Neck sizing

[Papa Whiskey]

Just bought my first neck sizing die. This is safe if the brass has already been fired in it's designated rifle, right? Also, should I be "partial neck sizing" by turning the die back a turn off the shell holder? Pros and cons?

 

[USSR]

Necksizing brass for firing in a rifle that the brass has been previously fired in is fine, although eventually you will have to bump the shoulder back some. Partial necksizing is fine as well.

Don

 

[m33p0n3]

I would add that it is not generally considered a good idea to only neck size rounds going into an autoloader like an AR.

 

[woods]

The answer is to try your fired brass in your chamber. If the bolt closes with a "crush fit" then it is time to do more than neck size and push the shoulder back just a little (.001" to .002"). Set your rifle up on the bench. Close the bolt on an empty chamber slowly to get the feel of the amount of resistance the bolt lugs cause when engaging the chamber lug recesses. Now try one of your cases and compare.

After a few firings you will feel the resistance. Time to use a die to push the shoulder back and size the case body.

 

[JimKirk]

My semi-autos like the AR, Remington 7400, BAR, others all get full resizing.

My bolt action guns all get Partial Full length sizing to a slight Resistance to the bolt turning. Belted magnums too.

Jimmy K

 

[Captcurt]

My ammo is all full lenght resized for my hunting guns. If I want to get absolutely the tightest groups that I can I will necksize, but only for target shooting. I don't want any tight bolts, feeding problems or possible jams when I am hunting. Ask any benchrest shooter and they will say to necksize. Ask someone who has spent years in a tree and they want total reliability.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Here's a tip for those that want to hunt with neck sized ammo. Run the ammo through your gun before heading into the woods. I had problems with ammo that I had neck sized not wanting to chamber easily after climbing into my tree stand over 5 miles from camp. I sometimes hunt with an old Swiss K-31 and learned the hard way that you can't neck size this brass more than a couple times before it becomes difficult to chamber. I now run all hunting rounds through whatever gun I'm using prior to leaving camp to make sure they fit (also ensures I'm taking the right ammo but that's another story).

 

[Jaybird78]

I just got my first neck sizing dies in the mail last weds. I long time reloader at work highly reccommended I neck size for my bolt gun. I shot my last 50 full length reloads this morning. I hope to return next weekend and fire for groups with only the neck sizing done.

I hope to see some results on paper. A added bonus was not having to lube for a full resize.

 

[jamesicus]

I am only producing neck sized cartridges for my 30/06 and .458 Lott bolt action rifles these days -- full length re-sizing using the Lee hand press is much too strenuous for me, far beyond my present strength capabilities. Inasmuch as I use Hodgdon IMR Trail Boss powder (reduced loads) exclusively I haven't had to full-length re-size the 30/06 brass (result of low chamber pressure) even after +/- fifteen reloads. When that becomes necessary, I will do it using F/L dies in my dedicated reloading room.

And yes, always run your re-sized brass - and subsequently completed reloads - through your rifle (with the firing pin removed for safety) to check ease of chambering/bolt closure and proper feeding from the magazine. I always use the rifle I am reloading for as a gauge in this manner.

James

 

[ranger335v]

"This is safe if the brass has already been fired in it's designated rifle, right?"

If you can chamber it, it's "safe" no matter what rifle it was originally fired in. IF your rifle has a smaller chamber than the original it may not chamber easily in your rifle but if the bolt will close it's quite safe. Neck sized "range brass" works quite well if I test each case for a fit in my rifle before I load it.

There is no particular value in neck sizing below the base of the seated bullet.

 

[redbullitt]

I like necking mostly for the decreased wear on brass. Better accuracy is just a perk.

redding makes a great body die that is very handy.

BUT i ll second that FL sizing (or at least test chambering rounds) is a good idea if loading hunting or social situation ammunition.

 

[ElPasoWrangler]

I am curious abotu what I read on floating the barrel using deckscrews. How muchdo you contact the barrel? I just got a like new 7400 in a trade and would like to reduce the verticle stringing if possible.

 

[cheygriz]

I full length size anything for semi-autos.

For the limited number of rounds that I shoot in bolt guns, I prefer to neck size. And for the .303 British, neck sizing is a "must do" if you want your brass to last more than one reload.

But, as has been said before, all hunting ammo should be run into the chamber and checked before heading up the mountain or into the woods.