Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Neck sizing, partial sizing

I have been looking through several sources, trying ti find out about this subject but haven�t been able to get the information I need (to my satisfaction). So can anyone tell me exactly the difference between neck sizing and partial sizing and how (exactly) to adjust the sizing die (full length die, I don�t have a neck sizing die) in each case?
Many thanks,
Kakali

Neck sizing only sizes the neck -- the die is cut loose so it doesn't touch the body.

"Partial" full length sizing is a bit of a misnomer. All it means is using a full-length sizing die but adjusting it so it doesn't push back the shoulder. So, it will size the neck, and usually the body just a bit. It'll squeeze in the parts that bulge most; which those are will depend on your cartridge and your chamber dimensions. For instance, in my .270 it hits the outside edge of the shoulder most, but in my .375 H&H it mostly touches the middle parts of the body.

The reason it's a misnomer is that it's exactly how some manufacturers (e.g. Redding) tell you to adjust your full-length dies. So it's not quite the deep secret that some portray.

John