Neck or Full Length resizing?

Do you neck size or full length size your brass?

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Hey everyone,

I have got my new reloading bench and equipment up and I am anxious to get started! I am going to start with my 7mm Rem Mag. All brass has been previously fired in my rifle, about 100 rounds worth, and all brass is Federal.

I have heard that only neck sizing previously fired brass will improve accuracy as well as feeding into the chamber.

I have also heard that full length resizing over time will limit the life of your brass because you are working/shaping it more.

I am leaning more to neck sizing, but would appreciate some feedback from some experienced reloaders.

Thanks!!
 
As far as your poll goes, I do both, as appropriate. You certainly could neck size your brass, as long as the fired cases freely enter the chamber. Another option for belted magnums is to forget the belt, and size the case as if were rimless and headspaces on the shoulder. Magnum chambers are often generous, and traditional full length sizing will really work the brass. FL size, using the belt for headspace, can result in short case life.
 
To neck size or not depends, if hunting rounds i would full length size, neck sizing doesn't really improve feeding, if your using a semi or a pump I would definately full length size.

For accuracy neck sizing is supposed to improve accuracy, the idea being that the brass fits your chamber tighter so the bullet is better centered with the barrel.

To be sure try loading up 10 neck sized, 10 full length sized and shoot groups to see which is the best group, that will answer your accuracy question.

If you do neck size be sure to check that the shells do fit into your gun when you are done, I have gone to the range with a box of shells neck sized (all originally shot in my gun) only to find out that I could not close the bolt on a single one of them. Don't let that discourage you, I have loaded for many other guns with neck sizing only and no problems, just a heads up to check before you get to the range.
 
In order to neck resize you will need a neck resizing die. If you're just using a full length resizing die that has been turned out of the press a small amount, you're not neck resizing, you're partially resizing. With partial resizing, the neck and the the case wall are resized but the shoulder is not touched.

On most of my loading and when the brass is to be used in the same rifle, I partially resize. I find I get an increase in case life and I don't have to trim as often.

For the ammo I take hunting or if the ammo is to be used in a different rifle of the same caliber, I full-length resize.
 
I use the full lenght Redding type S resizing dies with the competition shell holder set.

This allowed me to bump the shoulder .002"(for bolt action, .004" for semi), which will not over work my brass and keep a high level of accuracy.

The type S dies allows me to apply the amount of pressure n the neck, necessary for accuracy.

The only way I would consider neck sizing only, would be in the use of a bench rest rifle in a bench rest caliber.

By the way, the Gallager familly(Think I got the name right) which are top shooter in highpower competition, use that technique.
 
Blowing the upper half off a flea's left testicle isn't high on my list of priorities, however a Lee collet die will neck size your brass and provide great accuracy and no lube required. Cheap too!
 
I generally neck size for my bolt guns and full length for my one lever gun.As stated above ,sometimes chambering can get tough with neck sized only and when I experience this I will run them through the F/L die and bump the shoulders back a notch.Again,as stated above,its not a bad idea to chamber a case(empty)after neck sizing to make sure.
I would also like to know why it isnt a great idea to neck size magnums???
I have been doing it without any great problems.
 
I used to have a Husky 8000 in 7MM Rem. Mag which I reloaded for about 30 years ago. Like a foolish beginner I full length resized and case life was 3 loadings with Rem. brass and maybe 4 or 5 with Federal. Found out that the chamber was reamed over size and the full length resizing worked the brass way too much. Had a gunsmith screw the barrel in and it helped. Since then it went down the road. My current .338 Win Mag is a joy to reload. I use partial resizing as I use it only for hunting and I want the cartridges to chamber with ease. Found out that only neck sizing for any hunting cartridge does allow for easy cartridge feeding into the chamber. I don't think there is a general rule you can use about full length resize vs neck resize. Different manufacturers have chamber variations and you have to do what you have to do.
 
just out of curiosity, I have read and heard often that full-length sizing is required or recommended for hunting.

I am curious as to why hunting with a bolt-gun vs plinking reloaded ammo with a bolt-gun would be any different, particularily if the rounds are crimped to avoid bullet movement during handling... :confused:

I have also read (in the Lee bible of course) that f/l sizing is required for semi-autos. Is it strictly a chambering issue, or is there more to this?
 
My rifles are all set up for hunting so I full length resize all of my reloads. I don't shoot as much as I would like to so I don't mind if my brass life is reduced. I strive for the same consistency with my practice loads as my hunting rounds.

:D
 
Proutfoo said:
just out of curiosity, I have read and heard often that full-length sizing is required or recommended for hunting.

I am curious as to why hunting with a bolt-gun vs plinking reloaded ammo with a bolt-gun would be any different, particularily if the rounds are crimped to avoid bullet movement during handling... :confused:
Click to expand...

When you only neck sizing your loads you will eventually reach a point where you are not able to chamber your rounds. This is due to expansion of the brass (body, shoulder and neck) say over 5-10 reloading sessions using neck sizing.

There is no big deal not being able to chamber a round at the bench. However, if you are not able to chamber a round during hunting this could lead to missing a trophy or injury/fatality when hunting dangerous games. Because of this reason, some folks recommend FL your rounds for hunting regardless.

You can get around this by checking your hunting rounds for chambering before the hunt. I neck size by load for all bolt guns and FL for every five reloads.

If you only neck size your rounds, you should also anneal your brass say every 8–10 rounds to restore the softness of the brass at the neck. If you don’t anneal, the neck will get brittle and split eventually. You should also check for signs of splitting at the base and the other parts periodically. Some of my rounds have been reloaded over 20 times and still going.

Play safe and have fun.

Danny
 
Partial resize is usually best for me - use a FL sizer. Screw it in until it just touches the shell holder, and back off 3/4 turn. This doesn't work the brass as much, and basically offers most the advantages offered by both the FL and neck sizing methods.

This is particularly useful in my Hornet, as the brass only lasts a few firings otherwise, and the chamber is quite generous. Accuracy is better, and case capacity is increased by ~.2 grains (around a 2% gain)
 
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