Anyone neck-size their rifle brass?

[xsquidgator]

I started an experiment with neck-sizing, hoping the claims I've heard about the brass lasting 10x longer might have some truth to them. So, yesterday my neck-sizing die arrived (a Redding) in 8mm Mauser.

The directions with the die were pretty scanty, not nearly like the detailed instructions that came with my Lee dies (all of my others, I simply bought this Redding b/c Lee doesn't seem to make an 8mm neck-sizing die). Anyway, I set it up last night and made my first batch of maybe 30 8mm Mauser rounds in some moderately-used brass that are neck-sized instead of full-length sized. They chamber just fine in my K98.

My sole interest is in squeezing out as much life out of my 8mm brass as possible, since it seems kinda pricey. (I'm actually pretty cheap and intend to shoot mostly homemade cast bullets at about 8 cents a round to cover powder and primers) Are there any 'gotchas' I should watch out for with neck sizing? I used case lube per the die instructions just like I would for full-length resizing, didn't have any problems. I also checked the case length but didn't have to trim any of these. Do neck-sized cases grow the same way full-length sized brass cases can, from the brass flowing up from the base of the cartridge over repeated sizings? Anything else? I liked this initial experience (if nothing else it's not nearly as much umph pulling the press handle on a neck-sizer die) and the whole reloading process seemed to go faster and easier. I understand that these neck-sized reloads will probably only be usable in the single rifle the cases were fired in, not a problem since I only have one K98. Anything else I should know?

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Do neck-sized cases grow the same way full-length sized brass cases can, from the brass flowing up from the base of the cartridge over repeated sizings? Anything else? I liked this initial experience (if nothing else it's not nearly as much umph pulling the press handle on a neck-sizer die) and the whole reloading process seemed to go faster and easier. I understand that these neck-sized reloads will probably only be usable in the single rifle the cases were fired in, not a problem since I only have one K98. Anything else I should know.

To answer your question I can only speak from my own experience.

The cases don't seen to lengthen because you not squeezing down the whole case, your simply bringing the neck to proper size.

They shouldn't grow with, I assume, your reduced loads with cast bullets.

As for the ease of the case to resize your only dealing with the neck.

Hope this helps.
RDH

 

[xsquidgator]

Woodsman,
Thanks for the info. I kind of thought that's the way it worked but it's nice to hear from someone who's done it.

 

[FM12]

I use and am pleased with the Lee Collet dies, for bolt action rifles. No lube amd loads accurate ammo.

 

[scrat]

neck sizing is awesome. your brass does last a lot longer. you will find you are spending a lot less time trimming brass. Same time quality of the ammo is still very good

 

[geocole]

I also use Lee neck sizing dies, for 30-06. After 10 rounds I FL resize and trim.
When I trim there is very little metal taken off. The brass will grow some but very little.
After 30 times using the brass I start over with new brass (just me) even though they still look OK.

 

[cmidkiff]

I neck size my .204 brass with an RCBS die set.

I've never had to trim the length, and I have shot the current set of brass about 20 times so far.

As a side benefit, in my rifle, neck sized ammo is _way_ more accurate than new brass with the exact same load.

Enjoy

 

[jhansman]

I neck size my fireformed .223 brass with Lee's collet neck sizer. Out of my Savage 12VLP I get sub-MOA groups consistently at 100 & 200 yds. Cannot remember the last time I full-sized this brass.

 

[xsquidgator]

Very nice to hear all this. Is there any downside to neck-sizing other than the rounds will probably only chamber in the bolt-action rifle that fired them? For bolt guns I'm starting to wonder why bother full-length sizing. Seems neck sizing gives longer case life, easier reloading operation, and maybe better accuracy too.

 

[jhansman]

Outside of the general metal fatigue that brass endures over its useful life that causes it to eventually become unusable, I can find no downside to necksizing. It is one of the reasons I chose and shoot a bolt gun. Were I to start using .223 in a semi-auto, that would begin a new process for me.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Neck Sizing...

Xsquidgator--

Very nice to hear all this. Is there any downside to neck-sizing other than the rounds will probably only chamber in the bolt-action rifle that fired them? For bolt guns I'm starting to wonder why bother full-length sizing. Seems neck sizing gives longer case life, easier reloading operation, and maybe better accuracy too.

You've about covered it. IMX, your conclusions are the same as mine. With high-pressure rounds (e.g. my .300WSM) the case stretches regardless, and after the 3rd neck-sized reloading the cases really require a hefty crank to close the bolt handle. Therefore with my .300 WSM cases, I expect to FL resize every 3 reloadings, and check for case length & trim as needed, every time. But this is hardly the case (pardon the pun) with your, or my, 8x57mm Mauser rounds.

Haven't been reloading 8mm that long myself, but have been neck-sizing-only my .30-'06 cases (a very similar round to the 8mm, both as to dimensions and chamber pressure) since forever, and have yet to need to FL resize the get the cases to chamber easily.

We're talking "in the same bolt-action rifle," here, in all instances. It should be noted that in both 8mm and '06, I load for accuracy, not for high velocity, therefore my chamber pressures are not extreme. The .300 WSM, by comparison, is extreme even in mild loadings. I don't expect my .300 WSM cases to last forever, but that's the price I pay for having what is essentially a .30-'06 on steroids.

BTW, I also use, and like very much, the Lee Collet Neck-sizing Dies. They produce very nice accuracy for me, and, I am sure, help prolong the life of my brass due to less working of the metal.

Enjoy shooting yr k98, and reloading for same!

 

[Bullet]

xsquidgator

You might try only resizing part of the case neck ( not all the way to the shoulder). Leave enough unsized neck to help center the case in the chamber.
How do you like the Redding die compared to the Lee dies?

 

[dagger dog]

Supposedly, the Lee Collet neck sizer does not work harden the brass, which according to Richard Lee occurs with other types of dies. Some "flow" of brass can occur in the neck area of the camber causing the need to trim this also work hardens the brass. The neck annealing of cases is another way around the problem. RCBS has their X dies which sizezs the brass but does not cause stretching, thus no work hardening.

I have used the Lee collet dies with great results, but if you wanted to neck size, with bushing type dies or by the old method of setting your full length dies only to size the neck, annealing is your ticket to over worked and hardened brass.

Some bench rest shooters anneal all their brass to give better bullet grip therefore better consistentcy.

 

[kennedy]

plus one for neck sizing only, for my rem 700 .308

 

[mek42]

Neck sizing should also be good for a contender single shot, right?

 

[Bullet]

Neck sizing should also be good for a contender single shot, right?

I’ve read that a Contender has some flex when fired and that neck sizing only, is not be recommended.
I believe you will probably be better off to partially full length resize, just bump the shoulder.

 

[joneb]

I neck size for my .308 Win target loads, I like that I don't need to lube the cases, and they require less trimming, But these loads are mid range, with hotter loads I full size, as little as possible

 

[KI.W.]

I have many Lee de luxe set in yellow cans. Thre is ordinary sitzing- and collet neck stzing dies. T/C Contender needs full sitzing with botle neck cases, but only kissing the sholder.

 

[xsquidgator]

How do you like the Redding die compared to the Lee dies?

So far so good, all the test rounds I made shot just fine. I have all Lee equipment except for an RCBS rangemaster 750 digital scale (which is excellent by the way) and this one Redding die. The Redding neck sizer die cost about as much as a complete set of Lee dies, but after using it I would say it's put together more robustly than my Lee dies. I like that it has some locking rings on it that secure things better than my Lee dies do.

I'm content with my Lee dies but it's nice to use higher-end stuff once in a while.

Question for anyone- are the Lee "collet dies" the same as "neck sizing" dies?

 

[Ol` Joe]

Question for anyone- are the Lee "collet dies" the same as "neck sizing" dies?

Lee Collet dies are neck sizing dies only.

 

[Bullet]

The Lee Collet neck sizing dies are not the same as other brands neck sizing dies. I believe Lee is the only one that uses a Collet die.

 

[moosehunt]

Only thing I'll add is that regardless of cool loads or hot loads, the time will come when you need to give the cases a pass through a FL die. The gun will tell you when--when they get hard to chamber. By the way, neck sizing means using the cartridges in one gun only. Also, if you will occasionally anneal the necks, you will reap the full value of increasing case life, and the annealling will help maintain a constant neck tension. Most of my stuff seems to call for a session through the FL die at somewhere between 5 and 7 reloads. That is when I anneal, also. Belted cases are notorious for short life, yet with neck sizing and annealling, I often get 15 loadings on .338 Win Mag cases, and none of them are light loads. If the expander doesn't feel the same coming out of each case, or if you notice variations in the resistance when seating bullets, then you need to anneal the necks.

 

[mek42]

Thank you for the T/C answers. I'll get to save some cash (and not worry about which brass for which barrel, rifle / pistol) as all I have is a full size die and a couple gallons of once fired LC 223 brass. I think that I will need to get a second cordless drill and charger to keep next to the reloading bench for primer pocket reaming... What was I saying about saving money?

 

[dennisH87]

I neck size for my .22-250 and it dramatically increased accuracy compared to full lentgh sized cases. as for lubeing i put some lube on the pad and just turn the necks into the pad so theres very little on the neck.

 

[kenjs1]

I ran into problem neck sizing - help

I have just started to "re-" load the once shot brass and it worked fine for my 270. I followed the instructions and brought the 6mm die down to contact - Question: am I bring ing the pin to contact and then one full turn or the shoulder of the die to contact before turning? The necks were completely messed up and I forget the term but it looks just the pictures the instructions show of a messed up cartridge where they are peeled back. I backed off the die a littel and it seemed to work but some of the necks did not get resized as the buillets were loose. By turning the die ever so slightly It seems to get proper but leaves me with zero confidence. What is my next step t omake sure I am getting properly sized necks?