Full Length Sizing vs. Neck Sizing

[Chizzy]

Hello:

Just a quick question regarding full length sizing vs. neck sizing.

I have three Savage rifles all chambered in .223 Remington (Model 11FCNS, Model 12 FVSS, and a Model 16 FCSS). I hunt with two of these guns and use the Model 12 for target shooting off of the bench.

My Lee "Modern Reloading" manual makes a reference to full length sizing being desirable for hunting ammunition and for cases from different guns.

I am wondering if it would be acceptable and safe to use fire formed brass for each of my three guns (assuming I was vigilant about separating the brass from my three guns) and neck sizing the brass followed by the Lee factory crimp die.

I am confused by the manual's reference that full length sizing would be desirable for hunting ammunition. Does neck sizing not lead to more accurate loads?

It is my understanding that the case life would be increased and in addition, I am under the impression that I would not need to lube my cases if I were neck sizing my brass with a Lee die.

Is there anything wrong with my reasoning? Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Chizzy

 

[Levi Garrett]

Varmint gun, run em through the gun full length, (if once fired) if new, run em through the sizer anyway, then once these cases have seen action in your action, then neck size em all, do the same procedure for all varmint guns, and just keep em seperate..

 

[BigUglyMan]

What Levi said. After the first FL size and firing, neck-size only and keep your ammo separate and you'll be fine. I suggest different headstamps to help keep things straight. I have 3 45-70s that I load for. One is BP only (I think a smokeless load in it would easily blow the rifle apart and cause serious injury), the others are Level 2 smokeless (the High Wall might be a Level 3 - Strong action). I use nickel-plated brass in the hot smokeless loads to keep a disaster from happening since they all use cast bullets. The same theory might help you with your dilemma.

Or sell at least one of the 223s and get something else.

You may need a touch of lube inside the case necks to keep the expander ball from sticking but only a very tiny amount.

 

[sbtennex]

Hello:

I am confused by the manual's reference that full length sizing would be desirable for hunting ammunition. Does neck sizing not lead to more accurate loads?

It is my understanding that the case life would be increased and in addition, I am under the impression that I would not need to lube my cases if I were neck sizing my brass with a Lee die.

Is there anything wrong with my reasoning? Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Chizzy

No, there's nothing wrong with your reasoning. Neck sizing doesn't necessarily mean more accuracy - it certainly can help, but not in all chambers. Some simply are sized a bit differently and shoot F/L resized better than neck or partial sized.
Case life is almost always better, but really only means much in hotter loads, larger cases, or real slow burning powders. I lube the inside of about every third case even if neck-sizing. Really lowers the drag on the expander and makes the whole operation easier and requiring less force. The Lee Factory crimp dies I like a lot and use them on most of my hunting ammo. I partial size just about everything (except straight walled cases of course), and just barely bump the shoulder - make contact but don't really set it back and then make sure they chamber okay.

 

[manitou210]

Chizzy you may hunt all your life and maybe yes maybe only get one chance at a 200 class B &C deer, you fire and mis your first shot, deer runs 25 yards and stops, you crank another round very fast and there could be a problem with only necksized brass. I only use new brass for my hunting loads, trim run through full lenght die, do primer pockets clean brass in Birchwood case cleaner let dry very dry and load them. Target I only use necksized brass
manitou

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

If you have any concerns with neck sized brass, you could just take your loaded ammo and your rifle outside and cycle it once through the gun, while pointed in a safe direction.

Five cartridges or so, won't be a major hardship, right?

 

[270bob]

If you have any concerns with neck sized brass, you could just take your loaded ammo and your rifle outside and cycle it once through the gun, while pointed in a safe direction.

Five cartridges or so, won't be a major hardship, right?

I agree with Bobby, I neck size all my varmint calibers and full size all hunting ones. I don't want to take a chance on missing a prize animal because I had to mess around with problem brass .