 4-5, I do it when I anneal bump them back 2thou an away we go again.

Originally Posted by tui_man2

Haha your safe then mate will always have a hammer

It will but I bump before it gets to that, every 4-5, I do it when I anneal bump them back 2thou an away we go again.

Cheers for the reply

My method currently is neck size, check it fits, if not then I will Full length Resize. I have RCBS dies(just 2 die set) and not sure if I can adjust the bump, will have to do some more reading.

The hammer may be thick but she sure has a good nose, her Owner just needs to be a bit quicker and we will get our first deer together!

Cheers

Dino