new to rifle reloading

[Vmathes]

I inherited my grandad's 30-06 some time ago, and have finally decided I want to shoot it often enough to warrant adding a die set to my reloading gear. I've reloaded pistol cartridges for a long time, but never a rifle ctg.
So I looked at the Lee dies, and they have two options, the full-length resizing or the neck only resizing die. Which should I choose for a pump-action rifle?

I like the idea of only resizing the neck, as the die is slightly cheaper and I'm working with a hand press (yes, a bench press is on my list), so it should be a bit easier on me than full-length, but I'm not sure if that's really the best way to go.

 

[Idano]

Vmathes,

You might get by with only neck resizing, however, you do run the risk of getting a shell stuck that you can't extract. A pump gun definitely has enough leverage to chamber but I not sure if the extraction has the same retention as a Mauser bolt. My advise is to full length resize and use a RCBS X-Die. Unfortunately I have no experience with a hand press so I have no idea how hard it is going to be to achieve. If funding is an issue I would recommend getting a single stage press, if not you might want to consider either a turret or one of the progressive presses. When it comes to presses you'll get a lot of opinions but in reality they all have the potential to produce excellent ammunition the only uncontrollable variable is the operator.

 

[SASS#23149]

I get along just fine with a neck sizer,and this if for my lever action which is not the best use of a neck sizer...leverguns don't have the oomph to seat a tight cartridge..they say.
HOWEVER, the cases must have been fired in YOUR gun for the neck sizer to work.

YOU don't even need to lube the neck,which saves a little time .

just be sure to check the oal before loading them up,so you're sure they'll chamber safely.

 

[birdbustr]

Full length resize. People say it cuts down on the life of brass, but brass can't last forever anyway you reload them. Even with neck sizing, you still need to full-length resize every other time just to avoid stuck cases.

I prefer Lee Pacesetter dies to RCBS. I've had both, but I only use the Lee dies now. I don't know about the RCBS X-die, but plain RCBS dies are about $10 more for a set, this X-die is probably way more expensive.
For rifle rounds I wouldn't use the hand press for anything but the Lee Factory Crimp. Not really enough torque for anything else. My press is a RCBS Rockchukkar.

 

[NuJudge]

With a Full Length die, you can also just neck size. In order to Full Length size one screws the die into the press until it contacts the shell holder, then screw it in a little more until to take up the spring in the press, and set the lock ring. In order to neck size with the same press, screw the die into the press until in contacts the shell holder, then screw it back out one or two turns, and set your lock ring.

Most die sets I've ever bought had these instructions.

Don't forget to lube cases. Trim cases over maximum length.

CDD

 

[shooter1]

Wouldn't consider anything but full length sizing in lever/autoloaders/pump, rifles. For reliable chambering, these rifles require it.
str1

 

[alucard0822]

I mostly neck size with a lee collet die for all my manual actions, and it makes for some damn accurate loads, but every 5 or so loadings they get to be kinda tight and take some effort to chamber, so I have to full-length size and start over. I don't really belive it makes brass last longer, most of the brass that I have had to throw away was due to split necks or loose primer pockets, which are affected the same with either die. For autos, or steep tapered cases (7.62X54, 303 brit) I full length size only, and still can get about the same number of loadings for each case.

Just remember to inspect every case, every time, lube well for full length sizing, at least check length or trim every time, and you won't have any problems.

 

[Vmathes]

Thanks for the advice; it sounds like I could get away with neck only resizing, but the full-length is a better way . . . and of course, I really do want a bench press for leverage.