Neck Sizer

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I set up the neck sizing die in my Rock Chucker and sized 2, 7-08 caseings.
I noticed at the top of the bottle neck there is a line where the die has stopped and that the bottle neck is not as long as the once fired case.
My concern is the line at the top of the bottle neck it seems like it may be a weak point for breakage. Should I back the die off a bit and try it again. I have never used a neck sizing die and I'm a little unsure. I thought it just sized above the bottle neck for proper bullet seating.

Any info would be great.

FullDraw
 
Last edited:
from Sierra reloading software:

Adjustment of the full length die calls for the die body to be screwed down in the press until it contacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke. If the ammunition is to be reused in the same gun the cases were originally fired in, back the die off 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and size a lightly lubricated case. Wipe the case dry, and chamber it in the gun. If any resistance is felt, lower the die body another 1/8 of a turn (or less), and repeat the process with another fired case. This is repeated until the action will just close without resistance. When this has been accomplished, set the lock ring to secure the die in place. This method will ensure that the fired cases are resized with a mini- mum amount of headspace. This case has now been “custom fitted” to that particular chamber. This will normally provide the best case life and accuracy, but does require that the ammunition only be used in the gun in which it was originally fired. If the ammunition is to be used in a different gun of the same chambering, of course!, the siz- ing die should be adjusted down until it just con- tacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke. This results in a slightly greater amount of head- space, but will allow the ammunition to be used in several different guns. Whichever adjustment style is used, full length sizing is generally the best siz- ing method for most shooting situations
 
A neck sizing die is a different animal than a F/L resizer. I have a Lee collet die. Instructions say to screw it down until it touches the ram and then go one turn further. There should be approx. 25 lbs. pressure when reaching the bottom of the stroke. I would say that if you follow the instructions and still have the neck sized down to the shoulder then so-be-it. I checked my 303 British brass before writing and it is sizing down close to the shoulder/neck junction as well...but who knows how far forward the neck is pushed when fire forming in the rifle you are using. A neck sizer precisely sizes neck only. Backing off a F/L sizer almost accomplishes what a Neck sizer does but not quite in my opinion. Neck sizer is the way to go.
 
I compared the neck sized case to the the spec's in the Speer manual. The top of the bottle neck after being sized is right on the money so I have it set proper. I'm going to back it off a bit and try it again to see if I can cut down on the line mark above the bottle neck, I will chamber after and see if it's ok.

Thanks.....FullDraw
 
Before I switched to Redding bushing neck dies, I used to mark the neck of a case with a felt marker or soot from a candle when setting up the die for the first time. Then I ran it into the sizer and saw how much soot/ink got disturbed. As a rule of thumb, I wanted to resize at least as far down the neck as the caliber of the bullet. With a bolt gun, this works great since a small part of the neck immediately above the shoulder doesn't get sized. This little ring fits the chamber precisely and helps align the round. You may run into problems with other types of actions that don't have as much leverage to close on a round.

Failing that, you can just set up your FL sizer to bump the shoulder by a couple thou. This is done by trial and error, as described in another post above in the excerpt from a loading manual, or you can buy a Stoney Point headspace gauge or RCBS Precision Mic. Both of these tell you exactly how much you are bumping the shoulder. This effectively gives you neck sizing with some minimal body sizing. You may even find you get more concentric ammo using this technique than the neck die.
 
Neck sizer

I'm using a Hornady neck sizer. I backed it off and played with it for a bit and got it set up proper know things are good to go. I do have a RCBS percision mic set that I'm playing with as well.

FullDraw
 
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