Another AR question.

[flipajig]

For my AR I have been full leanth resizing all my brass for my single shot and bolt guns I neck size only.
If I'm shooting the same brass in my AR do I have to full leanth resize or can I neck size I know it's my brass out of my rifle.
Flip

 

[cfullgraf]

Full length resize for your AR.

While generally a standard full length resizie die will most probably work just fine for your AR, if you currently do not have a full length resize die, I recommend buying a small base resize die.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Yep, best to full size for the AR. Not as important in the bolt guns if you are an advocate of fire forming your brass to a specific rifle (like I do my -06 and neck size after that).

 

[flipajig]

Thank you for the replyes I was hoping to be able to neck size I guess that is out.
I'm useing a stanard 223 Full Leigh sizeing die with no issues.
Flip.

 

[gamestalker]

You can certainly neck size for your bolt and single shot actions, but for most any AL actions, such as the AR, you should FL size with either a SB die, or a standard FL die to avoid any cycling issues. SB dies are often a good choice for AL actions, as the brass has more chamber tolerance, which enhances reliable cycling.

Same to be said for seating depths with AL loading actions. Use an OAL that will cycle reliably, rather than trying to chase the lands, as one might do with a bolt, or single shot action.

GS

 

[45lcshooter]

Or to just keep things simple, FL size all your brass. That's what I do, and for mid range powder load, I get about 5 loads in 5.56 through those AR. And if you wanted to neck size,you can use a FL to neck size as well.

 

[steve4102]

Here ya go.
Note the section on sizing. They also have a few comments about SB dies.

http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm

 

[flipajig]

Thank you Steve for the link great read.
On the section on case tension on the bullet I know you can get into pressure issues if you don't ream the inside of the case neck. This might be a dumb question but here we go should you ream the inside of the case neck?
I'm loading for a Armerlight AR and I'm planing on useing it for Varmit hunting so I'm not a large volume shooter. Except when shooting at Rockchucks.
Flip

 

[steve4102]

I know you can get into pressure issues if you don't ream the inside of the case neck. This might be a dumb question but here we go should you ream the inside of the case neck?

Never heard such a thing. No need to "ream" the inside of the case neck, unless you want to, I don't, never have.

 

[moxie]

Never have seen a need to ream case necks. I do chamfer and deburr after any trimming.

I use standard RCBS FL dies, not SB. Never any problems.

I do not crimp. Plenty of neck tension without it. Do a press test to check every now and then.

 

[mtrmn]

Quote:
"On the section on case tension on the bullet I know you can get into pressure issues if you don't ream the inside of the case neck. This might be a dumb question but here we go should you ream the inside of the case neck?"

No problems with AR's.
All those little tricks for that extra .000001" consistency are fine for bolt guns and are probably worth it in the long run, but when loading for AR's they seem to have little/no effect. Best just to FL re-size, load to max mag length with most bullets, and apply the K.I.S.S. principle to your AR loading. No need for concentricity gages all that other fluff as long as you load within max limits and the finished round will chamber. Just normal, basic load development--don't over-think it.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Small base re-sizing is largely unnecessary. I have the RCBS x-die small base kit for my AR and a Lee delux .223 kit for the Bolt guns. I've used the FL Resizer in both for the AR and have noted no difference in reliability or performance. I think its a marketing scheme personally. I haven't read of the small base dies making any difference for anybody come to think of it.

 

[mtrmn]

Small base re-sizing is largely unnecessary. I have the RCBS x-die small base kit for my AR and a Lee delux .223 kit for the Bolt guns. I've used the FL Resizer in both for the AR and have noted no difference in reliability or performance. I think its a marketing scheme personally. I haven't read of the small base dies making any difference for anybody come to think of it.

Yes--the SB dies did make a difference for me back in the day....probably about 1985 or so when I got my hands on my first AR. Some rounds with regular RCBS FL dies were hard to chamber, and SB dies fixed that. I should have mentioned it in my other post.

How prevalent the problem is today on more modern guns I have no idea. I just used SB dies ever since and never looked back. I am not one to worry about over-working brass etc. YMMV

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Small base re-sizing is largely unnecessary. I have the RCBS x-die small base kit for my AR and a Lee delux .223 kit for the Bolt guns. I've used the FL Resizer in both for the AR and have noted no difference in reliability or performance. I think its a marketing scheme personally. I haven't read of the small base dies making any difference for anybody come to think of it.

They aren't necessary unless your chamber is on the small side. I started reloading .223 with a set of Hornady dies. That ammo ran fine through my dad's Bushmaster. But ammo from the same batch wouldn't chamber in a buddy's POF 415. Everything looked good when measured out. When I busted my Hornady decapping pin on a piece of Berdan primed brass that snuck by (the only Berdan primed .223 I've seen to this day) I went and picked up a set of RCBS small base dies. Problem solved for the POF. I've since replaced the decapping pin in the Hornady die and brass sized in it is only .002-.003" bigger than brass sized in the RCBS die. Not much difference, but enough to matter in some rifles.

 

[flipajig]

Thank you for the replies. So far I've tryed 4 different powders IMR 8208xbr, H 335 , IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 out of the 4 IMR 4895 and IMR 3031 show the best promis. H335 had the highest valosity at 3400 fps IMR 3031 at 3200 fps with good accuracy and IMR 4895 at 3100 with the best accuracy. IMR 8208 was Deasint in the accuracy department but the valosity was at 2800 fps I think I'm going to bump it up some and see what it will do I'm loading my contender at 25.5 grains with outstanding accurace and running 2880 fps with a 55 grain pill. Oh what fun we are having.
Flip