Neck sizing vs full length sizing

[Boomer]

It is my opinion that a hunting rifle must feed reliably, thus all of the ammunition I load for use in hunting rifles is full length resized. The other problem I have here is that I load for other people from time to time, and full length resizing is the only way to ensure feeding between a number of rifles, given that I prep all my brass in advance of loading for any specific application.

Neck sizing for my target guns ensures maximum brass life, but unless the shoulder is bumped back a little each time it doesn't take many reloads before chambering gets tight. Marking the shoulder of the case with a black marker then running it through a body die provides a good visual index for how much the shoulder is set back when you are setting up the die.

 

[Onagoth]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys, I think i will still to full length resizing since I use most of my ammo in a hunting application and sometimes reload for my brothers rifle.

Cheers,

 

[srt4u2nv]

full length we reload for 3 different rifles in .22-250 and all shoot great with full length sizing.

 

[762shooter]

Full length size new or salvaged brass as well as ammo for semi-autos.

For bolt guns full length sizing will work the brass more than necessary, especially pushing the shoulder back with every reload. Partial neck resizing still squeezes the case body and in effect, pushes the shoulder farther forward which is why partial sized cases get tighter in the chamber. Neck sizing with a neck sizing die is a good thing because it produces the least working of the brass and keeps the case as close a fit to the chamber as possible but obviously for only one firearm. Neck sizing dies aren't that common and can only neck size.

I full length resize with standard dies for bolt actions, but just barely. I smoke the shoulder, set the die about .020" above the shell holder (with the ram up), remove the deprimer/sizer ball, raise the ram on to a lubed case, then drop the ram. Now I check the smoked shoulder to see where the die came to, adjust the die down a bit and repeat until the die is just barely touching the smoked shoulder. Then I lock the die in the press, drop the ram and check the case in the rifle. If bolt closes with just a touch more resistance than full length sized I'm good to go, re-install the deprimer/neck sizer and size the entire batch of brass including the test case that still has a spent primer in it.

 

[B]

So here is my concern, I have about 300 pcs of 1F brass I only neck sized. Am I likely to encounter any problems with it in an M14s? I don't want to damage anything, at the same time I don't want to process all that brass again...

 

[CyaN1de]

So here is my concern, I have about 300 pcs of 1F brass I only neck sized. Am I likely to encounter any problems with it in an M14s? I don't want to damage anything, at the same time I don't want to process all that brass again...

With the M14 you are best off to FL Resize. At very worst, the 1F Neck Sized may not chamber properly.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I neck size unless it's for a semi-auto, then I full length size.

 

[wobbles99]

So here is my concern, I have about 300 pcs of 1F brass I only neck sized. Am I likely to encounter any problems with it in an M14s? I don't want to damage anything, at the same time I don't want to process all that brass again...

Theres varied opinions on the subject here, many say that your #### will fall off if you don't full length for autoloaders, others say it's ok.

I'm with the seond group.

Your probably not going to to have issues with neck sizing your brass shot from your m14s.

I've run over a thousand rounds in mine neck sized only with no ill affects.

I know of one mod who does as well and probably has shot more rounds through m14s than I will. He's got all his fingers and both eyes so it must be ok.

With the M14s the chambers are generally 7 to 9 thousands of an inch over 308 spec so full length will definately reduce the case life more than your standard chamber. Be aware of warning signs for case head separations and monitor your brass accordingly if full length sizing.

Neck sizing allows for this over spec in the case so it helps case life.

If you want to be extra safe you can full length your brass and not worry about it.

 

[Leeper]

Keep in mind, full length sizing does not require that you set the should back at all. Ideally, the sized case should yield zero to .001" headspace.
As long as the shoulder is not set back, full length sizing will NOT cause case head separations. If the case is over worked during the sizing/firing cycle, it will fail due to a lengthwise split in the body.
If one sets up his full length die by screwing it in until it touches the shellholder then giving it a bit more to take the spring out of the press, he is doing it wrong and is likely to create a headspace condition with the resultant case head separations. Regards, Bill

 

[Andy]

You need a third choice: "Partial Full Length Sizing". Run the F/L die down so 3/4 of the neck is sized and body just kissed. Saves buying a set of Neck Dies

 

[wobbles99]

Keep in mind, full length sizing does not require that you set the should back at all. Ideally, the sized case should yield zero to .001" headspace.
As long as the shoulder is not set back, full length sizing will NOT cause case head separations. If the case is over worked during the sizing/firing cycle, it will fail due to a lengthwise split in the body.
If one sets up his full length die by screwing it in until it touches the shellholder then giving it a bit more to take the spring out of the press, he is doing it wrong and is likely to create a headspace condition with the resultant case head separations. Regards, Bill

True. You can set your die so that you do not set back the shoulder at all and this is a great way to size your brass . Probably the best way when you have a sloppy chamber dimensions as in the m14s.

What I was refering to was setting up your full length die as instructed in most die sets which will push back the shoulder. Especially when you are adding the extra stretch from said chamber is going to wear your brass much faster.

I still prefer to neck size. The ammo is more accurate and functions well.

 

[Riflechair]

Neck sizing increases case life.
Especially if you have a very generous chamber (lee enfields for example). If you full length sized for your .303 Brit you would likely have a case head seperation on the 3rd or 4th firing. This has been known to happen in lee enfields while using virgin brass. Thus I always carry a case extractor in my shooting bag when the SMLE and I head out to the range.

Its something to keep in mind if you reload for milsurps. Modern state of the art rifles don't really need neck sizing these days - well, not as much as the old milsurps. Still, I am a big believer in neck sizing.

Mysticplayer neck sizes for his M14S while others do not. Having said that he also uses the hardened military primers to lower the risk of slam fires. He feels the safety risk of neck sizing for a M14S is minimal. If you're not sure just go with full length sizing. Especially if you have more than one rifle shooting from the same stock pile of reloaded ammo.