Neck sizing options

[Renton83]

I have a RCBS full length resizing die and a Lee classic die that just neck sizes. I don't want to always do a full length resizing since I'm using the same rifle. Am I better off using my lee classic die or can I just use the RCBS press and back it off the neck size.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Either will work but I have found the Lee neck dies to be very good at sizing brass necks. Their design seems to work very well for a moderate price.

 

[Renton83]

I guess I should clarify I mean the Lee die you use the hammer with. I am tempted to buy their neck die for my press though.

 

[hdwhit]

I don't want to always do a full length resizing ... Am I better off using my lee classic die or can I just use the RCBS press and back it off the neck size.

In my opinion, once I have the lock ring properly adjusted on a die, I don't ever want to change it. The lock ring on my .223 Remington sizer die was last set in 1981.

I suggest you use the Lee die for neck sizing.

I bought a Lyman neck sizer die with a carbide expander ball and I now move the decapper/expander rod with the carbide ball between my RCBS full-length and Lyman neck sizer dies as needed and I don't have to adjust either die.

I should also mention that almost all of my .223 Remington is shot out of an old 181 series Ruger Mini-14. Since the brass is fire-formed to the chamber, I will just neck size it if I'm using it for plinking loads because it's not a catastrophe if the round doesn't chamber and I have to take "immediate action" to slam it home or eject it and neck sizing does make a difference in the life of the brass. I don't shoot at anything smaller than the circle on the side of a milk jug nor at ranges longer than 225 meters, so I can't say whether it has any impact on accuracy.

 

[spitballer]

All I ever do is neck size, and in the beginning I got a lot of good rounds out of the classic Lee Loader but it got a bit tight as the brass became harder. Lee can open up the neck for a reasonable fee, if you know exactly what size you'll need. Keep in mind that necks from standard chambers will need more than one sizing, since it's generally not considered a good idea to reduce the neck more than .001" or .002" at a time. But for an undersize neck, a modified Lee Loader might actually be a real time-saver. For more advanced neck sizing equipment take a look at Wilson also.

 

[Renton83]

For $35 the Lee classic loader does a good job that's for sure, although the hammering can get tedious. I do prefer using my press for bullet seating though as it seems to give a more consistent depth and is gentler on the bullets.

 

[spitballer]

the hammering can get tedious...

...yep, and nerve wracking when hammering in those primers! I've had good luck using the sizer on an arbor press though.

 

[hdwhit]

...although the hammering can get tedious.

I started out with a Lee Loader.

I got tired of the hammering, too and started using a bench vice to push the case into the die and then to push it out again after I inverted the decapper.

 

[oldreloader]

Either will work but I have found the Lee neck dies to be very good at sizing brass necks. Their design seems to work very well for a moderate price.

I agree. I started buying the Lee collet neck sizer when I add a caliber. They work great. Just as good or maybe better than my older style Redding.

 

[Renton83]

On my Christmas list is a hand primer, using the one on my press stinks and I don't like hammerin them in much either. The Lee Collet die is pretty cheap which makes me wish I got it instead of my RCBS full size die. I find I almost need to trim every time using it because the case stretches so much.

 

[spitballer]

I've got the greatest respect for Lee and I've had very excellent service from them and love "Modern Reloading", but the collet die is where I simply have to part ways: once I bought a box of metal case ammo that had been crimped with one of those things and the grooved necks made the cases almost impossible to reload. I'm still shaking my head over that thing... unless I'm failing to understand the operations involved. Maybe the factory crimp is a different operation, unrelated to the collet die.

post script: sorry guys my bad: crimp is unrelated to collet, and for all I know the collet die works great. Should have engaged brain before running mouth