Re-sizing brass

[guy pepper]

Hi all,

So I have been reading through the lee reloading manual and it seems to me that re-sizing your brass is a waste of time.

The way it read to me was when you shoot your casing expands to the size of your barrel, if you then leave it at that size, reload it and shoot it again it's less stress on the brass and makes a more accurate bullet.

What do you all do? Do you resize your brass every time or just remove the primer resize the neck and reload?

Just wanted to make sure I read that right before I buy a de-capper that wont re-size my brass.

I'm using .308 BTW.

[Monty]

When you say "re-sizing your brass is a waste of time" I assume you mean full length resizing? I'll answer assuming this is the case...

You're correct that when you fire a cartridge the pressure expands the brass to the size of your chamber (not your barrel).

You're 2 most common options then are neck-sizing only - keeping the brass fireformed to your rifles chamber - or full length resizing.

Neck-sizing only is a perfectly valid option and has a few pros:

1) You don't have to lube the brass bodies for resizing which saves you time.
2) Like you said, Lee claim that 'neck sizing only' is more accurate, not something I've tested conclusively for so I can't say 100% but lets call this a plus for the sake of conversation.
3) It works the brass less than full-length sizing which is good for the life of your brass.

Depending on the tolerances/design of your rifles chamber though, it may not like cartridges and may not feed them smoothly. Feeding can be rough or occasionally case jams. Not the end of the world at the range, but if you're a hunter it could cost you prize game if your rifle won't feed at the wrong time.

If neck sized rounds won't feed, any other pro's obviously don't mean anything.

Full length sizing obviously solves this. You take the brass back to as new (or close enough) specs - body, shoulder neck and all - which will feed in any rifle all day long.

When you're talking about brass expanding your talking about thousands of an inch. As far as brass life goes, you can easily get 20-30 reloads out of full length resized brass. With annealing you might make this 40-50 if done properly. I haven't seen anyone getting more than that demonstrate it's due entirely to their neck sizing only.

[The Brass]

Depending on the tolerances/design of your rifles chamber though, it may not like cartridges and may not feed them smoothly. Feeding can be rough or occasionally case jams.

As as example, a mate of mine has a Tikka T3 light in 300 Win Mag and reloads using Winchester brass.

They won't chamber well with neck-resizing only.

Full length resizing a must in that case.

[guy pepper]

Ahhhhh, I thought it sounded a little bit good to be true, there is a con to everything isn't there, hahahaha.

Well, I think it's one of those things were it's worth a try. I might load up 20 and take them to the range and see how it goes.

[Aster]

Ahhhhh, I thought it sounded a little bit good to be true, there is a con to everything isn't there, hahahaha.

Shooting is the worst thing in the world for that.

There are dozens of this which should/could/will/wont/might/maybe do what you want, but ultimately it doesn't mean anything until you try it in your rifle where half of them won't pan out

[Rakk]

Well, I think it's one of those things were it's worth a try. I might load up 20 and take them to the range and see how it goes.

Definitely. It's all worth a try.

They might chamber perfectly for you and save you hours of work in the future.

Go for it.

[Bills Shed]

There are dozens of this which should/could/will/wont/might/maybe do what you want, but ultimately it doesn't mean anything until you try it in your rifle where half of them won't pan out

Isn't that the truth. There is a lot of info out there where we must / can't live without/ etc-etc.

If it works and you are happy with it... Leave it alone and have fun.

Bill

[tucked]

If it works and you are happy with it... Leave it alone and have fun.

Bingo. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

[Hercl]

Another limitation of neck sizing only, is the fireformed brass is only good for the rifle it was formed in.

If you give a few cartridges to a mate or vice-versa, they likely won't chamber well in the different rifle.

[Don10]

In terms of the mechanics. Can you use a FL sizing die and back it off so it only sizes the necks? or is this over simplifying the issue?

[Lorgar]

You could I guess...

I don't know if this is the same for all dies, but on my RCBS dies as you feed the brass up the rod goes through the inside of the neck first, then above that is goes onto the outside of the neck, the body and finally the shoulder at the end of the pull.

Just plonking the die on and up a few turns though you'd squeeze the top of the body, but not press the shoulder back or the bottom of the body. You don't want the shoulder high to creep up if your not maintaining it so you'd still need a little bump there.

Without spending forever measuring everything I think you'd just end up with out of spec brass if you tried to half size it with a FL die. Judging by my RCBS FL dies anyway...

For all that though a die is like $35 or something... Just buy a neck sizing die and save yourself the grief.

Dunno why you'd bother with all the extra work instead of just getting a neck die.

[Don10]

Looking at some overseas forums it seems that by backing off the FL die you partially resize the brass.

There seems to be a debate as to FL size, partial size or neck size. As I am fairly new to reloading I wont wade into that fire storm. Some input from more experienced persons would be appreciated.

As for why to do it I have had some issues getting neck sizing dies and I guess if you only have to buy one die may as well be a FL die that can be backed off and used to partially resize.

Merry Christmas.

[Chronos]

In terms of the mechanics. Can you use a FL sizing die and back it off so it only sizes the necks? or is this over simplifying the issue?

What you are referring to us known as partial sizing. It's what I do now however there is a trick. You need to measure the case length before sizing then size a bit at a time until the case shoulder moves back .001"-.002". This gives you uniform case lengths and easy chambering without overworking the brass.

To do this you'll need something like the hornady headspace gauge kit which fits onto your vernier calipers and measures from the base if the case to the datum point on the shoulder

Chronos

[Westy]

I have all my rifles shooting 1/2 M.O.A.

So why not full length resize the brass?

[guy pepper]

So I have found (with this particular gun) neck re sizing only is DEFIANTLY more accurate

[yoshie]

If you are buying brand new brass or even second hand brass you should always full length size it first

[Chronos]

If you are buying brand new brass or even second hand brass you should always full length size it first

this ^^^

always FLS, check case length, primer pockets and flash holes. it would be naive to assume all remington brass has a flash hole punched in it

Chronos

[Warrigul]

Hi all,

So I have been reading through the lee reloading manual and it seems to me that re-sizing your brass is a waste of time.

The way it read to me was when you shoot your casing expands to the size of your barrel, if you then leave it at that size, reload it and shoot it again it's less stress on the brass and makes a more accurate bullet.

What do you all do? Do you resize your brass every time or just remove the primer resize the neck and reload?

Just wanted to make sure I read that right before I buy a de-capper that wont re-size my brass.

I'm using .308 BTW.

I use collet dies for .303, .308 and get up to six reloads before partial FLS in the case of the .303 or depending on which rifle 10 before body sizing for the .308.

Basically a collet dies squeezes down on a mandrel and doesn't overwork the neck like a FLS or normal neck sizing die does(squeezing the neck down then forcing it back out).

For the .303 it is essential if you want 40 plus reloads out of a case

For the .308 (with ex mil brass) it cuts down the number of neck splits dramatically and in my case there is definately no loss of accuracy.

However what you do is up to you.

[ebr love]

There seems to be a debate as to FL size, partial size or neck size. As I am fairly new to reloading I wont wade into that fire storm. Some input from more experienced persons would be appreciated.

More than "some" debate

Each method has pros an cons in terms of performance, brass life or work required.

TBH there isn't one "right" answer, so I won't bother adding another opinion to this...

If what you're doing is working for you, keep doing it. If it's not, try something new.

Whatever works for you is the best method.

[ebr love]

I have all my rifles shooting 1/2 M.O.A.

So why not full length resize the brass?

If it's proven to work for you, keep doing it.

Out of curiosity, have you tried neck sizing just too see if there is any benefit to your particular setup?

[Lorgar]

So why not full length resize the brass?

In my case it's just a waste of time...

Full length sizing I have to lube all the cases before sizing them. Takes time and adds mess.

Neck sizing I just put the cases straight through the press after firing, and my rifle happily chambers and ejects the neck-sized brass.

Technical reasons like less worked brass etc. aside, at the end of the day there is just no reason for me to spend the time doing it.

[The Brass]

I have all my rifles shooting 1/2 M.O.A.

So why not full length resize the brass?

This for Guy:

So I have found (with this particular gun) neck re sizing only is DEFIANTLY more accurate

This for Lorgar:

In my case it's just a waste of time...

This for you:

If what you're doing is working for you, keep doing it. If it's not, try something new.

Whatever works for you is the best method.

[headspace]

I'm with Lorgar, neck size only but check overall case length periodically. Provided the brass is only used in the rifle it was fireformed in and it's a bolt action with front locking lugs FL sizing should be unnecessary. If in doubt chamber some fired brass and see.

[yoshie]

I neck size my 223 spotlighting gun, 6.5x284 f class gun and a 7mm wildcat based off a 30.30 I have in a Thompson Contender pistol all my other cartridges I fls because I use them for hunting and I don't want to have feeding issues. whatever works for you. I've never had much success with partial sizing I find it hard to get enough neck tension, maybe I wasn't sizing enough??

[Lorgar]

I'm with Lorgar, neck size only but check overall case length periodically. Provided the brass is only used in the rifle it was fireformed in...

That's me. I don't bother to measure the cases but I do trim after every 2-3 shoots to keep it under control. I'm not shooting super hot loads so not much neck stretching anyway, only a fraction comes off with each trim.

And only firing in the one rifle so everything is formed appropriately.

[Warrigul]

I just trim them if over max length, very little stretch when collet dies are used.

Just to answer Headspace I use neck sized rounds in my .303's, they are rear lockers and have no issues for at least five neck sizes.

[headspace]

I just trim them if over max length, very little stretch when collet dies are used.

Just to answer Headspace I use neck sized rounds in my .303's, they are rear lockers and have no issues for at least five neck sizes.

That's pretty good then mate, it's been many years since I owned a Smelly, and there was always this fl issue. But back then Berdan primers were also a problem so I guess you move with the times.

JD

[Lorgar]

I just trim them if over max length...

I'm sure I could get away with that. I definitely do them more than is required...

TBH the frequency I do them is mostly just part of my routine and it helps pass the hours pass... Definitely not done out of necessity after only 2-3 shots.

[Warrigul]

I'm sure I could get away with that. I definitely do them more than is required...

TBH the frequency I do them is mostly just part of my routine and it helps pass the hours pass... Definitely not done out of necessity after only 2-3 shots.

When it comes to reloading for myself I am VERY lazy and get away with the least amount of work necessary.

[Lorgar]

I used to be massively OCD with every bit of of reloading.

1,000 rounds later and I was totally over that