Ok I am a newbie, I have always used a FL die when reloading. I load for the same gun. Was wondering what neck sizing only does vs full length sizing. I am certain this topic has been brought up a 100 times somewhere in this forum I am sorry if my questions seems mundane.
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FL Die vs Neck Die
- Thread starter Radhoagland
- Start date
Just as you wrote, neck sizing does only that (the neck). The body die goes all the way down to the web. If you shoot new brass in one rifle you should be fine. If you buy second hand or pick up range brass, you may need a body die (depends on your chamber size). What you will find is you neck size range brass and the bolt will not close (if your chamber is tighter than the one the case was fired). If your chamber is longer, then the bolt will close and you will "fireform" the case to your chamber.
The neck die does not "work" the entire case, so in theory you should get more loads out of the cartridge. Depending on your load, the primer pocket may give out before anything else.
The neck die does not "work" the entire case, so in theory you should get more loads out of the cartridge. Depending on your load, the primer pocket may give out before anything else.
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Neck sizing only sucks in my opinion. I tried it, but have found absolutely no advantage over fl sizing. As a matter of fact, accuracy was marginally worse when I compared fl rounds vs necked rounds. Runout was no better either.
And this is where many have different experiences to this question.
I haven't found any problems with accuracy when neck sizing. This is what I do on all my bolt guns. Saves brass, espically on the 220 swifts I reload for.
FL size on my semi's. Have one that can shoot as well as my bolt guns.
I haven't found any problems with accuracy when neck sizing. This is what I do on all my bolt guns. Saves brass, espically on the 220 swifts I reload for.
FL size on my semi's. Have one that can shoot as well as my bolt guns.
Ok so if I neck size I may get longer case life but accuracy in some guns may vary. I shoot 260 Remy so range brass is not easy to find. If I buy new brass or shoot brass from my gun only I would have an advantage neck sizing only if my accuracy is up to par. Correct?
There is absolutely no advantage to NS only versus a proprely set up FL die, none what so ever, I have some Win 7-08 brass that was resized to 260 that have 25 or more firings with tight primer pockets still.
Sometimes the only way to truly figure things out is to experiment. If you have the equipment, try neck sizing a sample of rounds, and fl sizing another sample. Compare concentricity, then compare groupings and velocities. My hypothesis is that you will find at best, no difference between the samples. I will also throw it out there that you may find better concentricity and groupings with the fl sized cartridges. I haven't had the need to scrap one piece of quality brass in 3 calibers since I started reloading 6 years ago, for about as many as 15 - 20 firings.
The only calibers that I neck size for are the ones in my tight neck custom rifles that I have to neck turn for. There is a positive difference there. In a factory rifle, the difference may be very small or even none at all. I have not seen any difference with case life, as the necks either splits or the primer pockets get loose.
Neck dies are not real expensive, so sometime when you have the extra cash, get one and try it out. I have a few of the Redding 3 die sets that include a neck die. I find that I don't use the neck die, but the set is a little cheaper than buying a separate die later. I'll probably start a fight now, but I don't feel that a bushing die offers a lot unless you neck turn. Another opinion of mine is that bushing dies are not a good thing for a newby to start with. (Flame Suit On). Lightman
Neck dies are not real expensive, so sometime when you have the extra cash, get one and try it out. I have a few of the Redding 3 die sets that include a neck die. I find that I don't use the neck die, but the set is a little cheaper than buying a separate die later. I'll probably start a fight now, but I don't feel that a bushing die offers a lot unless you neck turn. Another opinion of mine is that bushing dies are not a good thing for a newby to start with. (Flame Suit On). Lightman
Bushing dies work well regardless of neck turning. A standard die puts in a bunch of neck tension. With a bushing, you can have a known amt of neck tension. I like them.
I guess we will have to agree to disagree! You don't get consistant neck tension unless you have consistent neck wall thickness. Unless you use an expander ball. If you think you do, and it works for you, thats great. Some brass is more consistent than others, even from lot to lot. Bushing dies are great, but they are not the end all to accurate ammo. I'm still against advising a newby to go with bushing dies until they get enough experience to understand what they do and the tools to measure with. Lightman
