[the count]

Has anybody tried to compare groups shot with brass that was only neck resized vs. brass that was fully resized. Of course with the exact same load and bullet, etc. To have a statistical value you probably would have had to shoot at least 10 groups of each. Also, how often can you get away with only neck resizing? One guys told me that after a 3 or so shots they get too difficult to close the bolt on and you have to do a full resize.

[Centurian22]

Tagging for reference as I will be reloading .308 soon and I'm curious myself.

[aka108]

I never had any difficulty closing the bolts for neck sized reloaded ammo in 303, 8mm, 762x39, 30-06 or 308. 6.5 Swedish needed to be full length sized after about 10 uses or it became a little tough to chamber. Do neck sized only reloads give better accuracy. I don't shoot well enough to notice any difference. You cases will last a lot longer if you neck size. If you are shooting anything other that a bolt action you will need to full lenth size you cases.

[rayatphonix]

I've recently run the test for 25-06 and 30-06. I used a chronograph to measure speed and 2 groups of 5 (10 bullets total) of each caliber and case sizing method (40 bullets total). The load was the best I had come up with for that particular bullet/gun combination based on full-length sizing. Groups were a visual comparison. In my tests the groups did not get any better and sometimes were slightly worse but velocity increased 40-50 fps and was more consistant. I achieved SD of 5 to 7 with neck sizing; 17-22 with full-length sizing.

I believe I need to tweek the loads to better suit the neck sizing dies and my groups will improve vs full-length sizing. I'm confident enough it'll work out that I've started sorting my brass for bolt vs semi-auto actions where I have two rifles of the same caliber.

On a similar line I tried neck sizing my 223 brass for my bolt action 223. I haven't measured velocities, but without changing the load my groups improved.

[R.W.Dale]

I once ran the same test for 223 and the neck groups did indeed edge out the FL groupings but only slightly.




posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about

[blarby]

Yes.

Its consistently more accurate.

Properly fireformed initially, I can get 4-5 firings before a FL sizing would be required.

I've had some take less- obviously I did something wrong. I've had some that still haven't been FL sized using the same bolt gun. I obviously did those right.

In a fireformed case, if you aren't creating enough pressure to push the brass- it does not go anywhere.

In a fireformed case, if you ARE creating enough pressure to push the brass- more than likely you are causing it to creep up the neck.

It all depends on your chamber.

[the count]

Here is a picture on the one time I shot neck and full resized 308 rounds. The difference might just be a fluke, cant say just from this one range visit. 100 yards. The center target got hit 4 times (neck) and the one on the left also 4 times. In case you are interested, its a Rem 700 SPS Tactical with a Choate sniper stock, 2 stage Timney trigger, 175 Sierra Match King bullet over 41 grains of H335. OAL 2.92 - shooting off the lands. (Yes, that's a long round).

PS The neck sized brass is Winchster, the new, full sized is Lapua. Cant wait to shoot those two brands of brass neck to neck (pun intended) ;)

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/44723422/target.jpg

[Andrew Leigh]

I tried with my 30-06, fireformed Reminton cases and Lee dies.

Results were most dissappointing but I think it is probably my fault. I cannot seem to get the neck tensions uniform, this I feel when seating. So anyone with suggestions on maintaining seating tensions.

[blarby]

Lee dies.


I cannot seem to get the neck tensions uniform, this I feel when seating

Are you using the quick change bushings ?

If so ....

One of the biggest problems I found using exactly your press and tool set, was that the "wiggle" in the quick change bushing where it seats against the release button could create as much as .002-.003 slop in any case or seating adjustment. Make sure that your die is seated correctly in the quick change bushing, and that it is set with the bushing divot resting squarely to the left of the release button. This will allow you to make sure its in the same place each time you set it for a process, and that its in the same place during each execution of that process- or your rounds will never be the same dimension.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=681899&highlight=change

It might be part of your FL sizing, it might be different headstamps of brass in one batch causing it... but the above advice has fixed a lot of problems for new lee press users- even if its not your specific problem cause or remedy.

Try sizing ten cases of the same head stamp, and checking tension.

Then try ten different ones, and check again.

Case thickness might also be your culprit.......

[ranger335v]

I suppose I could try to sound like an expert and make a solid statement. Fact is, a lot of people like myself (and organizations like the NRA and bullet makers) have tested the effects of FL vs. neck sizing on accuracy; the results are inconclusive.

[the count]

I suppose I could try to sound like an expert and make a solid statement. Fact is, a lot of people like myself (and organizations like the NRA and bullet makers) have tested the effects of FL vs. neck sizing on accuracy; the results are inconclusive.
It could simply be one of those things where under a combination of circumstances the accuracy could indeed be slightly better with neck resizing alone. But several other things might have to be present also to create a 'perfect storm'.

[Jasper1573]

organizations like the NRA and bullet makers) have tested the effects of FL vs. neck sizing on accuracy; the results are inconclusive.

I have done a lot of both types of sizing...both shoot extremely well. Can't say that one method is more accurate than the other.

If I ain't in a hurry, I FL size...if I need brass quickly, I neck size.