neck sizing

[Countryboy]

I usually use lee collet dies but got RCBS for my 204. Ive always heard to just back off a full length die to neck size. How much do I back it off.

Thanks

[Grumulkin]

Back it off enough so that about 3/4 of the neck is sized.  Better yet, get a dedicated neck sizing die.

[Steve P]

Smoke the neck of the fired brass with a candle.   Set the sizing die so it cleans off the smoke but doesn't get into the shoulder.  As you set the die, you can see the ring of clean brass on the neck.  Adjust the die down until just the neck is clean, then back die up about half a turn.

Steve 

[MnMike]

On my 7-30 Waters I tried a Hornaday neck sizing die since Lee doesn't make one. It did not work.

To do neck sizing on the 7-30, I use Mica powder (Midway makes a little station for this) on the neck: inside and out. I adjust the die until 3/4 to 7/8 of the neck is clean of the mica.

The mica doesn't have to be cleaned off the cartridge like the water based lubes.

If you use the  Lee .204 collet die, you need no lube, and you won't have to trim nearly as often - maybe never.

[LaOtto222]

I use the Lee neck sizing collet dies too when ever I can. I could not get one for the 221 Fireball. I even tried to custom order one for it and they said they could not make one that short and sent back my money. They make a 22 Hornet (I have one) and it is the same length as the 221 FireBall go figure. Anyway, I bought a neck sizing die for mine, the kind that you can change the dies in. You just have to find the right size that will work on your particular brass/bullet combination. They usually recommend to buy a sizing die that is .002 or .003 thousands under the loaded size of your brass with a bullet seated. They also sell "neck sizer" dies, these are set in diameter and if they work for your application then great, but if they are not the right size, they are useless. Of course the poor mans neck sizer is the full length die backed off and set as described very well above. This works OK in some applications, but does not keep your neck in line with the case body and in some cases will still size the shoulder a little. The beauty of the Lee collet dies, they keep every thing in alignment and need no lube. I really do like these and think they are superior to any other type used.