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Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Hantra

Private
Minuteman
Feb 13, 2011
12
0
49
NC
If I'm going to use a Redding S FL Bushing Die to resize Lapua brass for my AR15, is neck turning a requirement?

Has anyone done any comparisons between turning necks and not turning them?

I am brand new to reloading for accuracy.

Thanks!
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

For a factory chamber neck turning isn't necessary. I think neck turning really comes into play when you have a custom cut chamber with a tight throat where run-out would be a problem.
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

if your going to use the expander ball then neck turning isnt required but if you plan to use a bushing only to set the neck ID then neck turning will assure consistent neck tension.
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Gotcha. So from this, is it safe to infer that a S FL die is overkill for a Wylde chambered AR where necks don't need to be turned? The regular FL die has the expander ball, and no bushings. Sounds like what I need.

Wonder how much accuracy I'll lose by not turning and using the bushings to ensure neck tension consistency. It's hard to find info on that specific to semi-auto's.

Thanks gents.
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Neck turning so you have uniform thickness might help you a bit for LR ammo. I'd turn so you have removed material from 50-70% of neck, just a clean up cut.

Is not a requirement to neck turn to use the FL S bushing die. Does become a bit more critical if you remove the ball expander but since you are shooting an AR you most probably have expander in to make case mouth round.

Do not expect you'll see all that much noticable improvement by neck turning your brass.
Most noticable improvement would be with your LR ammo loaded long & feed via bobsled or similar adapter.
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Do not waste your time turing necks for an AR. I use a Redding S die for my AR loads. You dont need to use the expander ball in fact it will work your brass less if you remove it. Measure the neck on a loaded round and order the bushing 3 thousanths smaller.My bushing size is .246 for Lapua brass. Never had any bullet setback problems. HTH
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Hantra,

How far are you going to be shooting? What sort of groups will keep you happy? Little things add up fast with a .223.

HTH,
DocB
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Hi Doc. . .

Unfortunately my range is only 200 yards. I would like to go to 500 someday with this gun if possible. I guess since I am brand new to accuracy shooting, I don't have a real idea what I am capable of to give you a group size.

I loaded 70 VLD this weekend to try and find the best COAL, and my groups were about .7 MOA. I plan to work up a charge next, but am still on brand new Lapua brass. Soon I'll have to size though.

Thanks to all for the advice.
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Hantra, do yourself a favor and don't get into neck turning, especially with an AR15. It is way too much effort with a yield of benefit most likely to be undetectable by even an experienced shooter in factory chambers, especially in a semi auto. Focus your time on consistent shoulder bumping, brass length, charge variance, and seating depth. But even with all this attention to detail, the most important thing to focus on is component selection.

Trust me, I have spent hours loading a handful of what I thought were perfect rounds, only to discover that they shot no better than a set of rounds I smashed together in a fraction of that time. Don't get me wrong, it is important to account for as many variables as you can, but you have to prioritize, or else you will spend days sitting in the reloading room.
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

Hantra,

Try VV N-140 with WSRs. You might improve vertical in your groups if you sort cases into 1 or 1/2 grain groups and uniform the primer pockets. Hold off on neck turning until groups are consistently 1/2 MOA.

HTH,
DocB
 
Re: Turn necks w/ a Redding S FL Bushing Die for .223?

I switched from LC to Lapua on my old AR and my groups shrunk significantly. I was using a Type S FL die with a .247" bushing. Skip the expander ball and don't bother turning necks.

In my experience Lapua is pretty much good to go out of the box. Measure and see for yourself. I haven't needed to bump any shoulders or trim, but I do sometimes run a bushing over the neck and uniform primer pockets.