Neck sizing die question

[chola]

I have never neck sized only...but I have acquired a 3 pce die set with a neck sizing die...do I set this up just the same way as I set my FL die up...I usually set it so that it just touches the shellholder,and then give a 1/4 more of a turn turn and lock it into place.........

 

[hgeo33]

I have a couple sets of die's from different companies and they have different set ups.

You need to find the instructions for that particular die or call/email the company that made the die and see what they recommend

 

[chola]

they are RCBS dies....i'll keep searching the net and see if I can come up with something in meantime

 

[RePete]

From my RCBS dies set up instructions.

'Screw the die into the press until it touches the shell holder (ram at top of stroke). Be sure allplay is removed from the press leverage system. To do this, adjust the die as above, lower the shell holder and set the die 1/8 to 1/4 turn further down so the press cams over center. Set the large lock ring.'

Done.

RePete.

 

[chola]

Thanks Repete...exactly the way I set it up...but didn't size anything yet,just wanted to be sure

 

[bisonhd]

The hornady neck die I have (7-08 ) will push back(crush) the shoulder if set up to touch the shell holder. I backed it right out and turned it in gradually until about 1/2 of the neck was resized.

 

[chola]

i sent an e-mail to RCBS last night...got a reply this morning describing the "set-up" exactly as Repete said :wink: ...gotta love service like that from a big company,and help from guys like Repete

 

[joe-nwt]

Paint the neck/shoulder with a jiffy marker. Screw the die down until you get as much neck resized as you want, checking the marker as you go.

 

[bigbull]

Paint the neck/shoulder with a jiffy marker. Screw the die down until you get as much neck resized as you want, checking the marker as you go.

The Neck Sizing dies are not designed to touch the shoulder hence putting a marker to the shoulder will never show contact. As others have stated just screw down to touch the shellholder and your done you don't need that extra 1/4 turn to do a good job, I sometimes unscrew the die to lessen the neck sizing since this will increase your concentricity between bullet and bore if the brass was originally fired in the same gun. This leaves a small unsized portion that will help center the bullet in the chamber.
bigbull

 

[joe-nwt]

The hornady neck die I have (7-08 ) will push back(crush) the shoulder if set up to touch the shell holder. I backed it right out and turned it in gradually until about 1/2 of the neck was resized.

Sorry. This was the die I was refering to. I have a 30cal short neck sizer that I use for all kinds of 30cal, up to and including 300WM. I got into the habit of painting the shoulder because it is possible to contact the shoulder when you set the die too close.

Cartridge specifiic dies should be set up touching the shellholder as stated, but I sure like bigbull's reasoning for backing it out slightly. Thanks for the tip. 8)

 

[bigbull]

Sorry. This was the die I was refering to. I have a 30cal short neck sizer that I use for all kinds of 30cal, up to and including 300WM. I got into the habit of painting the shoulder because it is possible to contact the shoulder when you set the die too close.

Cartridge specifiic dies should be set up touching the shellholder as stated, but I sure like bigbull's reasoning for backing it out slightly. Thanks for the tip. 8)

Good Point joe about cartridge specific dies, It should be mentioned that non cartridge specific neck sizers are available from companies like Hornady and these do require a different setup. Caution is advised when setting up or you can crush the case. Thanks for the clarification joe.
bigbull