Thread: Neck sizeing for dummies

Ive done a fair bit of reloading but never bothered neck sizeing
Ive just brought a 6.5 grendel and ive had to buy laupa brass as it was pretty much the best option available as the cheaper option hornady isn't much cheaper
But at $2.20 per peice I want it to last as long as possible
So ontop of a hornady fls die set I got a 6.5 neck sizeing die hornady also
Im told that this is a universal die for any 6.5 cartridge
That's a bonus as my other rifle is a 260rem

But tell me how to use it
How do i set it up
Do I need lube
How often do I need to full length size
Any other advice?

Will probably send brass away to be Annealed every so often as I have never bothered with that ether so wouldn't have a clue...r&p brass isn't worth the hassle shoot it till its stuffed and get new stuff

Rifle is bolt action by the way

I only neck size my brass, have done so for years. You may need to FL size after 4 or 5 shots to bump the shoulder back, but at that point I usually flick the brass on TM and buy new again.

1. Read the instructions, I use Hornady dies, the steps to set up are basic and clear to understand when you have the dies in hand
2. Never go in dry.

You won't use the same die for 2 different cartridges due to length.

Rambo - years ago I bought a Hornady unversal neck sizing die in 22 cal for my 22-250. I was most disappointed with it. By unversal they mean the hole in the die is huge to take a range of cases from small to large. It means ever the larger 22-250 is poorly supported through the sizing process - worse than normal cartridge specific dies. Mine induced runout. It will do a range of cartridge lengths by adjusting the stem up or down to suit.

I modified the die and relegated it to a universal decapper.

Otherwise Timmay has pretty well covered it and yes you need to lube.
For neck sizing only I use Hornady One Shot spray (aerosol) with the plastic tube fitted and spray at an angle from 2 sides so that the inside of the neck get lubed as well as the neck. Let them dry b4 sizing. I don't know what you use for FLSing lube but if you do get One Shot don't be tempted trying FLSing with it.

Another option is to use your FLSing die backed off to neck size. Some cartridges depending upon their shape/body angle will let you do this without the die starting to make contact with the sides nearer the base. This method will only neck size part way down the neck but that is not a problem - Wilson Neck Sizer only size 2/3 of the way down on purpose.

I use a Lee Neck Collet Die, works great. I have never used lube with this die.

Originally Posted by kiwiazonic

I use a Lee Neck Collet Die, works great. I have never used lube with this die.

Yep great dies, using them myself but unfortunatley Lee don't do the Grendel in a collet die.

Originally Posted by Timmay

Never go in dry.

Advice to live by...

As far as lube goes im currently useing a bottle of dillon stuff just lanolin and alcohol as far as I can tell seems to work fine for fls

I've got Lee and hornady I prefer the Lee ones for lube I just have a small bowl with some lead shot in it and tip some graphite in with it dip the neck in and your away

I got some Imperial wax lube for NS - works really well. I now tumble after sizing and sorts it out nicely.

I size, sonic clean, dry in oven on as low as it goes then load

highly recommend you get Redding neck sizing dies. You can order them from Sinclairs in US and they'll be here in a week.

If you order the reading die, you can take a standard neck sizer for the Grendel and buy a floating (tungsten ?) olive in 6.5 that will go on the olive shaft.
But if you want to rework your brass even less, you go with a reading type -S but you might need to just touch up the outside of your necks to improve consistency, although your lapua could be pretty good in that department .

ill try my hornady one if i dont like it i will replace

Redding type s comes as neck sizers or full length sizer ( I was not aware of shoulder bump ones. Learn something new everyday) I think there are some Neil jones dies, which are custom made to the brass you supply and are the bees knees.