Neck Sizing

[statjunk]

Hello guys,

I'm trying to understand the idea of neck sizing. Here is my interpertation of it. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You fire the cartridge in your gun so that the brass from the shoulder to the primer pocket fire forms itself to the shape of your chamber. Then you use a resizing die to only affect the mouth where the bullet is seated. Thereby decreasing the case stretch because you are resizing less of the case.

Question1: Can I just size the neck of my brass with a standard re-sizing die and if so how?

Question2:If I decide to start sizing cases this way should I wait till I'm shooting with a fresh batch of brass?

I know that the bullet may only be good for my rifle but that is ok by me.

Tom

[dmurphy317]

In a way, yes. It's called partial full length resizing. The concept is to set the die a little higher than for a FL resizing. Start with the die several turns up and run a case through it, then check to see if the case will easily chamber (I take the firing pin out of the bolt so the only resistance I feel is the case). Adjust the die down a bit at a time and recheck until the bolt just closes without any resistance, then start resizing all your brass. The result is a case that is just barely under the size of the chamber and a neck that has been resized. It does work the brass a bit more than neck only but not as much as FL resizing.

Good luck.

ORIGINAL: statjunk

Hello guys,

I'm trying to understand the idea of neck sizing. Here is my interpertation of it. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You fire the cartridge in your gun so that the brass from the shoulder to the primer pocket fire forms itself to the shape of your chamber. Then you use a resizing die to only affect the mouth where the bullet is seated. Thereby decreasing the case stretch because you are resizing less of the case.

Question1: Can I just size the neck of my brass with a standard re-sizing die and if so how?

Question2:If I decide to start sizing cases this way should I wait till I'm shooting with a fresh batch of brass?

I know that the bullet may only be good for my rifle but that is ok by me.

Tom

You can partial full length any fireformed piece of brass. I don't recommend and won't recommend partial unless you have a shoulder gauge to see whats going on. I hear guys using candles and markers, but its always inconsisent. Mostly inconsistent due to the expander ball dragging back thru pulling the neck inconsistently.

If you really want to do this, spend a few bucks and get a collet die. Very cheap from Lee. RCBS neck sizers tend to cause runout over time.

[dmurphy317]

I agree, I use to partial full length resize but I like the Lee collet die much better and it's reasonably priced. I only FL resize if the brass starts getting a bit tight after 5 or 6 reloads. That or replace it.

[handloader1]

Do your self a favor, and by a neck sizer for your caliber.

You can neck size used brass.

Good luck.

[statjunk]

I'm going to order one for my 300WM and my .308.

Thanks

Tom

ORIGINAL: statjunk

I'm going to order one for my 300WM and my .308.

Thanks

Tom

I like the collets, but I had to polish the collet to get good neck tension. Alot of people seem to ahve to do the same.

[Solitary Man]

To quote Frankenstein's monster (as portrayed by Boris Karloff of course):

"Lee collet neck die........goooooood, conventional neck dies......baaaaaaad!"

[statjunk]

Does Lee have a patent on the Collet die? Why don't other manufacturers produce them.

Tom

[Solitary Man]

Yep, I believe they do.