Resizing Brass for Bolt action

[scootrd]

Ok ,, second reloading newbie question ,
When reloading cartridges for your Bolt action rifles do you
1. use just a Collete die to only resize the neck of your brass and allow the brass cartridge body to expand for your particular Bolt action 
or do you use full length resizing die to always reform the brass back to factory specs?

2. Do you use a crimping Die to crimp your cartridges for Bolt actions or is crimping not necessary for rifle ammunition.

[Tom W.]

I only own one bolt gun, but I have a Redding three die set for it. I've only shot one box of factory loads through it, the rest were handloads. If it's new brass, I'll run it through the F/L sizer, trim it, clean it and load it. After firing, I'll neck size and then check the length, and trim if necessary. I'm anal about my brass length for my rifles. As all of my rifles are single shots, crimping really isn't necessary, unless I'm having trouble with a load, as sometimes a light crimp is needed....

[LaOtto222]

I like Lee's neck collet dies for sizing only the necks. If I can not get them I use a Type "S" neck sizer - the ones that take a bushing. I continue to use the cases until the brass gets a little difficult to close the bolt on, then I push the shoulder back with a full length sizer just enough to easily close it again. I may anneal the necks some where along the line and watch for case growth and trim as necessary along the way. You will have less trimming to do if you do not push the shoulder back every time. It also reduces case stretch in the web area, making the brass last longer. If you are loading hot, what you will need to watch for most, if you do it like I suggest, is primer pocket enlargement. When the primers are easy to insert, it time to throw away the cases. I do not use a crimp, unless I have to. I try to have just enough neck tension to not use a crimp, but if it is a heavy recoiling round, you may have to. I am talking about bolt action rifle only. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[billy_56081]

If your bolt gun has front locking bolt lugs use the collet dies. The brass seems to last forever with them.

[Blowtorch53]

Hi Scootrd,

Good advice here from all.  You don't really have to use a collet die for your bolt action.  You can use your regular sizing die.  I full length resize all new brass and check it for length.  A lot of times it is not perfect and it is too long.  I trim if necessary.  After it is once fired, I neck size it only by slowly adjusting the die down to where it only sizes about 1/2 or 3/4 of the neck and doesn't touch the shoulder.  This is usually about 1/8" or so before the die touches your shellholder but it may vary by brand.  You can see how far it is sizing by looking at the lube on the case very easily.  I use all Lee stuff because it's less expensive and finger adjustable.  It makes accurate ammo. too.  You can test the neck tension by pushing the loaded round against a wooden bench.  If you can push it back in the case with a little pressure it is a problem.  You need a cannelure to crimp or you are urinating in a gale force wind.  You will wind up deforming the case where it won't chamber.  I have ruined a lot of cases like this so this is a voice of experience.  Sometimes it's so subtle you don't realize it until you try to chamber it.  If the neck tension is good your ok without a crimp.  It not, your sizer is too big or you need a Lee factory crimp die.  Even with these, a little crimp on a rifle round goes a long way.   Remember that neck sizing is chancy if the round wasn't fired in your rifle and it is necessary to make sure your rounds will chamber before taking them out hunting and making the discovery that they won't.  Do be afraid to experiment a little but be safe!  Have fun!!!  My 2 cents.

BT

[Lloyd Smale]

Unless your shooting bench rest competition or are loading for a super accurate varmit rig, full lenght size your brass. It may not last quite as long but will come close if you dont load to the max everytime. What it does is insures reliability. I know when i grab ammo its not only going to function in my gun but will function in any other gun in that caliber. I find very little difference if any between the accuracy of full lenght sized brass and neck sized brass.

[Grumulkin]

1.  I think a lot of times, full length sizing vs neck sizing does make very little differnce in accuracy but sometimes there is enough of a difference to notice.  If to be shot in the same gun, I generally only neck size.

2.  I crimp if a cartridge is to be shot in a heavy recoil cartridge in a revolver or a rifle with a magazine.  Examples would be 460 S&W Magnum, 300 Weatherby Magnum, 375 H&H Magnum and 458 Lott.  I don't crimp for such rounds as 30/06.

3.  A lot of people swear by Lee Collet dies.  Recently, in loading for a 7mm/08 the collet dies gave me much worse accuracy than new brass or brass neck sized with a traditional Redding neck sizing die.  Most of the time the Lee dies are OK and if you want to crimp; nothing beats their factory crimp die.

[sgtt]

For hunting rounds I measure the shoulder datum on about 5 pieces of brass fired from that particular gun.  I take the average and turn a full length resizer in until that same measurement is reached. 

[renegade50]

good info and advice!!!!!!!!  gonna be new to reloading soon myself