I received the Lee 50th anniversary kit for Christmas from my fiance, I have been reading the Sierra reloading book that I picked up at a boxing day sale. I Will be reloading for my .338 Win mag and it says to neck size if they are going to be used in the same gun, but then it says to full-length resize if it's going to be used for hunting (which it will be). Is it best to just full length resize all of the time or can I get away with neck sizing, I want to produce the most accurate ammo I can.
New to reloading
- Thread starter alpha sniper
- Start date
I would start with full length sizing to learn reloading. It will make very accurate ammo and let you figure out how everything works and you'll know where to look if/when it doesnt.
Later you may find some rifles can be neck sized for and it may shoot better or make brass last longer but I wouldn't start out here if you have a press and regular dies.
Later you may find some rifles can be neck sized for and it may shoot better or make brass last longer but I wouldn't start out here if you have a press and regular dies.
A belted cartridge tends to have chambers with the shoulder well forward of the cartridge. In firing the shoulder of the case blows forward. If you FL size, the shoulder gets pushed back. Better to neck size only and be careful to not touch the shoulder.
For hunting it is imperative that all rounds chamber fairly easily, although with a bolt rifle, a little compression on closing the bolt is ok.
I would neck size my hunting ammo and then carefully cycle all rounds through the mag and close the bolt on each one, just to make sure they fit ok. Any that are too tight can be put aside for practice.
Chamber all rounds of hunting ammo is a good idea with any rifle or any ammo, just to be sure it is ok.
For hunting it is imperative that all rounds chamber fairly easily, although with a bolt rifle, a little compression on closing the bolt is ok.
I would neck size my hunting ammo and then carefully cycle all rounds through the mag and close the bolt on each one, just to make sure they fit ok. Any that are too tight can be put aside for practice.
Chamber all rounds of hunting ammo is a good idea with any rifle or any ammo, just to be sure it is ok.
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
Easy way I figure it out, neck size a once fired round and mark a line on it, insert it into the chamber and close the bolt, remove it and turn it 90* and so on... If it slides in and out and the bolt closes easily then I recheck it after the second or third reloading.
But you can FL your brass to start with, you will probably notice better groups with FL sized handloads over factory stuff anyway, neck sizing is just takeing things one step further.
But you can FL your brass to start with, you will probably notice better groups with FL sized handloads over factory stuff anyway, neck sizing is just takeing things one step further.
Neck sizing works your brass less than full length sizing so it should last for more reloads. When you neck size try cycling a few in the chamber to make sure they fit before loading.
After so many reloads ( 1 to who knows ) brass will need to be full length sized.
When its time, you can again work the brass less with the full die by just bumping the shoulder enough to chamber the brass.
Doing this also tends to cut down on the need to trim the brass as often than always full length sizing.
As Ganderite said, test cycle your loaded hunting rounds.
After so many reloads ( 1 to who knows ) brass will need to be full length sized.
When its time, you can again work the brass less with the full die by just bumping the shoulder enough to chamber the brass.
Doing this also tends to cut down on the need to trim the brass as often than always full length sizing.
As Ganderite said, test cycle your loaded hunting rounds.
Remove the firing pin? No, but as a matter of habit, make sure rifle is aimed at something you can shoot, like the foundation wall, and if the rifle has a safety that allows the bolt to be manipulated (like a Mauser) use it.
That said, I once accidently fired the rifle while performing this cycle test. I had a brain fart. I closed the bolt (it chambered just fine) and then pulled the trigger. Again, it worked just fine. No harm done, rifle was aimed in a safe direction.
However, I have learned my lesson. I now only cycle test when wife is not home.....
That said, I once accidently fired the rifle while performing this cycle test. I had a brain fart. I closed the bolt (it chambered just fine) and then pulled the trigger. Again, it worked just fine. No harm done, rifle was aimed in a safe direction.
However, I have learned my lesson. I now only cycle test when wife is not home.....
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
yes, there are many things that I prefer to do when the other half is out of "range".
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