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Sizing

mercracing

Sergeant
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Feb 9, 2013
    1,930
    829
    Green Bay, WI
    I did a quick look through about the differences between FL sizing and neck sizing and couldn't really find what I was looking for. Do you want to use one for semi auto guns and one for bolt guns? Is one better for hunting rounds? Thanks for the help.


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    Full length sizing for all semi autos. With a bolt gun you can neck size if the brass is fired from your gun. There is currently a debate whether it is beneficial or not, depending on who you listen to. You will need to full length size or use a body die after a few firings. If you full length size for your hunting rifle, you should never have a chambering issue.
     
    Semi auto full length only and for 5.56/7.62 small base full length if possible or you will get real good on clearing hard malfunctions

    On bolt action I do a mix depending on gun
     
    I had some dies given to me. .243 is a gas gun and it's a neck sizing die set and .338WM is a bolt gun and I have FL dies. Would either of these work at all? So I need to get different sizing dies?


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    In my opinion, just fl size universally
     
    I should say that these are hunting guns first. I want it to be able to kill first and make small holes second. So it sounds like I can FL size everything and be good to go.
     
    Exactly. Have fun and read, read, read. Then apply your new found knowledge.

    I should say that these are hunting guns first. I want it to be able to kill first and make small holes second. So it sounds like I can FL size everything and be good to go.
     
    Well if you want your ammo to feed reliable, chamber, and extract, FL size every time, set your die up with a headspace gauge, bump the shoulder .001-.002 for bolt actions, and .003 for semiautos, or NS and you will have feed chambering and extraction issues.
     
    I started neck sizing only on my bolt 243 and rounds wouldnt chamber. I have to FL size.
     
    It depends. A safe answer might be, full length size everything, but then you have the people that don't do that right and then ask about head space problems. For most people that can read instructions, full length sizing is a very satisfactory solution.

    Then, we have another "absolute" statement about neck sizing. The fact of the matter is I use bushing dies in some very hot chamberings, many cycles and have never had a problem and my brass is in excellent shape. So, there is no pat answer to questions like this if the hand loader knows what he is doing. And, hopefully, that includes everyone? BB