Neck sizing ????

[Blucollar]

Basic question I know, but I want to be sure.
Can you neck size with a standard full length sizing die (such as Lee)?
If so how?
If not, what will I need?
Thanks, Blu

[gypsyman]

blucollar, this is what I was told over 30 years ago. You can put a spacer in between the shellholder and the die when you tighten it down. Couple thin warshers work. Always use the same one's, so as not to change adjustment between the die and the shellholder. This way your just sizing the top 2/3 of the neck, or so, depending on the case.  gypsyman

[corbanzo]

Even though with the washers you are sizing less of the neck and less down by the rim, you are still going to be sizing most of the case.

It is true though, it will sit in your rifle more consistantly if the bottom of the neck and the rim are staying to the original size, so it could make some improvement if that is what you are looking for, but not exactly the same as a neck sizer.  For a true neck sizing on a regular full length die, you would have to drill the carbide out of the die..... which ain't easy.  Better of just looking for a neck sizing die... not too expensive. 

[beemanbeme]

Whether or not you're touching the body of the case or not depends on the case. I would imagine if you're reloading one of the shorties or an AI, you can't use that method without working part of the body of the case but a lot of the others, you can.  I've done it. Even if you can't, you're holding the case in better alignment.
When I'm setting up a F/L die, I set it up so it is indeed full length resizing.  Then I get a peice of thin flat stock or a thin fender washer and make a hole in it that is big enough that the body of the die will fit thru it.  Then I slide it onto the body of the die so it fits between the locking ring and the top of the press and tighten the die down.  And I'm neck sizing.  If you doubt it, blacken an entire case and run it into the die and see. 
When the cases get hard to chamber or I'm reloading hunting ammo, I remove the washer and then I'm F/L resizing. 

[jgalar]

Depends on why you want to neck size.
You can insert a feeler gage between your shell holder and bottom of the die to set up. Probably .025-.020" to start. Look at what is actually being sized, then adjust your depth with different feeler gages. You will still get much more case stretch than using a Lee neck sizer.

The Lee neck sizer is assume in my opinion. I don't shoot max loads, mostly a cast bullet shooter, but I seldom need to trim my cases and cases last almost forever. I don't get the same results with the RCBS neck sizer.

[Questor]

For bottleneck cartridges, neck sizing is done with a neck sizing die.

[victorcharlie]

I use a standard die.....just run a case to the top of the ram, and adjust the die down until it touches the top of the case.....then lower the case and screw the die down until enough neck is sized to suit me.

This doesn't set the shoulder back and doesn't work the case much at all, if any......