Case Length after Neck Sizing

[PFC FMJ]

This is my first crack at 308 loading. After neck sizing 15 rounds, I noticed 2 of them are a different length than the others. Is this a deal breaker? Should I sort them by length, trim them to match? The case length is 2.015 max and they are coming out at 2.009 (same before and after neck sizing). 2.015 is the "recommended" length in my Lyman's manual. Please advise.

And while I've got you...
With a Lee Deluxe Die set, should I lube the neck when neck sizing.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Case Length after Neck Sizing

You're fine. Load them and go shoot. They'll grow the more you shoot them.

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: Case Length after Neck Sizing

A little powder add some heat and your all set. Aint that how it's done on the farm Victor? least that's the way i remember it.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Case Length after Neck Sizing

Let's not discuss that part here... Please...

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Case Length after Neck Sizing

"With a Lee Deluxe Die set, should I lube the neck when neck sizing."

No.

And don't sweat the case length thing either. The 2.015" isn't a "recommended length", per se, it's the standard SAAMI max case length. The usual recommended "trim to" length is 10 thou less than max but it's not critical. It's nice to have everything the same but, fact is, some things really don't matter and that's one of the things that don't matter.

 

[nhm16]

Re: Case Length after Neck Sizing

The 0.010" less than SAAMI length is only a recommendation; your chamber's neck may be longer or shorter than the SAAMI standard. The trim length doesn't really matter as long as it's shorter than your chamber's neck; the 0.010" under SAAMI length is really just a rule of thumb.

You can use the Sinclair chamber length gauge with a case with a shortened neck to find out the actual length of your chamber's neck, and trim 10 thousandths shorter than that.