Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

[ReaperDriver]

I just read Doc's excellent article on Reloading 101 and a question came up that I'm trying to resolve...

In the original "reloading 101" write up, Doc says he full-length sizes everytime and doesn't like the idea of the neck only bushing sizers. It was explained to me recently that the advantage of just neck sizing is that it doesn't "over work" your brass. What is the practical effect of full-length on your brass? Do you get 1 or 2 less reloads out of it? Do you have to trim it to length more often. I'm just trying to decide on getting the Redding neck sizer die that has a seperate body sizer or just go with the 2-die set that has a full-length sizer.

thanks in advance!

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

i know you are not referring to belted cases.....

but and however.....there will always be a need for full length resize......

i do things a tad different.....not in a kosher way....but you may need to bump the shoulder and so a neck sizer will also be needed....get the two die set.

 

[RL15]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

I always full length size in my auto loading weapons to safe guard against slam fires. In my bolt guns I like to neck size and ocasionally bump the shoulder back if the bolt becomes harder to open. However if you have more than one bolt gun of a certain caliber, keep your brass separated and only shoot it in one rifle. This may be why Doc recomends Full length sizing all
of his ammo.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RL15</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I always full length size in my auto loading weapons to safe guard against slam fires. In my bolt guns I like to neck size and ocasionally bump the shoulder back if the bolt becomes harder to open. <span style="font-weight: bold">However if you have more than one bolt gun of a certain caliber, keep your brass separated and only shoot it in one rifle. This may be why Doc recomends Full length sizing all </span>of his ammo. </div></div>

Ah... that makes perfect sense. Thanks.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RL15</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I always full length size in my auto loading weapons to safe guard against slam fires. In my bolt guns I like to neck size and ocasionally bump the shoulder back if the bolt becomes harder to open. However if you have more than one bolt gun of a certain caliber, keep your brass separated and only shoot it in one rifle. This may be why Doc recomends Full length sizing all
of his ammo. </div></div>
One last final question and I swear I'll shut up.... If I DO go for FL resizing over just neck sizing - does the process of FL resizing take care of setback and all the other issues that I would need to check if I just did neck sizing and the occassional body size? It seems to me if I went with the Redding S-type Match 2-die set that does FL sizing and uses a bushing to neck size - I'm getting the best of both worlds with the exception of maybe reducing my brass life a bit. Does that make sense or am I completely missing the point?

 

[former naval person]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

You definitely (at least I do) get better case life with neck sizing till it stiffens and then FL sizing. If you run crap brass it probably doesn't matter too much, but if you run Lapua or Norma, the life expectancy matters.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the practical effect of full-length on your brass? Do you get 1 or 2 less reloads out of it? </div></div>

Its a lot more like a factor of 2X-3X in brass life (longer if you anneal). A NO sized piece of brass can live 25-50 reload cycles even with rather hot loads.

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

It depends on what caliber. I found when using large calibers like cheytacs if i neck sized only the brass only lasted about 2 firings and it was way to hard to use again or splits. If you running something with less pressure i dont think its a problem but having said that I FL resize on everything I shoot except 223.

 

[mj2evans]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

Part of the problem with FL sizing is OVER sizing. You don't always need to run the shellholder in to touch the die. If you adjust your die to size just "enough" to chamber easy then you limit how much you work the brass. However, ball expander dies tend to work the hell out of the neck (make it smaller than needed) and factory chambers are generous in the neck so FL sizing tends to be hard on the neck and you will see splits. A lot of people say you can't get good concentricity with ball expander dies but my FL Foster 30-06 dies do very well (and you must FL for semi autos). I use the Foster "bump" die for 308 Win bolt rifle - this die pushes the shoulder back a little (.002-3) and you use neck bushings. This way I don't over work my brass and chambering is fine.

 

[cinosbus]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

Neck sizing or partial sizing has not been worth the trouble for me. My groups sizes are the same, only POI changes. I full length everything, but am still toying with partial full length sizing with the Redding stepped shell holders in a couple of break actions.

I would say that unless you have tried it and can prove a tangible group size reduction, it's easier to just buy new brass when it wears out instead of trying to make it last forever.

Forcing neck sized cases into a bolt action DOES increase locking lug wear, especially in a dirty environment.

 

[hairy spotter]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the practical effect of full-length on your brass? Do you get 1 or 2 less reloads out of it? </div></div>

Its a lot more like a factor of 2X-3X in brass life (longer if you anneal). A NO sized piece of brass can live 25-50 reload cycles even with rather hot loads. </div></div>

Please explain how a "NO sized" piece of brass will even hold a bullet. Why invent these statistics to prove something which is clearly false?

 

[Brent Thornton]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

FL Sizing all the time.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hairy spotter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the practical effect of full-length on your brass? Do you get 1 or 2 less reloads out of it? </div></div>

Its a lot more like a factor of 2X-3X in brass life (longer if you anneal). A NO sized piece of brass can live 25-50 reload cycles even with rather hot loads. </div></div>

Please explain how a "NO sized" piece of brass will even hold a bullet. Why invent these statistics to prove something which is clearly false? </div></div>

NO means Neck Only. The neck is reduced in diameter to 0.002 smaller then the outside diameter of the bullet. Thus the bullet is held in tension.

'NO' is very different than 'no'

 

[Tomekeuro85]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

I think NO is "Neck Only"

 

[cinosbus]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

Some crazy benchrest guys have "tight neck" chambers cut and cases fired in these chambers do not require ANY sizing to hold the bullet. Of course there's no safety margin there either.

 

[TCA4570]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

Start sorting by problems.
Everything is needed for problems, but not everytime.
If it doesn't fit, u musta quit.
one fix, will not solve all problems.

 

[Tomekeuro85]

Re: Neck Sizing vs Full-length sizing

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TCA4570</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Start sorting by problems.
Everything is needed for problems, but not everytime.
If it doesn't fit, u musta quit.
one fix, will not solve all problems.</div></div>

The early bird gets the worm?