Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Neck Sizing 30-o6 loads with a FL sizing die?

I wanted to see if I could eliminate the hassle of lubing cases by neck sizing and the cost of a buying a neck sizing die if possible. Tried this by using a washer I had, not quite a 1/10th of an iinch thick, that fit perfect around my FL die. Tightened the washer between the FL die lock ring and the top of the press. Left the lock ring at the same setting I use to FL size. Seemed to work, the washer raised the FL die enough to where only the necks were resized. The bullets seated securely with no problem and accuracy stayed at least as good as with FL sizing.. I didn't expect improved accuracy as this was for an 03A3 and i figured the neck sizing wouldn't make much difference on a military chamber. Almost too easy. Anyone know of any reason not to do it this way?

It's been done many times before.

Bear in mind, before long the shoulders will need to be set back.

What he said ^^^

I used to use a .308 Win FL die to neck size .30-06. Been a long time, seems I remember using just a tiny bit of lube inside/outside of neck.

Been neck sizing for 50+ years with neck sizing dies using everything from 22-250's up through 30-378 Weatherby's. I've never had to push necks back, but all of my ammo is rifle specific. Seems that if a cartridges comes out of a chamber, it always goes back in after reloading.

I think everyone did that a time or two

George Nonte would have been proud of you.😁

Actually I've done the exact same thing, bought my first .30-06, had a .308 die set, an -06 seater that I had acquired years before and some range pick up PMC brass. Couldn't wait to try it out so I neck sized with the .308 and headed to the range. The well-used Ruger shot well enough to justify the investment so I ordered proper dies. Life was good.

IIRC I loaded them 3 times before I had to do the PFL size.

I use die shims under FL dies.

For the 1st couple firings I'm basically neck sizing then as the brass isn't fully formed yet. I adjust my sizing to get a slight shoulder bump by removing shims.

Die shims also help when loading for multiple rifles in the same caliber. Saves a lot of adjusting. I also use Redding dry Neck lube when only sizing necks and when using expander mandrels:

https://www.redding-reloading.com/online-catalog/162-imperial-dry-neck-lube-convenience-pak

The problem that you will encounter with using a FL die this way is over sizing the neck and distorting it with a ball expander on the decapper rod.

Forster hones thier necks to the desired tension you want but at that cost buy a Lee collet neck die. Do you know a machinist? Have him cut the neck to what the ball expander does, .002 neck tension or even .001.

Lots of diddle dicking around just to avoid lubing cases.

I guess I can see the sense in it with new brass in order to true up the necks or whatever. Most of the time I neck brass up a caliber or two then run it through a FL die to get a snug first firing.

You need to ask yourself if you shoot enough 30-06 that it is really that inconvenient to full length resize and clean your cases when you’re done…

The OP doesn't want to lube cases I think is the only reason.

Exactly

You're right. I realize I'll probably have to lube cases and FL size after three or four reloads but in the meantime, IMO. neck sizing is less hassle and it works.

And eventually you’ll have to FL size or FL bumping shoulder back if you choose to increase case life

I suggest this one for neck sizing:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011198814?pid=329661

This

Mathman beat me to it, again.