How stiff is too stiff

[Graywolf.260]

Wondering about brass prep in my first 6.5 CM, a Tikka CTR. I have been using 100 rounds of new Lapua brass that are now 7x fired and so far have only been neck (collet) sized. No need to trim, the length is fine, 1.915”, but the bolt closure has become a little stiff, though not bad, and doesn’t seem to be getting worse. The accuracy is as good if not better than ever. I’m wondering if there is any issue with carrying on until the primer pockets get loose or some other case structural problem appears. I like the idea of minimally working the brass and generally spending minimal time on case prep. If I can get 8-10 firings with nothing but collet sizing and not having to shoulder bump or full-length size, and keeping great accuracy I’d be happy. So what is the downside if any to this lazy approach, just wiping cases and running in a Lee collet die and repriming and loading? I can live with a little bolt stiffness. Seems logical that this would happen as the case forms and then it should stabilize. Is this flawed thinking?

 

[JLP.Payette]

Youll have a hard time getting rounds to chamber if your ever out shooting on a dry day with alot of blowing dust. I prefer a smooth bolt throw without the felt bumping of shoulders in the chamber myself. Accuracy wont degrade by bumping your shoulder a thou.

 

[Steel head]

You could possibly gall some actions if it gets really stiff.
I neck size with a collet 3 times then run it through a body die on the fourth, they just start getting tight at that point.
Brass life is not harmed a bit with that regiment.
my Current lot of 260 brass has 41 loadings now after culling about 30% last round due to sloppy primer pockets

 

[straightshooter1]

Wondering about brass prep in my first 6.5 CM, a Tikka CTR. I have been using 100 rounds of new Lapua brass that are now 7x fired and so far have only been neck (collet) sized. No need to trim, the length is fine, 1.915”, but the bolt closure has become a little stiff, though not bad, and doesn’t seem to be getting worse. The accuracy is as good if not better than ever. I’m wondering if there is any issue with carrying on until the primer pockets get loose or some other case structural problem appears. I like the idea of minimally working the brass and generally spending minimal time on case prep. If I can get 8-10 firings with nothing but collet sizing and not having to shoulder bump or full-length size, and keeping great accuracy I’d be happy. So what is the downside if any to this lazy approach, just wiping cases and running in a Lee collet die and repriming and loading? I can live with a little bolt stiffness. Seems logical that this would happen as the case forms and then it should stabilize. Is this flawed thinking?

Had the same issue with my .308 brass doing as you're doing in just neck sizing with a collet die and I even would bump my necks .002 that would help in not having the stiff bolt closure. But, eventually I FL sized the brass, which proved to (in effect) get the brass back to where I can neck size for a while again. Then, do it all over again. When neck sizing only, one will always come to a point where FL sizing is necessary (unless one has a uniquely cut chamber to avoid such).

 

[hafejd30]

I run a collet die only on several rifles. 308/260/300 etc. only bumping .002 when needed and repeating.

I run until the bolt operation isn’t smooth anymore. I don’t mind a bit of resistance but when you start having to apply a bit of force to close then I fl in a Redding body die.

I run mine through the body die first then back through the collet die

 

[Dthomas3523]

You have two choices:

Lazy and not consistent

Consistent but not lazy

Depending on the level of accuracy required, each approach has its pros and cons.

 

[19Scout77]

Neck sizing is for bench rest, not tactical shooting. Ammo that works...until it unexpectedly doesn’t is completely contrary to one of the primary needs/purposes of tactical-type shooting. Bump the fucking shoulders.

 

[bfm1851]

Good info above. I neck size for about 5 or 6 reloading's then run them thru a FL die and start the process all over again. Lors of guys don't let them go that far but I don't push the load too much so I am not having any problems. Of course when the primer pockets get loose I throw chink them.

 

[918v]

Bolt lugs need clearance to rotate open and close. Think about that.

 

[Gohring65]

Keep your lugs greased or you will gall them. Years ago when I first started reloading, I neck sized only a 300 Weatherby. It was a Vanguard action, I had a very sharp burr on one of the lugs. Ruined that bolt in my opinion.
Grease will help mitigate this.

 

[Graywolf.260]

Good points about lugs and galling that I hadn’t considered. They motivated me to go ahead and FL size after the eighth round of collet neck sizing. Hopefully I’ll get another eight rounds of collet sizing before doing it again. Balancing my desire for precision and taking care of my rifle with sloth...

 

[Steel head]

To me the only benefits of neck sizing is brass life and enabling my lazy tendency.

My experiments indicated that a reasonable shoulder bump every time shot exactly the same as neck sized.

 

[Gohring65]

To me the only benefits of neck sizing is brass life and enabling my lazy tendency.

My experiments indicated that a reasonable shoulder bump every time shot exactly the same as neck sized.

Me too, I do only neck size for the first two firings to make sure my brass is fully formed to my chamber. Then I bump with a body die and neck size with a collet, unless they’re not available then I use a fl bushing die.