Author Topic: Full length vs neck sizing (Read 1608 times)

GH1 · « **on:** July 10, 2011, 09:45:42 AM »

What are the pros & cons of each? I'm interested in .30-30 specific info, but any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks.
GH1

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2011, 10:19:13 AM »

Full length resizing benifit is more reliable chamering cartridges. The down side is you have to lube your brass. You can partially full length resize brass by adjusting your sizing die so it doesn't set the shoulder back for possibly a little better accuracy and longer case life.

Neck sizing benifits are possibly more accurate ammo, possibly longer case life, and you only need to lube the inside of the case necks.

revbc · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2011, 01:13:39 PM »

It has been my limited experience that neck sizing really works well with my bolt guns; however, for single shots, levers, or autos I full length resize. I can never get consistent lock up on these without at least pushing the shoulder back somewhat.

Bobby

JustaShooter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2011, 04:45:25 PM »

Quote from: revbc on July 10, 2011, 01:13:39 PM

It has been my limited experience that neck sizing really works well with my bolt guns; however, for single shots, levers, or autos I full length resize. I can never get consistent lock up on these without at least pushing the shoulder back somewhat.

+1

Especially with break actions rifles like the Encore, you can get vertical stringing due to inconsistent pressure on the breech face. Not sure if you'd see anything like that with lever guns like many 30-30s I've seen though.

Just a Shooter

shot1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:18:27 AM »

If you are using a leaver gun always FL size or you will have problems. Neck sizing is mainly for bolt rifles and you usually have to bump the shoulder a bit for best results. If neck sizing for any weapon the cases must have been fired in that weapon you are loading for. I partial FL size most of my cases for bolt rifles and my Contender pistols that are bottle neck. I use a FL die but adjust it to just bump the shoulder.

GH1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:22:32 PM »

I'll be loading for a break action Handi, and possibly for a 336 Marlin. I'll plan on buying a three die set so I can do both if need be.
Thanks for the input everyone.
GH1

mechanic · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:47:17 PM »

So far, I've only neck sized for my Handi's, when the case is one shot from the gun in question. When I have more than one weapon, I full length size. I've never had a chambering problem or an accuracy problem. Of course, I've only loaded for three bottle neck cartriges in my Handi's, 223, 243, 280. The rest are rimmed cartridges.

The 243's I full length, as my brother and nephew also use them. I've got some 280 brass on it's 4th reload with limited sizing.

Ben

GH1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2011, 01:11:16 PM »

Couldn't I neck size with a full length by not cycling the press lever fully?
GH1

JustaShooter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2011, 05:07:18 PM »

Quote from: GH1 on July 17, 2011, 01:11:16 PM

Couldn't I neck size with a full length by not cycling the press lever fully?

Sure, although you'll get more consistent results if you adjust the die to give the desired effect rather than trying to cycle the press to the same point each time. I've heard this method called partial full length sizing since it sometimes does more than just the neck - it might touch the cartridge body, etc in addition to the neck. I use that method for cartridges I reload for break actions. I set the die to resize the case to where it gives me about .001 headspace. For some cartridges (like the .243 Win), that means it will bump the shoulder every time I resize. For others, it might just resize the neck for several sizings before it bumps the shoulder.

Hope this helps.

Just a Shooter

WSM264 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2011, 04:51:48 AM »

Set your full length die about a half of penny thickness off of the shellholder. You will size the neck enough to hold the bullet w/o sizing the shoulder/base.
This is the only way I size belted mag ammo, as the belt determines headspace not the shoulder.

calvon · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2011, 07:33:32 AM »

Not to pick a quarrel with Brandt, but if you neck size belted cases they will headspace on the shoulder and not on the belt. This is predicated, of course, on the reloads being used in the gun they were originally fired in.

parkergunshop · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2011, 07:55:04 AM »

Calvon, You wrote:

calvon

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Re: Full length vs neck sizing « Reply #10 on: Today at 11:33:32 AM »

Quote

Not to pick a quarrel with Brandt, but if you neck size belted cases they will headspace on the shoulder and not on the belt. This is predicated, of course, on the reloads being used in the gun they were originally fired in.

Cavlon,

Brant is doing the same thing I do with the belted magnums, you get longer case life and improved accuracy by neck sizing and not pushing the shoulder back with each reloading of the case. The two main reasons to neck size, regardless of the round being a belted magnum, rimmed or rimless case. As Dave stated on the first reply to this thread. This applies to the more rigid action types with front locking lugs, rear locking lugs or most lever actions do not readily lend themselves to neck sizing only.

WSM264 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2011, 09:12:15 AM »

No worries calvon: What I'm doing sets the case up to headspace on the shoulder and the belt. After initial firing of course.

Bottom Line: On a 30-30 break open or lever gun you may have difficulty chambering a neck sized only piece of brass. If you keep your pressures low(cast bullet loads) you should be OK for 1-3 firings using just a neck size. If your pressures are normal or high, I would FL size them.
A trick I use for increasing the accuracy in break opens, is to seat the bullet to touch the rifling. This helps align the bullet for launch. You will have to adjust your powder charge accordingly, and the use of a slower powder will cut down on a pressure spike.

Zeak · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2011, 09:37:23 AM »

I use a 1/16" thick washer and put it under full length dies to partial resize. Then when you full length just leave the washer out, this saves adjusting dies back and forth. You can go with a thicker washer also. Zeak

GH1 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:46:35 PM »

Thanks for the replies everyone, lots of good info for sure. I'm planning on using 165 gr non-GC cast bullets so I'm looking at 1600-1800 FPS, no more. I plan on using AA5744 powder, as it will work in the .45-70 as well.
GH1

Buckskin · « **Reply #15 on:** July 26, 2011, 05:12:27 AM »

Quote from: JustaShooter on July 10, 2011, 04:45:25 PM

Quote from: revbc on July 10, 2011, 01:13:39 PM
It has been my limited experience that neck sizing really works well with my bolt guns; however, for single shots, levers, or autos I full length resize. I can never get consistent lock up on these without at least pushing the shoulder back somewhat.

+1

Especially with break actions rifles like the Encore, you can get vertical stringing due to inconsistent pressure on the breech face. Not sure if you'd see anything like that with lever guns like many 30-30s I've seen though.

Just a Shooter

This is not always the case for Encores. I've had great accuracy improvements with my 204 rifle barrel and 7mm-08 pistol barrel with neck sizing only with the Lee Collet die. Down side is of course at some point you have to bump the shoulders back. For that batch I just use them for plinking rounds...

JustaShooter · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2011, 04:57:27 PM »

Quote from: Buckskin on July 26, 2011, 05:12:27 AM

Quote from: JustaShooter on July 10, 2011, 04:45:25 PM
Quote from: revbc on July 10, 2011, 01:13:39 PM
It has been my limited experience that neck sizing really works well with my bolt guns; however, for single shots, levers, or autos I full length resize. I can never get consistent lock up on these without at least pushing the shoulder back somewhat.

+1

Especially with break actions rifles like the Encore, you can get vertical stringing due to inconsistent pressure on the breech face. Not sure if you'd see anything like that with lever guns like many 30-30s I've seen though.

Just a Shooter

This is not always the case for Encores. I've had great accuracy improvements with my 204 rifle barrel and 7mm-08 pistol barrel with neck sizing only with the Lee Collet die. Down side is of course at some point you have to bump the shoulders back. For that batch I just use them for plinking rounds...

I agree, for slow-growing cartridges especially, you may not see the vertical stringing issue until the cases are ready to have the shoulders bumped. Problem is, unless you are really paying close attention you'll have a batch that doesn't perform well, then a batch where you've bumped the shoulders that you use for plinking... Seems to me it is better to set the full-length sizing die to give your cases a consistent headspace each time. But that's what seems to work best for me, you may find another approach works best for you. Ain't America great?

Just a Shooter