Neck and Body Sizing

[ArtP]

For a 30-06 semi auto hunting rifle (BAR), could I neck size with a Lee collet die, then size with a Redding body die and achieve the same result as a complete full-length sizing and have reliable feeding?

Does the body die require lube?

Neck or body size first?

For bottleneck stuff, 'till now, I almost always exclusively neck size and am not a fan of expander balls and lube. This Browning is my first semi auto CF/bottleneck rifle.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, a body die will require lubricant.

I only use a body die occasionally. for a specific purpose and I size the body first and then the neck.

But I am not sure it really matters. I am sure others will chime that have more experience with body dies than I.

 

[higgite]

Neck or body size first?

This might help you decide if you're concerned with concentricity. Otherwise, I don't think it much matters.
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2010/04/reloading-two-step-sizing-and.html

 

[Walkalong]

Or you could try this Redding Type S Bushing FL sizer. I use one in .308 to load match ammo with, along with a Forster seater. It loads very straight ammo. (.0025 to .001 runout)

 

[ArtP]

I'm a big fan of Forster seaters and Lee collet neck sizers. That's my normal MO.

What I'm really looking to learn is if the combination of body and neck sizing achieves the same as a FL size.

Call me silly, but I find the action of forcing the expander ball out of a bottle neck case can cause problems and inconsistency with shoulders. But I'll admit I've not used a high end FL sizer. Probably because I don't FL size much except straight wall stuff with carbide.

 

[ArtP]

Walkalong,

I looked at the link and it sure is tempting to buy the Redding FL sizer and a Forster seater and call it good.

Do I understand the Midway description correctly that it comes with the standard or default neck bushing?

But I'll see if others have anything to share about the body die.

 

[Walkalong]

You have to order the neck bushing(s) you need.

Some folks like to neck size, then use the body die only when they need too. I was just showing an alternate way.

The combination of a neck sizer (Lee collet die in this case), and the Redding Body die for when cases get hard to chamber, will work just fine for what you want to do.

I chose the lazy route.

 

[USSR]

For a 30-06 semi auto hunting rifle (BAR), could I neck size with a Lee collet die, then size with a Redding body die and achieve the same result as a complete full-length sizing and have reliable feeding?

Yep. That's how I reload all my bottleneck cartridges, although I use a Redding bushing necksizing die.

Does the body die require lube?

Yep.

Neck or body size first?

I've often wondered if it makes any difference, although I always size the body first.

Don

 

[Walkalong]

I would second doing the body first as well.

 

[Blue68f100]

With the BAR being a simi-auto you will need to FL size. Most Browning's I have loaded for in the past needed a SB sizer for them to feed easily.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, it will give him trouble if he doesn't use the body die often enough.

The way I read it, I thought he was asking if he did this every time, would it work. It will, and would probably work if he used the body die every other time, but it would depend on how finicky the BAR is. I would use the setup I suggested for an auto, if he wanted to control neck sizing. The bushing style would give him more versatility than the Lee Colet die as far as neck tension goes. But then again, with an auto, he can't go too low on neck tension.

 

[USSR]

FWIW, Redding also makes SB body dies. I bought one in .308 for whenever I buy once-fired milsurp brass.

Don

 

[Fatelvis]

Just a tip:
If you are thinking of buying a Redding type "s" NECK SIZING die for your desired cartridge.....
Buy a NS bushing die for a short, fat cartridge instead! It will work equally as well as buying the exact cartridge die, and will allow you to use one die for many cartridges. The NS die only serves as sort of a "bushing holder", and choosing the shortest, fattest cartridge die allows the most flexibility. (I use a 7BR NS die for almost every cartridge I NS for).
One size fits many works for me!

 

[jb27]

I did quite a bit of testing with my .223 AR loading to try to find the best loading method. I tested full length sizing with RCBS full length die vs. full length sizing with Redding Type S Bushing die vs. neck sizing with Lee Collet die followed by Redding Body die. Using the Lee Collet die followed by the Redding Body die produced the most concentric rounds. When I tested these at the range, this also resulted in the best groups. I now load all my rifle rounds using the LCD/body die. Based on my readings, it is recommended to use the LCD followed by the body die. I had not previously read the article that is linked above, but it too mentions sizing in that order too to get best result. Recently I did similar die testing with Redding Type S bushing die vs LCD/Redding Body die in my 6mm BR and arrived at the same conclusion. I'd say go for it. With loading for a semi-auto, I believe you should use the body die every time.

 

[ArtP]

Thanks for your responses!

Yes, I had intended to body size every time and neck size.

I love the Lee collet dies. No lube, zero added runout, but no control over neck tension.

A couple years ago I took the expander ball out of a FL size die and found, using it that way, added zero runout, but it constricted the neck too much, so much it was overly difficult to correct the neck with a collet die. Having never used a body die, I'm hoping it's the same thing without touching the neck at all.

I want to go this route not because I need perfect concentricity, rather I find in my cheaper FL sizers, they work the brass a lot, even with a lot lube (probably deserve a polish too). I'd rather be gentler and do it in a two step process.

BTW: That's a great idea to use a large die, as in one size fits all, to control the necks in like diameter. I assume it doesn't need sidewall support.

 

[ArtP]

I don't know what a small base (SB) die is for. Anyone?

 

[Walkalong]

It's a hair tighter in the body area.

 

[jb27]

With the lee collet die you can dial in your desired neck tension with some work. You can order different sized mandrels and then hone them down to get the desired tension. Takes a little work but it's doable.

 

[kelbro]

A Redding S type full length bushing die doubles as a body die if you remove the bushing. You are going to have to lube anyway so go ahead and get a FL bushing die and you can control neck tension too with very little to no runout.