Case sizing

[KeithStone]

Okay this is probably a dumb question but just want to get this straight in my mind. So I have a Redding type S complete die set as well as a Sinclair expander mandrel. This is what I have in my mind. I would want to FL size the case to bump the shoulder and make sure it chambers without running it up far enough to size the neck(is this even possible?) then I would want to use the neck sizer with appropriate bushing to size the neck then use my expander mandrel to push the imperfections to the outside of the case?

 

[FLIGHT762]

To do this the way you explained, you would use the F/L die without the bushing installed to get your shoulder bump. You then can N/O with the N/O die with the bushing installed. You can then use your expander mandrel.

It can be done, but my question is WTF do you want to do it that way? Is there some benefit ?

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

The full length sizer will size the neck when it bumps the shoulder, if you have a bushing in it. There's no way around it - think about where the shoulder of the brass would have to be in the die in order to get pushed back. Now where is the neck of the die if the shoulder is touching?

You can skip the neck sizer in this instance - just run the FL die and bushing, which will size body and neck, then run the mandrel to set final tension. In doing it this way, you can also pull the expander ball out of the FL sizer, and leave the neck sizing to just the bushing (squeeze it down from fired) and expander mandrel (open it up to final diameter to accept the bullet).

ETA: Forgot it's a F/L bushing die.

 

[sam1colt]

That’s just an unnecessary extra step if you have a type s bushing die. Bump the shoulder and size the neck then go back in with a mandrel.

 

[bghartm]

As mentioned above, pull the expander ball out of your FL sizer die and then hit it with the mandrel.

 

[bax]

Okay this is probably a dumb question but just want to get this straight in my mind. So I have a Redding type S complete die set as well as a Sinclair expander mandrel. This is what I have in my mind. I would want to FL size the case to bump the shoulder and make sure it chambers without running it up far enough to size the neck(is this even possible?) then I would want to use the neck sizer with appropriate bushing to size the neck then use my expander mandrel to push the imperfections to the outside of the case?

Two questions:
1. why NOT put the bushing in your type-S die? What do you hope to get out of that?
2. Why neck size in a separate step? What do you hope to get out of that?

I use a redding bushing die and a mandrel. I set up the die to set the shoulder roughly chamber length and reduce neck ID about .001 or .002 smaller than I want. Then I run the case over the mandrel. With 223, I do both steps in a Dillon 550. With 308 etc I do it in two steps.

 

[KeithStone]

Alright guys had a head up ass moment. Apologies I had in my mind positioning brass to be neck sized as well as f/l would result in not the entire neck being sized or more shoulder bump than I wanted.
Probably a good reason but why the hell does Redding sell a neck and fl die? Wether or not to use the bushing will dictate fl vs neck sizing? Anyhow thanks for the responses and sorry for the confusion

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

Probably a good reason but why the hell does Redding sell a neck and fl die?

Because some people like to neck size, and only full length size when they get clickers or tough extraction. For these people, they sell a convenient 3 die set.

The bushing has nothing to do with neck vs full length sizing. The bushing only sizes the neck. It can be added to either a FL die (that sizes the body, bumps the shoulder, and the neck via the bushing) or a neck die (only sizes neck, via bushing). Tracking?

 

[Rlandry]

On most of my dies, the expander ball holds the decapping pin. I ground down the expander balls on my dies so there is no contact with the case and use a mandrel for neck tension

 

[KeithStone]

Because some people like to neck size, and only full length size when they get clickers or tough extraction. For these people, they sell a convenient 3 die set.

The bushing has nothing to do with neck vs full length sizing. The bushing only sizes the neck. It can be added to either a FL die (that sizes the body, bumps the shoulder, and the neck via the bushing) or a neck die (only sizes neck, via bushing). Tracking?

Yeah I’m catching up now

 

[DaChank]

Don’t have Redding dies I use Forster but I just take the expander/decapping pin out and use the FL sizing die without it, then use an expander die/mandrel to set neck tension.

 

[Graye2]

Probably a good reason but why the hell does Redding sell a neck and fl die?

I started out with the 6.5 creedmoor 3 die set and the way I use them is I full length size with the body die...every time about 1 one thousands. Then I use the neck micrometer die to only size about ~50% of the neck with the bushing (by doing so the bottom half of the neck should marry up in the chamber and help to center and for what it’s worth Wilson bushings produce less runout than Redding bushings from my testing but I can’t tell the difference on paper). Finally I run a mandrel through.

Honestly it’s likely an extra step this way but I have the 3 die set and it works for me. Some day if I get curious enough I’ll buy an S type die to eliminate that step and compare the results of a fully sized neck (and with a bushing it will never be “fully sized” as the portion where the bushing meets the die won’t be from my understanding).

Also I do own a FL non bushing die and I use that for my AR10 rounds. So many die options...but each have a purpose.