I've reloaded for a few rifles in the past but am still probably a novice. I only neck sized previously, usually with Lee collet dies, and hadn't had any issues.
However I'm gearing up to start loading again, this time for a 223 Tikka. Assuming I'm only using brass that was fired in this rifle, and I'm only going to fire the ammo in this same rifle, is there any advantage to full length sizing or maybe bumping the shoulder? Or should I just keep on neck sizing?
Thanks
LOL. I posted one of Eric's videos in this thread as a comment of why I only FL size.
I listen to the professionals. Eric has a video where he walks down the shooting line at a PRS event and asks how the shooters load, to a man they Full Size reload.
For the most part, this is what I do. When the case gets hard to chamber, I will run it through the F.L. die and bump the shoulder .0005” to .001”. Although, most cases only go a couple of firings before they get difficult to chamber. I also anneal.I full length size, 0.002 shoulder bump, and anneal. Hoping to get max reloads out of my brass.
Inefficiency aside, what about FL sizing in a bushing die without bushings or expander, then neck sizing with a collet die? This would give the benefit of FL sizing and the concentricity and low stress on the necks of the collet die. The collet and internal mandrel of a Lee collet die should to address both internal and external concentricity in the neck, plus it doesn't pull or push on the case, and works the brass minimally just like a neck bushing.
Inefficiency aside, what about FL sizing in a bushing die without bushings or expander, then neck sizing with a collet die? This would give the benefit of FL sizing and the concentricity and low stress on the necks of the collet die. The collet and internal mandrel of a Lee collet die should to address both internal and external concentricity in the neck, plus it doesn't pull or push on the case, and works the brass minimally just like a neck bushing.
How do you round the corner of a bag?I watched the long podcat/video between Speedy and Eric on the no neck sizing thing. I thing the reason why they stopped neck sizing only escapes most people.
It was what everyone did in there competition once upon a time. Full length sizing properly(2 thou) didnt seem to be a thing back then. It was either neck or die fully bottomed out on the shell holder. Neck sizing only will eventually cause a stiff bolt lift and close. This stiff bolt lift and close rounded the corners of the bags they were shooting on making the guns tippy and thats where the fliers came from. Speedy started making the bushing dies redding currently makes for himself only, keeping what he did a secret for 1 season. sizing the case just barely enough to get no resistance on bolt closing. this kept his bags square and gun stable, which apparently made a big difference on the score sheet.
If your bolt closes slightly stiff on your coyote rifle i doubt it will cost you fur. I neck size most of my varmint, and lr rounds with a lee collet die cause there is no lube and no clean up required. However any resistance they get put through a properly set full length die. Check for resistance before sizing and decide which die to use.
Amen. The more I listen to guys who just shoot silly target games and not hunt, the more I shake my head. I just don’t get it. People purposely practice, and practice, and practice, to the point of expert level competency, and then they never even step onto the field. Baffling to me.There is a huge difference between what Cortina and Speedy are using and the gear that we use
Their dies are matched exactly to their chambers whereas factory dies are generally undersized and factory chambers are over spec so the brass is getting worked hugely more