Re: Reload first?
I take that a small step further and only partially neck size with backed off F/L die. The shorter sizing makes for less neck tension, and the still-expanded portion of the neck should center the case neck in the chamber better.
You can go yet another small step and experiment with the length of the case neck that gets sized; as a potential means of keeping up with neek hardening and maybe managing neck tension as an accuracy tool.
My measurement is based on starting witn too short a length (which allows a seated bullet to be finger turned in the neck), then inceasing the length to an arbitrary length (like maybe where the bullet resists being finger turned)
You can't really establish a numeric neck tension value, but you can establish a test which allows it to remain measurably constant as brass continues to harden.
I believe that any method which establishes consistency in a critical area (like neck tension) contributes to consistent accuracy; and that's a plus.
Neck tension is a hard thing to actually manage with any real meaning, but I think this method makes a good effort in a good direction.
Neck tension is maybe the most important issue I consider when handloading my ammo. The other stuff can be measured, locked in, and maintained verifiably, but neck brass work hardening makes consistent and beneficial neck tension a moving target.
I don't like hot loads, they contribute to brass length growth, which interferes with my technique.
I have to reset the dies so they can bump the shoulder, then go back to the partial sizing process. But when I bump, the partial sizing can't be maintained for that loading cycle. Hot loads also drive brass life expiration by accelerating the process of overexpanding the primer paockets. And lastly, hot loads murder good barrels.
Sometimes you can pull a Houdini, like by using a .308 F/L die as a .260 or 7-08 bump die. Same-same with .30-'06 and .280, but you gotta be more careful with that one as they have different shoulder lengths..
Greg