788HAM said:
I full length re-size every case for my .300 Savage '99 ! I've been told, and have read, one needs to FL size each case for a lever and an auto rifle, neck sizing won't accomplish whats needed for these rifles. I FL size for my '99 250-300 also. StretchNM, I've got brass from 5 and 6 reloadings, never had one separate like yours have, I use RCBS dies, always have.
It isn't necessary to full-length size for levers. I have been neck-sizing only for both model 99's and, for much longer, for four different Marlin levers. Now, the shoulder will eventually flow forward a little, so a full-length sizing is sometimes necessary, whether you adjust the die for a full sizing or just enough to push the shoulder back. I've been FL sizing my 30-30 and 35Rem brass every tenth firing (with no annealing). Oh a guy might run into a lever rifle that has a nice, tight chamber, but even then, if it were me, I would not adjust the FL sizer all the way for a full sizing. At least, not unless the rifle's chamber demanded it.
Now that model 99DL has a chamber and headspace issue. It expands so much that FL sizing works the brass too hard. It certainly isn;t the dies, no matter who makes them. I went with Redding for that rifle because, as I said, Lee didn;t make a collet die for it. Redding (I think RCBS might make one too) made a neck sizer, so I bought it - though it pained me to do so. Anyway, now I'm back up to 6 firings, so we'll see.
Anyway, on these old rifles, you do have to watch the chamber and headspacing. I've read quite extensively on the model 99, and even with a nicely chambered action, writers are nearly unanimous in their agreement that it's best to shy from maximum loadings. Granted, the action is not built as solidly as a bolt action or a Marlin lever, but their reasoning focuses more on the generous chambers that Savage "put" into some of these rifles. Of course, I cannot vouch for their theories and experience, except that my DL model is certainly one of those rifles.
That EG model of mine, even though it's 13 years "older", has no chamber issues whatever, but I still refuse to FL size (just as I do on all rifle calibers I handload for). FL sizing just works the brass too much for me whereas neck sizing does not.
Auto loaders? That's different, I'm pretty sure. I don;t reload for my semi-autos, but if I did, I would expect to probably have to FL size them all.