TomL, your issue isn't uncommon.
Depending on the chamber in your rifle, a bit of runout isn't going to make much difference.
In some bench rest venues, necks are turned quite thin for uniformity. Neck tension isn't an issue because the bullets are seated out far enough to engage the leade and are slightly pushed back into the neck when the bolt is closed.
The dies used to reload these cartridges are usually "Wilson," and have interchangeable neck bushings to match the diameter of the case neck/chamber, with .002in clearance all around.
It's impossible to do that with a SAAMI spec hunting rifle chamber, other than the odd 'Unicorn." Some of them are right on maximum tolerances, and just barely acceptable, but still safe. Neck sizing only or partial neck sizing is about the only way to overcome this issue.
There is a way to duplicate the match process of reloading. It's not nearly as accurate, but it works well.
When you size your cases, don't full length resize, or full neck resize. Partially neck resize. This will not change your case body dimensions, as the case will be fire formed to your specific chamber. The slightly fireformed neck portion will also help keep everything centered.
After sizing the neck, drop the mandrel/ram just enough so you can get a hold of the bottom of the case with your finger/thumb, without pulling the expander ball into the base of the neck, then turn the case appx 90 degrees, and size the neck again, before lowering it enough to allow the expander ball to do its job.
Unless there is something seriously wrong with your dies or press, this method will produce very true to the center of axis cartridges.
One of the main reasons match shooters try to stay away from usual presses is to eliminate the excessive tolerances and very slight misalignments. They use an "Arbor" style press to do this.
Shell head holders are notoriously "sloppy," and when the expander ball is withdrawn through the neck, the case can be off center, which will lead to excessive runout.
Shell head holder that are to tight will also give runout issues.
Depending on the chamber in your rifle, a bit of runout isn't going to make much difference.
In some bench rest venues, necks are turned quite thin for uniformity. Neck tension isn't an issue because the bullets are seated out far enough to engage the leade and are slightly pushed back into the neck when the bolt is closed.
The dies used to reload these cartridges are usually "Wilson," and have interchangeable neck bushings to match the diameter of the case neck/chamber, with .002in clearance all around.
It's impossible to do that with a SAAMI spec hunting rifle chamber, other than the odd 'Unicorn." Some of them are right on maximum tolerances, and just barely acceptable, but still safe. Neck sizing only or partial neck sizing is about the only way to overcome this issue.
There is a way to duplicate the match process of reloading. It's not nearly as accurate, but it works well.
When you size your cases, don't full length resize, or full neck resize. Partially neck resize. This will not change your case body dimensions, as the case will be fire formed to your specific chamber. The slightly fireformed neck portion will also help keep everything centered.
After sizing the neck, drop the mandrel/ram just enough so you can get a hold of the bottom of the case with your finger/thumb, without pulling the expander ball into the base of the neck, then turn the case appx 90 degrees, and size the neck again, before lowering it enough to allow the expander ball to do its job.
Unless there is something seriously wrong with your dies or press, this method will produce very true to the center of axis cartridges.
One of the main reasons match shooters try to stay away from usual presses is to eliminate the excessive tolerances and very slight misalignments. They use an "Arbor" style press to do this.
Shell head holders are notoriously "sloppy," and when the expander ball is withdrawn through the neck, the case can be off center, which will lead to excessive runout.
Shell head holder that are to tight will also give runout issues.
