FL Sizer Die And Lee Collet Neck Sizer

[345 DeSoto]

I'm going to full length size all my once fired Military .223 cases...a necessary step in the reloading process. I have read that using a Lee Collet Neck Sizer die helps a bunch with accuracy...as does deburring the flash holes and uniforming them. My question is, after I FL size the cases, can I then use the Lee Collet neck Sizer on them? Cases are all WMA NATO(Police range), trimmed to 1.75", flash holes uniformed to 3/32" and deburred. I'm looking for the best accuracy I can get. Thanks, guys...

 

[rcmodel]

No.

Sizing them twice in two different types of dies will just overwork the brass twice as fast and lead to early split necks.

If you are shooting them in an AR, FL size so they will chamber and call it good to go.

You can't neck size for a semi-auto anyway.
Or at least shouldn't!!

rc

 

[v8stang289]

What RC said. You can neck size brass after it has been fired in your rifle's chamber (as long as it's not a semi) but there's no point in full length sizing and neck sizing.

 

[345 DeSoto]

Forgive my ignorance, but why can't neck sizing be used in my auto loader (AR15, Wylde chamber) after the case has been FL sized and fire formed to my chamber ?

 

[rcmodel]

Because half of them will be too tight to chamber in a semi-auto, and the bolt won't lock all the way shut.

And you can't get them out either.

With a semi-auto, reliabilty and easy chambering is the #1 goal for safety reasons.

Ultimate accuracy and long case life is secondary if your bolt sticks halfway shut every few rounds.

Neck sizing is not the magic accuracy secret it is cracked up to be anyway.

Then you will run into case neck tension problems during feeding with various brass unless it is all neck turned to the exact same OD before choosing a neck size mandrel size.

Fogadaboutit, MmmmmKaaaa?

rc

 

[Otto]

Forgive my ignorance, but why can't neck sizing be used in my auto loader (AR15, Wylde chamber) after the case has been FL sized and fire formed to my chamber ?

You're right, you can certainly use the collet die after you FL size. It gives you better concentric rounds and uniform neck tension. Be sure you remove the expander ball in the sizing die first.

Of course, the Collet die can not be used on a progressive press.

 

[USSR]

The best way to use 2 dies to FL size your brass is to use a Redding body die in combination with either a Redding bushing neck sizing die or the Lee Collet neck sizing die. I FL size all my ammo using the 2 Redding dies mentioned.

Don

 

[joem1945]

I have neck sized many .223 for use in my Colt Match Target rifle. I do trim them to 1.550 and have never had any fail to chamber, fire and extract. My other AR's just get FL sized, trimmed and loaded.

 

[notaglockfanboy]

HOLD THE PHONE BOYS!!!! There is a reason why RC is telling you to not use a neck sizer in the semi auto. There are countless threads about guys having issues with rounds not chambering in the AR platform and 99.9% is because the shoulder was not set back enough. You cannot set the shoulder back with a neck sizing die. Feel free to lock your rifle up and come back asking for advice how to get it shooting again, because that is what will happen. RC usually don't post to hear himself talk, he gives sound knowledgeable advice, and on top of that it aint his first rodeo mmmkay.

 

[TwoEyedJack]

I use a Lee Collet die for a finicky Ruger #1V in .223. The difference in accuracy between a traditional full length sizer and the Lee neck sizer is huge in this rifle, basically shrinking 1.5" groups down to less than 3/4". The Ruger #1 has a huge amount of leverage to basically crush that casing into the chamber. The benefits are no lube needed and at least a dozen reloadings. That said, I would never attempt to reload for a semi-auto with it.

I have an RCBS small base die for resizing once fired military brass, which surprisingly gives excellent accuracy in both my Tikka T3 and my AR.