reloading my .243

[tvc15]

I THINK I HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT FOR RELOADING BUT NOW I AM TRYING TO GATHER INFO.  WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NECK SIZING AND FULL LENGTH SIZING? SOME OF THE INFO I HAVE TELLS YOU TO JUST NECK SIZE YOU BRASS IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE IT IN THE SAME GUN. IF SO CAN YOU NECK SIZE WITH A FULL LENGTH DIE? SORRY TO SEEM SO STUPID, BUT  OTHER FORUMNS SEEM TO TALK OVER MY HEAD.                     THANKS, TVC15

[howard NZ]

Have you got your dies yet? Normally you buy a set of dies that has a full length sizing die and a bullet seating die.  The neck sizing die usually is purchused seperatly,the thought is that using the neck sizing die will give better accuracy because the case fits exactly to your chamber, when you use a full length die it returns the case to a size that will fit in any gun in that calibre, a good idea in semis and lever actions that have poor extraction compared to bolt actions, not sure in Handi rifles, will be able to tell you in two weeks time after I have finished testing loads in my new handi rifle in .243, I will try both full length sized cases and neck sized cases.
Regards Howard.

[Lone Star]

Welcome to the hobby!  Which reloading manuals have you purchased?  A manual is the single most important piece of reloading equipment, and most manuals will have answers to all your basic questions.  We are happy to help you here, but you can get detailed answers, often with pictures, in most manuals.  

Tip:  get two different manuals.

You can use the full length sizing die to partial neck-size most cartrigdes, but a few cannot be neck-sized without a special neck-sizing die.  I have both dies for my .243 so I usually reach for the neck-sizing die.  As a new reloader, I'd suggest you full length size your brass at first, until you have  abetter understanding of the mechanics of reloading.  

Tip: follow the set up instructions in the reloading manuals, not the ones that come with the die.

[tvc15]

I HAVE A SIERRIA RELOADING MANUAL THAT CAME WITH THE PRESS. HOWEVER I PLAN TO PURCHASE A HORNADY BECAUSE I HAVE HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH THERE FACTORY AMMO IN BOTH BENCH SHOOTING AND HUNTING. I ALSO BOUGHT FULL LENGHTH DIES FOR THE .243   THANKS

[Lone Star]

The latest Sierra Manual explains neck sizing on page 151.  This manual is one of the best at describing the many different pieces of reloading rquipment.  Don't make the mistake so many new reloaders do: be sure to read the first 181 pages before you even look at the reloading data.