Full length sizing (?)

[jrchurch254a]

I am going to post this email on several forums so if any of you read it a second time dont think I dont trust your input; I simply want to make sure I get every bit of useful information that I can.

So, when I get a new batch of brass I have always full length sized the cases prior to the first loading.  I have to do this for some reason with my Ruger M77 in .35 Whelen or I get misfires.  The shoulders of the brass are too rounded and seem to cause the round to push forward somewhat when the pin stikes the primer.  Once I full length size them they fire great.  Now I read lots of threads about just re-sizing the "neck" of the casing after the first firing, is this as simply as running the expander ball down the throat of the casing so as to allow easier seating of the bullet? To pop out the spent primer would I just extend the ball down as far as I can to punch out the primer?

I have been reloading for a bunch of years and it just kind of dawned on me that it was needless to full length size the brass each time I reload.  I would imagine when the brass is formed inside the chamber then the fit would be pretty much exact and thus the need to full length the brass un-necessary.

I apologize if some of you are rolling your eyes with this question, but hey, I joined these forums to tap the vast knowledge and wisdom of all.....plus to get razzed every once in a while along the way.

Thanks for all the help and thanks for supporting your military personnel, we surely appreciate it.

Chief

[davem270win]

I have a Ruger 77 in 35 Whelen. I also had a problem with misfires. After some research, I felt the problem was the brand of primers I was using. After I switched primer brands, I had no more problems.

Reading your post makes me wonder if maybe I had the same problem you describe. The problem could be related only to new virgin brass, and once-fired brass may solve the problem, whether you full length size or neck size.

If you use the gun for hunting and want to neck size, you'll need to be sure to check the functioning of those loads, since there is a possibility they may not chamber. You could also "partial resize", by backing the FL die off just a hair.

[Ahab]

I've gone to using the Lee collet die neck sizer on all my rifle hand loads. Haven't any problems and believe they are more accurate than my old full length sized ones.

[Val]

I too use the Lee Collet necksizers. Neck sizing reduces the wear and tear on the brass. When you neck size you don't have to lube the case so it saves some steps. It's still under debate on whether or not accuracy improves with neck sizing.

[stimpylu32]

I still FL size new brass but as of late i have been backing the dies off 1 full turn on fireformed cases and this is working well for me , i did have to drop the decapper pin down a little though .

stimpy

[wncchester]

Jr, it sounds like you may be thinking what is normally called "partial" FL sizing, in which the case is only partially inserted into the size die.  It can work if your chamber is on the small size and your die is a bit large so the case body isn't affected by the sizer.  Otherwise it is better to use a decicated neck sizer and the Lee Collet Neck Die is a good one.

How you set the expander/decapper button has no impact on sizing.

We only need to neck size down to the point that it covers the base of the bullet, anything further down means nothing.

[Lone Star]

...It's still under debate on whether or not accuracy improves with neck sizing.

Exactly right.  It really depends on the quality of the brass, and the dimensions of the chamber and the FL die.  Some very accurate long range competition shooters find that FL sizing gives better accuracy - as long as the dies and chamber are top quality.  Since most chambers - and dies - are slightly off center, trying to fit a fire-formed case back into the chamber exactly the same way each time is not practical.  A FL-sized case lies in exactly the same way in the chamber for each shot - the neck sized case may or may not.  Both methods can work, but it all depends on the dimensions involved.  Quality costs money.


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[jgalar]

I use collet dies for all my reloads that are used in bolt guns. Once the brass is trimmed I seldom need to trim again, no case lube needed, and the brass lasts for ever (well almost)

[Lone Star]

I use the Lee collet dies on a few cartridges, but you will find that if you use loads near max the cases will eventually expand enough to impare chambering and require FL sizing (some guns and cartridges are more prone to this than others).  But for moderate loads and strong bolt rifles neck sizing works well for a long time.  Only actual accuracy testing (not two groups but a statistically valid   number) would determine which sizing method was best for your gun and dies.


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[PaulS]

Full length sizing new brass may or may not be necessary depending on your chamber dimensions. I usually semi-full length size new brass working it as little as necessary. That way I know it will fit correctly. After the first firing I only size the first .3" of the neck. The expanded body and the portion of the neck provide better centering of the cases in the chamber. My accuracy improved greatly when I began doing this years ago. Now it is just part of the routine. After sizing the case neck I run it through the trimmer just to be sure that all the cases are the same. I rarely get growth enough to trim but as part of my routine I run them through the steps. Tumble them to remove the lube and then I clean the primer pockets, seat the new primers. I charge them with powder next and then seat the bullets. After I get all the cases loaded I run them through the rifle to make sure they all chamber. It is a formality that I began doing when I didn't do it before a hunt once. When I got in the field I had only two rounds that chambered in the gun. I had neck sized some cases that my brother had fired in his gun and they wouldn't chamber in mine. I learned that one the hard way. I checked my zero with one of the shots and never fired the second. No game that weekend but a valuable lesson was learned.