Neck Sizing for Hunting

cooper31 · September 9, 2012, 10:02 AM

I am starting to work up some loads for deer hunting. I am using a Remington 722 in 257 Roberts. I see that the reloading manuals do not recommend neck sizing for hunting. At one time I used a Lyman Tru-Line Jr to reload and I am pretty sure that unit neck re-sized. I never experienced any difficulty then. I am using mostly RCBS Equipment now. I am wondering, that because The 722 is bolt action rather than a pump or automatic, there would not be a problem. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

mikejonestkd · September 9, 2012, 10:24 AM

You should be fine with neck resizing only for a bolt rifle as long as they chamber fine - without any extra pressure from closing the action. if they are a bit tight then you might run into a problem in the field.
Test your hunting reloads in your rifle, they need to chamber smoothly in order to be considered suitable for hunting.

603Country · September 9, 2012, 11:56 AM

I just have bolt guns, and I can't remember the last time I full length resized a case for hunting purposes. All I do is neck size (and partial resize for one caliber) and I have never had a problem in 30 years. But I only hunt things that won't trample, gore, or eat me. If I did hunt things that might terminate me, I'd most likely full length resize.

Tuzo · September 9, 2012, 12:28 PM

After fire forming .30-06, .243, and .223 in my bolt guns all I do is neck size. But to be safe, each case is either test chambered in the respective rifle or checked with a Wilson case gauge. Only one .223 case out of a few hundred failed.

No concerns for using neck sized cases for hunting except if you feel more confident with full length sizing.

cooper31 · September 9, 2012, 01:50 PM

Thank you for the replies. They confirm my thinking on the subject. When I grew up, deer were not in my area of WV. I went back to my home farm and killed my first deer last year. I am 81 years old, and blessed with good health, and am planning another hunt this year.

Brian Pfleuger · September 9, 2012, 01:59 PM

I have bolt actions and single-shots, I only neck size for all my rounds, hunting or otherwise. Occasionally, I notice slight resistance in extracting a fired round. That one gets treated to a Redding body/shoulder bump die next time around.

Gster · September 9, 2012, 02:01 PM

Good for you and congrats on your first deer. I hope I'm still shooting deer when I'm 80. All I do is neck size with the Lee collet dies and have never had a problem. Good luck this year!

September 9, 2012, 10:02 AM	#1
cooper31 Junior Member Join Date: July 2, 2009 Posts: 3	Neck Sizing for Hunting I am starting to work up some loads for deer hunting. I am using a Remington 722 in 257 Roberts. I see that the reloading manuals do not recommend neck sizing for hunting. At one time I used a Lyman Tru-Line Jr to reload and I am pretty sure that unit neck re-sized. I never experienced any difficulty then. I am using mostly RCBS Equipment now. I am wondering, that because The 722 is bolt action rather than a pump or automatic, there would not be a problem. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

September 9, 2012, 10:24 AM	#2
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	You should be fine with neck resizing only for a bolt rifle as long as they chamber fine - without any extra pressure from closing the action. if they are a bit tight then you might run into a problem in the field. Test your hunting reloads in your rifle, they need to chamber smoothly in order to be considered suitable for hunting. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

September 9, 2012, 01:50 PM	#5
cooper31 Junior Member Join Date: July 2, 2009 Posts: 3	Thank You Thank you for the replies. They confirm my thinking on the subject. When I grew up, deer were not in my area of WV. I went back to my home farm and killed my first deer last year. I am 81 years old, and blessed with good health, and am planning another hunt this year.

September 9, 2012, 01:59 PM	#6
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I have bolt actions and single-shots, I only neck size for all my rounds, hunting or otherwise. Occasionally, I notice slight resistance in extracting a fired round. That one gets treated to a Redding body/shoulder bump die next time around. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

September 9, 2012, 02:01 PM	#7
Gster Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: N.central Pa. Posts: 302	Good for you and congrats on your first deer. I hope I'm still shooting deer when I'm 80. All I do is neck size with the Lee collet dies and have never had a problem. Good luck this year! __________________ Gun control means: Being able to hit what you are shooting at.

September 9, 2012, 11:56 AM	#3
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,996	I just have bolt guns, and I can't remember the last time I full length resized a case for hunting purposes. All I do is neck size (and partial resize for one caliber) and I have never had a problem in 30 years. But I only hunt things that won't trample, gore, or eat me. If I did hunt things that might terminate me, I'd most likely full length resize.

September 9, 2012, 12:28 PM	#4
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	After fire forming .30-06, .243, and .223 in my bolt guns all I do is neck size. But to be safe, each case is either test chambered in the respective rifle or checked with a Wilson case gauge. Only one .223 case out of a few hundred failed. No concerns for using neck sized cases for hunting except if you feel more confident with full length sizing.

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