Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Thoughts on neck sizing only

I did a search and didnt find anything <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

I just picked up a new Tikka T3 lite stainless 22-250. My buddy tells me to get the dies for neck sizing only. I have never reloaded with just neck sized dies. I see the dies are available for this. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> He tells me the brass will last a lot longer and work just fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

What problems might I encounter doing this? seems to me the body of the case would look like my fat brother after a while <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />


Thanks in advance for the thoughts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I "neck size" almost exclusively. The only problem I have seen is that the casing is custom fit for that chamber. Meaning, it often will not work in another rifle. Sometimes it works, but generally not.

The brass will not get fatter. When fired the cartridge forms to the chamber then shrinks a thousandths of an inch or so when the pressure drops. That�s why it extracts so easily (feel an argument coming here).

So . . .

How close to the shoulder do you get when you neck size only. I started at 0.100 inch and the case would barely chamber. Then I snugged it down to 0.050 inch from the shoulder, and the round would chamber "hard."

Then I just full lenght sized, and I got great accuracy.

Just curious,

BMT

I have gotten better results with partial-sizing, using a full-length die. I place 1-2 washers between the die and press (depending on neck length of the case) and size normally. This generally keeps the neck in better alignment with the case body, and you don't have to buy a special neck die.

MD

I know many including myself that compete(1 is in the BR HOF) all all full length resize. We do it right but we still full length resize. Go to a match and watch what the big boys are doing that put the shots into little bitty groups.

I neck size only at least the first two loadings with a Lee collet neck sizing die-which by the way was developed by cpmetition shooter for getting those tiny little groups mentioned. And my Tikka 30-06 shoots Sub MOA that way. Its a no-brainer die with which you can feel exactly how much pressure it takes to size correctly. I rotate the brass 180 degrees to get perfect sizing and thats it. I have the locking ring pre-set for OAL and BAM! it done. I was of the impression that custom fire-formed ammo was always best for a given gun. But hey, if thats wrong I will be happy to learn something new so bring it on.

I neck resize when using the same rifle. Not sure about accuracy but it appears to save steps in triming. Rounds appear to chamber better until brass gets some age on it

The only gun I full length size for is my lever action 45-70.
I have never FL sized for any of my other rifles(all bolt guns) and have used Lee and Redding dies. I much prefer the Lee collet dies.

My son did his eighth grade science project (ok, I did the shooting, but he wrote the report) on the consistancy of velocities between rounds loaded with fire-formed, neck sized brass vs full length sized brass in my 22-250. The neck sized brass turned in not only more consistent velocities, but also a little bit faster velocity than did the full length sized rounds.
He got an "A".

If the round are going in and out of the same chamber, and it is in proper spec, you should never have a problem

Like MD, of course, I partial resize on a full length die. However when I think about all the time I've spent adjusting instead of using a dang washer.......

Redding sells a neat little shellholder kit (there are also other on the market that do the same thing) that adjust your size dies + or - .002 for you guys who partial size for chambers. The kit is relatively inexpensive, and sure helps to keep thing organized on the bench and shelves.

I never could tell difference in accuracy between partial and neck sizing. Velocity variation for me, seemed to depend more on powders, temperature, my shooting, etc. as when repeating test to determine "truth", it might go the other way the next time, this on partial sizeing versus neck sizing.

Been playing with the Lee collet die in .223 for two years when getting time. At this point there seems to be some improvement, though very slight if so. I want to check this one out some more before making up my mind.