Can't use Collet Die on my .348 brass?

[BrushBuster]

Could I have an explanation as to why Neck-Sizing Collet Dies are Not recommended for autoloaders, slide or lever action guns?

[Winter Hawk]

The actions on these rifles often don't lock up tightly, allowing a little case stretch.  If you don't full-length resize, the reloads may be oversized enough not to chamber properly.  The same can happen with some bolt actions, though.  I had a little Remington in .308 (I forget the model number; 600, maybe?) which didn't have the locking lugs at the front of the bolt.  The lugs were at the rear by the bolt handle, and it allowed enough case stretch that on the 3rd reload, neck sizing the case, the bolt wouldn't close.  On the other hand, my Win. 88 which has the rotating lugs at the front of the bolt has no problems with neck sized brass.  I would suggest that you try neck sizing, but before priming the cases run them through your action to see if they will chamber properly.  If not you will need to go to the full length sizing die.

-Kees-

[Blackhawk44]

k02, M788=rear lugs.

[Winter Hawk]

788 it was.  Sold for college money.
-Kees-

[BrushBuster]

Thanks fellows:
If I could recap this to confirm my understanding:

I could use a Collet Neck Sizing Die for my lever action cartridges (assuming I could purchase one) as long as I check that full-length stretching is not occurring to the point of jamming (in my gun), and if so, I must full-length Size prior to use of the Collet Die.

Use of the Collet Die to neck-size only whenever stretching has not occurred to the degree of jamming can extend my brass life because the stresses of repeatedly full-lenth sizing are minimized.

Following this procedure, in addition to extending brass life, can avoid most neck splitting occurrences, provide precision bullet fitting, minimize neck run-out and omit the need for case lube (this also assumes I would avoid hot loads).  

Would these extra steps and Collet Die purchase be practical? It is the extended brass life that appeals, not gains in accuracy.

[gunnut69]

It wouldn't remove the need to lube the cases but partial sizing gives many of the benefits of neck sizing without the pain.  Set a standard sizer to just kiss the shoulder.  I use a case that was fired in the rifle and set the sizer to touch the shoulder by using a ermanent marker to make a stripe down the neck and case in serveral places around the case.  The extent to which it's removed is where the sizing process stopped.  This wat of setting the die insures max cxase life and a tight case to chamber fit.  Caution- resized thiss way the ammo may not chamber if other rifles...depending on tolerances.  Sizing in this manner I've loaded some 243's and 222's 15-20 times.  The only loses accur with work hardening of the neck... This can be remedied by annealing the neck although unless the brass is extremely hard to come by I usually just replace it..
Oh yes-- the reason full length sizing is reccommended for lever, pumps, singleshots and autoloaders is that they don't have the leverage to close the bolt on a slightly long case.  Bolts action rifles create tremendous leverage and cam literally size a case and force the bolt closed.  Some autoloaders even reccomemd the use of small base dies which resive the case further down it's length and to minimal tollerances.

[BrushBuster]

Thank you gentlemen:
I think I've got the picture.  That partial sizing method seems to fit my needs simply and inexpensively.