I was loading up some 308 this morning and found I owned a neck sizing die that I had forgotten I got in a Lee set. So, for fun, I took 5 cases from my Bergara B14 HMR and neck sized them only. They chamber just fine in the rifle and all dimensions are within spec. So, I have loaded up 5 of them and will see if there is any difference in accuracy. I know neck size only has dropped in popularity significantly as I seldom here it mentioned anymore. Curious if anyone still does it.
Anyone still neck size only?
- Thread starter Grizzlypeg
- Start date
It works until you have to bump the shoulder or full length size.
I used to neck size a long time ago, but I like the idea of consistency with bumping every time and is what I do nowadays. Probably a smart idea for hunting situations as well. When I have new brass, I like to shoot it twice before bumping the shoulder, and from there on it’s every time. I use a Redding body die and Lee neck collet die.
I used to neck size a long time ago, but I like the idea of consistency with bumping every time and is what I do nowadays. Probably a smart idea for hunting situations as well. When I have new brass, I like to shoot it twice before bumping the shoulder, and from there on it’s every time. I use a Redding body die and Lee neck collet die.
I have a Lee Enfield that I neck size only. Chambered for 303 case with a tight neck and barrel. I shoot 308 bullets in it. I haven’t bought a die set for 6.5x54 MS so until I do I’ll continue neck sizing. My Contenders I neck size until the shoulder needs bumping back. Works for me so haven’t changed my setup.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Pretty much have full length sized. Perhaps it's working the brass too much. But I'm a hunter first, so lose my brass in a snow drift or long grass before over working it.
Well, in some chamberings I have several different rifles. Usually there will be one or more of them that are accurate enough to set aside cases that are only fired from each of their chambers.
I also have two sets of dies for those chamberings.
One is set up to set back the shoulder to Saami specs and the other is set to 75% reduce the neck diameter length.
It does make a difference in some rifles.
I do this with a 308Win, which is in reality a 7.62 Palma Match chambering and a Remington 700, with a very tight factory chamber and Varmint barrl-el.
The other two rifles are ordinary sporters with factory barrels that shoot acceptably for what they're used for.
I do the same for 7x57, 8x57, 30-06, 6.5x55, 7.5x55, 223rem, 303Brit, 30-40 Krag, 25-35Win, or any Berdan primed cases. If I only have one rife in a particular chambering, then the cases are partial neck sized only.
It saves a lot of wear and tear on cases fired in rifles with chambers on the max side of mean specs or in some when their chambers are cut a bit deep, but still shoot well with fireformed cases.
Today's chambers are usually very close to median spec and full length resizing might be indicated. I wouldn't neck size only for semi auto rifles either.
At the price of cases today, whatever I can do to extend their life, safely, I will do.
I have some 30-06 Dominion Ctg Co. cases from the sixties with well over 80 reloads on each of them. They get a full-length annealing treatment every 5 shots, trim if needed, and bump back the shoulder a couple of thou. I shoot them exclusively through a Remington Model 721, with a very tight factory chamber, that sits in a custom AAA Birds Eye Maple stock and is fitted with a detachable magazine.
I also have two sets of dies for those chamberings.
One is set up to set back the shoulder to Saami specs and the other is set to 75% reduce the neck diameter length.
It does make a difference in some rifles.
I do this with a 308Win, which is in reality a 7.62 Palma Match chambering and a Remington 700, with a very tight factory chamber and Varmint barrl-el.
The other two rifles are ordinary sporters with factory barrels that shoot acceptably for what they're used for.
I do the same for 7x57, 8x57, 30-06, 6.5x55, 7.5x55, 223rem, 303Brit, 30-40 Krag, 25-35Win, or any Berdan primed cases. If I only have one rife in a particular chambering, then the cases are partial neck sized only.
It saves a lot of wear and tear on cases fired in rifles with chambers on the max side of mean specs or in some when their chambers are cut a bit deep, but still shoot well with fireformed cases.
Today's chambers are usually very close to median spec and full length resizing might be indicated. I wouldn't neck size only for semi auto rifles either.
At the price of cases today, whatever I can do to extend their life, safely, I will do.
I have some 30-06 Dominion Ctg Co. cases from the sixties with well over 80 reloads on each of them. They get a full-length annealing treatment every 5 shots, trim if needed, and bump back the shoulder a couple of thou. I shoot them exclusively through a Remington Model 721, with a very tight factory chamber, that sits in a custom AAA Birds Eye Maple stock and is fitted with a detachable magazine.
I have several sets of Redding Type S competition dies.
Those neck size only.
The rifles that use those dies all have their own brass so there are no issues of brass not fitting in other rifles.
I anneal every second firing and I use a body die to bump the shoulder back 0.002” at the same time.
I’m not going to get rid of quality dies because of a new fad.
Those neck size only.
The rifles that use those dies all have their own brass so there are no issues of brass not fitting in other rifles.
I anneal every second firing and I use a body die to bump the shoulder back 0.002” at the same time.
I’m not going to get rid of quality dies because of a new fad.
I neck size for several of my vintage guns with rimmed cases.
I full length size for my match rifles, or what my father used to call "partially full length size", because the case does not get fully resized.
Cat
I full length size for my match rifles, or what my father used to call "partially full length size", because the case does not get fully resized.
Cat
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Full length versus neck sizing is actually not a new debate, it has been going on since I started shooting in the 60's!
What you are doing by using your Redding competition neck dies ( I also use them) by bumping back the shoulder is partially full length sizing.
I think Bob Scovil did an article years ago about partial full length sizing as well , pertaining to cast bullets and hunting cartridges.
When Eric Cortina went on his big rants on Yutube about neck sizing , I was trying to figure out his motive behind his videos, because from what I could see, he wasn't explaining things completely.
It came clear to me after watching a couple.
Cat
- Location
- Nova Scotia
The fire formed ones I just neck size.
In my mind there is only 1 style of die I would own and that is a Type S full bushing die. When set up properly it allows you to bump the shoulder the few thousandths that you need along with choosing the neck tension you want depending on the size of bushing you use.
Just neck sizing gives your brass a better chance of acquiring memory a lot faster than a controlled shoulder bump.
Ideally if one decides to buy there own reamer, your order it along with the sizing reamer to have a sizing die made. Then you get the perfect fit. The cost is a lot more but if you stay with a caliber you will have the best you can have.
Just neck sizing gives your brass a better chance of acquiring memory a lot faster than a controlled shoulder bump.
Ideally if one decides to buy there own reamer, your order it along with the sizing reamer to have a sizing die made. Then you get the perfect fit. The cost is a lot more but if you stay with a caliber you will have the best you can have.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Neck sizing on its own will not be popular with todays higher pressure chamberings... brass will expand after firing making chambering again, stiff. Bumping the shoulder and slimming the case body will prove necessary for smooth and easy chambering.
If you are shooting reduced pressure loads with a system that has a decent/tight lock up, neck sizing could continue to be useful. Just anneal the necks every firing or two. Say you were into cast bullet benchrest, neck sizing would be ideal.
Jerry
If you are shooting reduced pressure loads with a system that has a decent/tight lock up, neck sizing could continue to be useful. Just anneal the necks every firing or two. Say you were into cast bullet benchrest, neck sizing would be ideal.
Jerry
They sell different size mandrels so they may have something in stock unless you have an odd caliber.
