question about neck sizing only

I have had match shooters say that neck sizing is only to prolong case life, and full length or neck size is no difference with good sets of dies like redding.
 
Just a thought, I like to have handloads as straight as possible, so I use a runout gauge on the brass. A fired casing will show almost zero runout, neck size only and the runout increases, can go to .005 or greater . I have found using a full length resizing die is a better option. I back off the die so you are only resizing part of the neck. This has shown runout of only .002 max. Works for me.
Bill
 
I've been using a Lee collet neck-sizer on my 22-250 brass and don't plan on full length sizing unless I have to. No need to trim after 4 firings and zero signs of case wear. I can put the exact tension that I want on the bullet. To avoid runout, I turn the case 1/4 turn and resize the neck again.
 
It all depends on your chamber. If you have a tight, true to bore chamber, just slightly resize the case taper and shoulder.

If I have a rifle with a large chamber and it shows decent potential, I will only partially size the neck. Usulally one calibre.

The reason for this, is if your dies aren't dead true, many aren't, the bit of neck that isn't sized down, will center itself in the throat area and the bullet to the bore.

Another CAVEAT, If you neck resize only, it is more than likely that those cartridges won't fit the chamber of other rifles of the same cartridge designation.
 
b72471 said:
Just a thought, I like to have handloads as straight as possible, so I use a runout gauge on the brass. A fired casing will show almost zero runout, neck size only and the runout increases, can go to .005 or greater . I have found using a full length resizing die is a better option. I back off the die so you are only resizing part of the neck. This has shown runout of only .002 max. Works for me.
Bill
Click to expand...
whats a run out guage? and what is run out?
 
I notice a huge difference by neck sizing only in terms of brass life. I would be safe to say the life is doubled on my 300 wsm. If your using a bolt action you would be stupid not to, it conforms to your gun once fired and wont work in someone elses either most times. I accidently got one of my brothers .22-250 cases in my stash and it jammed up my gun. When you neck size only it will start to get tighter and tighter to chamber a round till you have to do a full length resizing, you need a bolt action to push or pull the brass out when they get a little tight, lever or pump will be alot tougher.
 
I use the Lee Collett dies in a number of calibers... I like it best for my K-Hornets... If you use the ammo in multiple guns, then neck sizing may or may not work for you, depends on how different the chambers are... Three of my KH's can use the same neck sized ammo, one can't... So I just keep the brass for that gun separate. Neck sizing with Lee collett dies will prolong brass life for sure... As far as accuracy goes... It makes sense that the less case flow you have in the chanber, the more consistent the energy will be imparted to the bullet, but good luck proving that with imperical data.
 
whats a run out guage? and what is run out?

A Run out gauge or Concentricity gauge measures how ( here's where the wording gets tricky!) out of round or true to 0 the loaded round is.I have proven my accuracy with 1-2 thousands(out of round or away from true 0) bullets, compared to 4-5 th out of round loaded rounds. Rem .223 69gr SMK bullets, shot thru a Savage LRPV, anywhere from 1/4-1/2" diff in accuracy. Hornady sells a Concent' gauge that will correct or make true any loaded round.(Factory or reload) Also, RCBC sells a multi purpose Concent' gauge that does a few other things too.(chks neck thickness & chks for cracked cases inside brass). It has definitely improved accuracy for me!(6.5x55 S as well) SgtRock.
 
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