You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
neck sizing ?
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
AVirginian
New member
I would if I had one.
Neck sizing works the brass less and has a better chamber fit. I do neck size for other rifle cartridges.
Neck sizing works the brass less and has a better chamber fit. I do neck size for other rifle cartridges.
kilotanker22
New member
Dont know about .223, but the only rifle I own right now that I neck size for is my 300 win mag. As stated before they fit the chamber better and it works the brass less. With my 300 win mag if I full length sized I would be moving the shoulder back .015". In my opinion that is working the brass too much.
My 270 wsm for example needs to be full length sized every time. If not I meet resistance when chambering them. Although that rifle has a really tight chamber. I assume made to minimum specification.
My 270 wsm for example needs to be full length sized every time. If not I meet resistance when chambering them. Although that rifle has a really tight chamber. I assume made to minimum specification.
I will neck size 223 brass that has been fired in my rifle...Ruger American. All other brass of unknown origin get the FL treatment until it has been fired in my rifle.
I use a 55 grain Hornady FMJ SPBT projectile over 24 grains of 223 with a CCI 400 primer. Case trim is 1.750 and COL is 2.23. Comparing FL sized cases to neck sized only, I see negligible difference in groups at 100 yards. I neck size for the ease and not having to use case lube when sizing.
I use a 55 grain Hornady FMJ SPBT projectile over 24 grains of 223 with a CCI 400 primer. Case trim is 1.750 and COL is 2.23. Comparing FL sized cases to neck sized only, I see negligible difference in groups at 100 yards. I neck size for the ease and not having to use case lube when sizing.
NoSecondBest
New member
Over a long period of time of carefully measuring a lot of groups, you might see a bit of difference in group size. However, it will probably be negligible. I used to turn necks and neck size only...until I realized that for hunting purposes it was a waste of time. Neck sizing only does save some time loading until you're forced to FL the case at some point in time. If you're a bench rest competitor, it's all worth what ever you can squeeze out of it. For me it's not.
kilotanker22
New member
Honestly I don't see a difference in accuracy for any of my rifles between full length and neck sizing. That's why I only neck size Belted magnum cartridges usually. I assume that Factory ammunition still headspaces on the belt and that's the reason for the Shoulder being pushed so far forward after firing. I am not certain though. With this 300 win mag I have. I have 20 pieces of brass that have been fired 5 times and no sign of case failure yet. I am sure I would see something by now if I was pushing the shoulder back .015 every time I size and then pushing it forward everytime I fire it.
Biggest downside is you'll have to FL resize 'em eventually anyway.
How you size has nothing whatever to do with accuracy. It's strictly a case life extender. Don't think I'd bother with .223. The stuff is everywhere.
"...headspaces on the belt..." Belted cases only headspace on the belt. And you can't change that. Cartridges do not have headspace.
How you size has nothing whatever to do with accuracy. It's strictly a case life extender. Don't think I'd bother with .223. The stuff is everywhere.
"...headspaces on the belt..." Belted cases only headspace on the belt. And you can't change that. Cartridges do not have headspace.
I have heard that with neck sizing, you will eventually need to full length size.
This has not happened to me yet.
I did a test with my Stevens 200 in 7mm-08AI.
Using PPU brass.
Fed 210M primers
Alliant PP2000
Hornady 139gr SST.
Used 5 casings, (i know, not a large test) i reloaded those 5 cases 30 times. Neck sizing only.
Note, after 10 times i did the paperclip test every load since, to make sure i wasn't going to get head separation.
Trimmed every 2nd loading.
No issues to report.
This has not happened to me yet.
I did a test with my Stevens 200 in 7mm-08AI.
Using PPU brass.
Fed 210M primers
Alliant PP2000
Hornady 139gr SST.
Used 5 casings, (i know, not a large test) i reloaded those 5 cases 30 times. Neck sizing only.
Note, after 10 times i did the paperclip test every load since, to make sure i wasn't going to get head separation.
Trimmed every 2nd loading.
No issues to report.
reynolds357
New member
Ask any Bench rest shooter and they will tell you that full length sizing yields more accurate groups than neck sizing. Proper full length sizing, not bottom out the die on the shell holder and then add 2 turns.
kilotanker22
New member
I figure all you need to full length size the case as far as the die will do it. Is a slight advancement of the die. For example with my 270 wsm or my 6.5 creedmoor. If I put the ram all the way up and screw the die down until it touches the shell holder. Then when I size a case. There will be space between the shell holder and the die leaving a small portion of the case that has not been sized. If I then advance the die 1/8 of a turn. I can feel the Firm contact between the shell holder and die. Also you can see that there is no longer a space between the die and holder. They make firm contact and advance the case as far into the die as far as it will go.Ask any Bench rest shooter and they will tell you that full length sizing yields more accurate groups than neck sizing. Proper full length sizing, not bottom out the die on the shell holder and then add 2 turns.
I assume that your "2 turns" comment was a bit Sarcastic?
Also I neck size with my full length die. I am not shooting competitions or anything so I don't buy any special dies. The amount I have to back the die out to size the entire neck without touching the shoulder is trial and error, but usually also ends up to be about 1/8 turn.
Neck sizing works the brass less and has a better chamber fit.
What is 'better' about it? Given the choice, I prefer to have the bullet aligned in the throat, rather than the case aligned in the chamber.
If you full-length size correctly for the chamber, bottle-neck cases will usually give-out either at the neck or the primer pocket, just the same as if you neck size them. Correctly sizing the body of the case makes little or no practical difference to case life compared to neck sizing.
Rebs,
Possibly what you should be doing is segregating your brass.
As you don't NEED to full length size everytime for acceptable accuracy in the bolt gun. But the AR should be full length sized every time.
A turret press makes this an easier process, as all the dies are in the turret, and you can advance them as a single stage press with no need to mess with the dies.
Possibly what you should be doing is segregating your brass.
As you don't NEED to full length size everytime for acceptable accuracy in the bolt gun. But the AR should be full length sized every time.
A turret press makes this an easier process, as all the dies are in the turret, and you can advance them as a single stage press with no need to mess with the dies.
kilotanker22
New member
I bet it does make a difference when you are working the brass enough to move the shoulder forward and back by .015-.020 every time you fire and size. Example some belted magnum rifles.
My other rifles are all full length sized every time.
My other rifles are all full length sized every time.
My brass is separated for the AR band the Tikka bolt gun. I was resizing some of the AR brass to load for the bolt gun. I have since ordered brand new brass that will only be for the bolt gun. I am thinking I will continue to load for the AR on my progressive press and load on my single stage for the bolt gun. I guess the biggest problem was bumping the shoulder back on the fired AR brass so it would fit in my bolt gun ?
If am desiring to make the load compatible between several rifles, usually full lenth size the brass. If certain rifles take advantage of neck sizing, like belted, than i neck size for several loadings. If recovering brass from several semi autos and it needs to be compatible with some bolts, than i use sb die.
Lots of alternatives depending on situation. Sure alot of BR shooters full length size, but are they may have very tight chambers etc.
End up doing what works for want i want to accomplish, there is no "best".
Lots of alternatives depending on situation. Sure alot of BR shooters full length size, but are they may have very tight chambers etc.
End up doing what works for want i want to accomplish, there is no "best".
Ask any Bench rest shooter and they will tell you that full length sizing yields more accurate groups than neck sizing. Proper full length sizing, not bottom out the die on the shell holder and then add 2 turns.
The reloader that started that cute little story about bench resters full length sizing had (and "they have been doing it for decades", 'he said') to modify his response once he learned to reload; meaning he was making this stuff up when he went from team shooting to being a reloader/adviser.
What did he add? He went from full length sizing to 'full length sizing' to bumping the shoulder back .002".
I have found it impossible to bump and or move the shoulder back with a die that has full body support; problem? Not for me, there is nothing about full case body support that I do not understand, I do understand the problems presented when trying to size a case with a seating die (the seating die does not have case body support).
F. Guffey
m&p45acp10+1
New member
I do it for my Model 12 Long Range Savage. For one thing I use a Lee Collet Die.I do not have to lube cases. Also no need to tumble them as none hit the ground. So I save some labor, and time right off the bat. Also I do get measurable improvement in accuracy. The first time after the initial fire forming gives me some increase in accuracy. The next time after, and all subsequent times there after it is fully fire formed. I have some Hornady cases that I have run 14 firings that the primer pockets are still tight, and there is no extra effort needed to close the bolt on them. I got over 20 firings from some LC cases before the primer pockets started to get loose.