Rifle Dies: Full Length or Neck only

[ocabj]

I've been reloading 9mm and .45ACP for awhile now. I'm looking to start into rifle reloading for my AR-15 in .223 and my Savage 10FP-LE2 in .308.

I know rifle dies come in Full Length and Neck sizing only, but I don't know which one to choose. What applications should full length and neck only be applied to?

 

[dakotasin]

typically you'll want to neck-size only rifle brass. however, after enough shooting (and it depends on caliber what 'enough' is) you'll have to fl size to get the brass to chamber.

as far as the ar goes, you'll want to fl size every time.

in both cases i would get the fl dies. fl size ar brass. set the fl die for the 308 to neck size (by backing the die out), and then fl size when necessary (when you can't get the brass to chamber).

 

[GinSlinger]

Dakotasin:

set the fl die for the 308 to neck size (by backing the die out)

Can you explain that in more depth? I am using Lee Pacesetter dies in .270 and .30-06. I would like to neck size only, but thought I needed to buy another die.
Thanks,
GinSlinger

 

[Steve in PA]

Well........for my .30/06 hunting rifle.....I partially resize the case using a full-lenght resize die. I was doing the neck size only thing but figured the partially resized case was a better idea.

Partially resized or neck sized only cases should only be used in the rifle they are destined for.......don't inter-change the above rounds between different rifles.

I full length resize the brass for my M1 Garand using the RCBS X-die.

 

[swifter]

I keep insisting that, if you don't want a dedicated neck die. you're better off doind a partial FL than trying to necksize with a FL die. Factory chambers being what they are - sloppy - , its difficult to size the neck without sizing some of the body.

My solution is the relatively inexpensive Redding FL 'S' die, with the bushing. The expander ball is removable. Throw it away. Set the die up so you bump the shoulder back about 0.003", no more, and size the neck about 1/2 way down. This will extend brass life, and give most of the benefits of neck sizing.
Hope this helps,
Tom

 

[Lloyd Smale]

for your ar15 youll want to full length size you might even want to consider a small base die to insure functioning through an auto.

 

[redneck2]

FWIW...

Lee makes a neck sizing die that's supposed to be inexpensive and accurate. There are guys that shoot BR that use these so they must be pretty good. I'm getting ready for work or I'd look it up.

some guys will tell you to back off a full length die to patially neck size only...problem is that the base isn't held and the neck can cock and give a lot of run-out

 

[Quantrill]

I full length resize .223 and 30-06 for AR15 and M1 Garand. I use the small base dies for these rounds after having trouble feeding with just the full length dies. The small base dies did the trick for me. Quantrill

 

[Art Eatman]

I've used a full-length die to necksize only for bolt-action rifles, for beaucoup years. All I bother to do is keep screwing the die into the press and ramming the case up to see how much of the neck is being resized. When I get to about the 2/3 point on the neck, I lock the die in place.

Using a small-base die for semi-autos reduces the likelihood of extraction problems.

Art

 

[Byron]

I have been relaoding for 30 years and have always full lengthed sized the dies. I have always been pleased with the accuracy at ranges up to 300 yards. Byron

 

[Nero Steptoe]

Lee makes an excellent, inexpensive collet-type necksizing die. It's all I use for necksizing for my bolt rifles. They're available as part of the set when you get the Deluxe rifle die set.

 

[Sunray]

Full length for the AR. Semi's require full length for reliable feeding. You can neck size for the Savage if you don't use the brass in any other rifle.

 

[Gewehr98]

That Lee collet neck-sizing die is the cat's meow!

Especially when you have hungry Lee-Enfields in .303 British to keep fed!

 

[Smokey Joe]

Neck-size!!

Here's another vote for the Lee Collet die, and for neck-sizing only. But for semi-autos, as for many leverguns and pumps, you have to FL size every case, every time.

In my bolt gun, with cases which have been through that same gun before, neck sizing is the way to go for most accuracy. When I got the neck-sizing die, I prepared a number of rounds identically, except half were neck sized and half were FL sized. Then out to the range for a shoot-off. So I have the numbers to demonstrate, at least to my own satisfaction, that my rifle likes 'em neck-sized. I think this is true of bolt guns in general.

Some individual guns don't seem to care if the brass they're fed has been full- or neck-sized. So as with most things, it boils down to a big fat "it depends." You'll have to try it both ways with your own rifle to find out.