Anyone have stats on FL vs. Neck sizing?

[qajaq59]

Since most of my rifles are either levers or pumps I have never used a neck sizing die. But I'm always hearing that neck sizing makes brass last longer. Has anyone ever done a comprehensive side by side test of brass with the two different methods to see just how much longer?
It's no big deal, but I hear it so much that I'm just curious about it.

 

[243winxb]

The neck area of the brass is worked the same when fl or neck sizing with standard dies. The case body is worked less with neck sizing if the fl die is used incorrectly by not controlling the shoulder bump.

 

[Walkalong]

It depends on several factors. Chamber size vs what your FL sizer sizes the brass to makes a big differnce. If it is a big difference, you can make brass last quite a bit longer by neck sizing only, or partial sizing with a FL sizer to make the brass better fit the chamber. I do not keep count, so I can't give you a number.

 

[everallm]

If the brass is fire formed to your chamber then neck sizing will work the cartridge a lot less.

It also means that annealing the neck is relatively quick and easy and will substantially extend the life of the brass.

If it's new to you brass you really need to Full Length it and once fire formed then just neck it.

I don't have comparative statistics however......

 

[Big Az Al]

From, HANDBOOK FOR RELOADERS & SHOOTERS VOLII

bits and pieces of

By, P. O. Ackley. Article Case Life with full length Rsizing, by Fred Huntington,

Rifle Win Mod 70 in 30-06

Cartridges 2 each Reminton and Winchester All casesfull length sized after each firing, size die was a regular production die

Number of times fired and full length resized

#1 Rem case split at 36th firing

#2 Rem case split at 52nd firing

#3 Win case split at 50th firing

#4 Win case split at 55th firing

"Another interesting side light is the fact that these case were never trimmed during the test"

So my question is how many of us actually shoot a case that many times!

I had some 222 cases that I shot about 10 maybe 12 times, not sure I could find them anymore.

 

[brickeyee]

So my question is how many of us actually shoot a case that many times!

If you have carefully prepped cases for a very accurate rifle you want them to last as long as possible.

I have a couple of tight neck Ackley improved barrels for a Panda action chambered by Kelbly.

Both easily shoot less than 0.5 MOA when i do my part with the wind.

The cases are sorted by neck run out, then neck turned, then sorted again, primer pockets uniformed and flash holes uniformed, trimmed if needed, fire formed, sorted again and generally made as identical as possible.

Most of the good lots have been fired at least 15 times (neck annealed at 12 times).

The shoulders need bumping about every 5th reload, but none have required trimming after initial fire forming.

 

[Galil5.56]

So my question is how many of us actually shoot a case that many times!

I never did actually count # of reloadings, but have 100 round lots of 06 brass that are still good after a hell of a lot more than 12 firings of light Red Dot cast bullet loads fired at steel silhouettes. Cases were lightly full resized, and primer pockets are still tight. 55 full power loadings w/o needing trimmed or anything else sure is great case life.

 

[243winxb]

243 win., Remington brass, flrs 12 times so far, no trimming except when new. Bushing dies. I have never had case life past 20 loadings using flrs or neck sizing only. When cases need trimming the 4th time or the necks start splitting, they go in the trash. Annealing the neck has never worked for me, very easy to get them too soft. Custom dies and chamber will make brass last. As far as P. O. Ackley's Story , i dont buy it. "no case trimming" that mean the loads were very light and/or the dies were a perfect match to the chamber. Take your RCBS standard dies, botltle neck types, take measurement of the neck, before, during and after, with and without the expander. You will see that the neck is sized down over .010" + , much more then needed. Then the expander opens the neck back up to the correct inside diameter, over working the brass. Custom fitted dies can be had from RCBS fitted to your fired cases. A great way to go for the average rife. 2nd best is bushing dies. IMO

 

[qajaq59]

Interesting. Thanks for the info guys.

I think my record was on 30-30 cases. They were up to the 18th firing when I happened on 500 once fired R P cases at a really super price and grabbed them. After that I just put the old ones away in a drawer with a note.
I have 200 PVRI K31 cases that have gone at least a dozen firings as well. None have ever split, but I usually anneal after about 5 firings. And I rarely push my loads very much. Luckily I can usually get to accurate, before I get to Max.

Qajaq