neck sizing only

matt.45 · February 9, 2001, 02:35 PM

I recently started reloading .243. In most of the manuals it states that if you only neck size it can make the round more accurate. Although it did seem to make a slight difference in the accuracy department; it takes a lot of force to close my bolt. Am i doing something wrong or is this normal for neck sizing only?

BBBBill · February 9, 2001, 04:04 PM

What rifle? If it is a Savage, I would say that is normal as their chambers run tight. Is the brass being returned to the same rifle or a different one? If you have more than one rifle, segregate the brass for each. You might also want to look at small base dies for any gun wit ha tight chamber. It made abig difference on my Savages. I can't speak to other rifles characteristics yet as I don't have enough experience with them.

WalterGAII · February 9, 2001, 04:20 PM

Matt:

You do understand that you only necksize brass that's been fired from the rifle for which you're necksizing?? Also, after you've necksized a few times, it will probably be necessary for you to use a F.L. sizer to bump the shoulder back to spec.

matt.45 · February 9, 2001, 04:23 PM

thanks it's a rem 700. the brass is once fired

Bogie · February 9, 2001, 04:35 PM

So, here's what you do...

If you can pull the firing pin stuff out of your bolt, do it. If you can't, order the tool from Sinclairintl.com. Trust me.

To "partial" FL size, screw your die into your press, but don't leave it up against the shellholder. Size a piece of brass, and see how the bolt handle feels. Still stiff? Screw the die in a little bit, and try again. When the bolt just BARELY resists being closed (with the innards out), you're there. Your brass won't grow a lot, and it'll always chamber easily. Set your lock ring on your die, and consider making a couple of reference scratches on your press/die (nail polish also works) to make sure you always use it the same way.

To neck size, get a good set of dies, such as the Reddings with the removable bushings, or the Lee collet dies, and get a body bump die for your caliber from Redding. You'll likely need to use it every so often as your brass expands and stiffens. I've NEVER had to body bump my .308 brass, and I've fired some stiff loads.

February 9, 2001, 02:35 PM	#1
matt.45 Member Join Date: February 9, 2001 Posts: 17	I recently started reloading .243. In most of the manuals it states that if you only neck size it can make the round more accurate. Although it did seem to make a slight difference in the accuracy department; it takes a lot of force to close my bolt. Am i doing something wrong or is this normal for neck sizing only?

February 9, 2001, 04:04 PM	#2
BBBBill Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 197	What rifle? If it is a Savage, I would say that is normal as their chambers run tight. Is the brass being returned to the same rifle or a different one? If you have more than one rifle, segregate the brass for each. You might also want to look at small base dies for any gun wit ha tight chamber. It made abig difference on my Savages. I can't speak to other rifles characteristics yet as I don't have enough experience with them.

February 9, 2001, 04:20 PM	#3
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	Matt: You do understand that you only necksize brass that's been fired from the rifle for which you're necksizing?? Also, after you've necksized a few times, it will probably be necessary for you to use a F.L. sizer to bump the shoulder back to spec.

February 9, 2001, 04:23 PM	#4
matt.45 Member Join Date: February 9, 2001 Posts: 17	thanks it's a rem 700. the brass is once fired

February 9, 2001, 04:35 PM	#5
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	So, here's what you do... If you can pull the firing pin stuff out of your bolt, do it. If you can't, order the tool from Sinclairintl.com. Trust me. To "partial" FL size, screw your die into your press, but don't leave it up against the shellholder. Size a piece of brass, and see how the bolt handle feels. Still stiff? Screw the die in a little bit, and try again. When the bolt just BARELY resists being closed (with the innards out), you're there. Your brass won't grow a lot, and it'll always chamber easily. Set your lock ring on your die, and consider making a couple of reference scratches on your press/die (nail polish also works) to make sure you always use it the same way. To neck size, get a good set of dies, such as the Reddings with the removable bushings, or the Lee collet dies, and get a body bump die for your caliber from Redding. You'll likely need to use it every so often as your brass expands and stiffens. I've NEVER had to body bump my .308 brass, and I've fired some stiff loads.