I am a relative newcomer to reloading (.222). I read an article that "close to/effective" neck sizing can be achieved with FL dies by backing off the shell holder about .060" from kissing contact with the base of the die. What's your input?
neck sizing with FL dies
- Thread starter kfn
- Start date
I am a relative newcomer to reloading (.222). I read an article that "close to/effective" neck sizing can be achieved with FL dies by backing off the shell holder about .060" from kissing contact with the base of the die. What's your input?
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Yes, 
you will see the amount sized by looking at the neck in good light, you want about 1/8 of an inch of neck sized to hold the bullet minimum.
Frank
you will see the amount sized by looking at the neck in good light, you want about 1/8 of an inch of neck sized to hold the bullet minimum.Frank
It is possible to do a "Partial Neck Sizing" with FL dies by turning out the dies a bit. If you want to do a full neck sizing get yourself a neck sizing die. Some calibers can be a problem to partially neck size like the WSM series and UM series. The case geometrie has alot to do with it.
bigbull
bigbull
Like bull says it's depends on the case. I don't reload for 222 and if I wasn't so lazy I'd dig out a case diagram ... basically if there is a fair bit of taper in the case it works real good but if it's pretty straight you end up still doing a lot of the body. I think that you may still be better off accuracy wise though because it will still use the unsized part of the neck to locate it in the chamber. You may find that you can back it off a fair bit.
This is an ok idea if you're punching paper but I wouldn't advise it a 375 H&H when you're going after things with teeth. You'll want them to chamber even if dirt gets in there with it!!
This is an ok idea if you're punching paper but I wouldn't advise it a 375 H&H when you're going after things with teeth. You'll want them to chamber even if dirt gets in there with it!!
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
I do back the die off for this caliber (375), to prevent problems at the base where the case may seperate when you reload it several times. Does anyone else follow this procedure?
Frank
Levi Garrett said:
For my 375 H&H I back the die out just so it headspaces on the little shoulder instead of the belt (both hit at the same time probably), the brass seems to last for a long time. But this still essentially full length sizes it IMO.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
The only reason NOT to neck size is if your rifle won't close on them. (As refered to by the dangerous game senario mentioned above)
You can usually alleviate that problem by turning the die down just a bit more, going to a partial resize. However, I have one rifle (BLR) that MUST be small base resized to rechamber.
When I set up for a neck size, I back the die way off, then move it down gradually watching the progress on the neck, untill I get it just above contact with the shoulder.
You can usually alleviate that problem by turning the die down just a bit more, going to a partial resize. However, I have one rifle (BLR) that MUST be small base resized to rechamber.
When I set up for a neck size, I back the die way off, then move it down gradually watching the progress on the neck, untill I get it just above contact with the shoulder.
My experience is you can not actually size only the neck in a FL die. You may be able to size part of the neck and part of the body depending on the dimensions of the fired case. Not all chambers are the same dimension and FL dies are made to size all brass down to fit all chambers.
As a fired case enters the FL die and the neck starts to be sized, the shoulder diameter and the body is also being sized.... and the farther the case enters the die, more of the body gets sized as well.
Often as the diameter at the shoulder is forced smaller and the neck is being sized smaller, the actual shoulder bulges almost microscopically forward as it has nothing to hold it in place. This is what causes a cartridge that has been "neck sized" in a FL die to be hard to close the bolt on. The shoulder bulge needs to be flattened by sizing a bit more without pushing it back and creating headspace.
Neck sizing is best accomplished with a neck sizing die and full length sized when hot or repeated loading requires it.
As a fired case enters the FL die and the neck starts to be sized, the shoulder diameter and the body is also being sized.... and the farther the case enters the die, more of the body gets sized as well.
Often as the diameter at the shoulder is forced smaller and the neck is being sized smaller, the actual shoulder bulges almost microscopically forward as it has nothing to hold it in place. This is what causes a cartridge that has been "neck sized" in a FL die to be hard to close the bolt on. The shoulder bulge needs to be flattened by sizing a bit more without pushing it back and creating headspace.
Neck sizing is best accomplished with a neck sizing die and full length sized when hot or repeated loading requires it.
