Which neck sizing die?

Schmeisser · March 15, 2006, 01:42 PM

Most of my cases coming close to the end of their life cycle, I plan to invest in three sets of virgin brass (Lapua & RWS), each to be fired exclusively from one rifle (6.5x55, .308, 8x57 IS). As I don’t want to torture the cases with a FL sizing die, I'll grit my teeth and invest in three neck sizing dies, too.

So I did intensive research on the respective manufacturer websites and in this forum, but, alas, its search function has more puzzled than enlightened me. I want as much accuracy as a non-benchrester can wish to achieve and I want good quality equipment for the rest of my (shooting & hunting) life. Which neck sizing die would you recommend me to buy?

BTW: I am using an RCBS RC w/ competition dies.

Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

jclaude · March 15, 2006, 05:35 PM

I use RCBS. No complaints, and some of mine are over 30 years old.

MADISON · March 16, 2006, 08:43 AM

I go back to 1970 in reloading.
So far as I am concerned, neck sizing is BULL...
I have several neck sizing dies for bottle neck cases. Every time I use one, I CAN DROP THE BULLET IN BY HAND and it goes all the way down on the powder?

Here is some for what it's worth information....

Special NECK SIZING DIES
I E-Mailed RCBS on December 12, 2004 and received the following response on December 15, 2004.

From an old #8 Speer Reloading Manual. You and other equipment manufacturers sell special NECK SIZING dies. Does this still apply to your equipment?

Neck Sizing is the term applied to the process of sizing only the neck of a case, with a special die which doesn’t touch the shoulder or body of the case. Neck sizing does eliminate excessive working of the case shoulder and body but, also, may size the neck off-center and leave the body of the case too large to chamber. A better way to reduce excessive working of the case body and shoulder metal is to use a full length sizing die but, use it so it only sizes partially. To do this, the full length sizing die is backed out of the tool so that the shoulder is not touched by the die. This preserves the important head and shoulder dimension and still sizes the neck normally. The body of the case centers the neck in the die and is sized enough to make chambering fairly easy in a bolt action.
Back the die off at least 1/16th of an inch [About one complete turn.]
Many shooters adjust their dies so that only half of the neck is sized. This leaves enough tension to hold the bullet securely for target or varment shooting

The RCBS “Ask the Expert Forum’s response was:
Yes, the necksizers only size the neck of the cases. And yes, there can be run-out after necksizing as there is nothing to support the base of the case - it just sizes the neck. AS FOR PARTIAL SIZING -- Many of our customers choose to do this - but, it is trial and error and sometimes the chamber v.s. die fit does not allow the reloader to partial size - they will not chamber afterwards.

hivel37 · March 16, 2006, 10:25 AM

For my needs, I see no point in a neck-sizing die. Standard FL dies adjusted to size about 3/16" of the neck seems to work well.

The Lee Collet die also gives good results for me in 22H and 22-250.

Jim Watson · March 16, 2006, 10:39 AM

I am using a Redding Type S bushing die in .308. You pick the bushing diameter to give about a .002" force fit on YOUR bullets in YOUR brass so the brass is not sized way down and then expanded back out.

I have a RCBS neck size dies in .30-06 and can't see where it does much good except not to have to lube and delube the case. Still needs a little something inside and outside the neck, though,

I have a couple of those Lee collet thingies, the .223 is ok but the .308 did not work well for me.

March 15, 2006, 01:42 PM	#1
Schmeisser Member Join Date: November 14, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 52	Which neck sizing die? Most of my cases coming close to the end of their life cycle, I plan to invest in three sets of virgin brass (Lapua & RWS), each to be fired exclusively from one rifle (6.5x55, .308, 8x57 IS). As I don’t want to torture the cases with a FL sizing die, I'll grit my teeth and invest in three neck sizing dies, too. So I did intensive research on the respective manufacturer websites and in this forum, but, alas, its search function has more puzzled than enlightened me. I want as much accuracy as a non-benchrester can wish to achieve and I want good quality equipment for the rest of my (shooting & hunting) life. Which neck sizing die would you recommend me to buy? BTW: I am using an RCBS RC w/ competition dies. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

March 16, 2006, 08:43 AM	#3
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Which neck sizing die? I go back to 1970 in reloading. So far as I am concerned, neck sizing is BULL... I have several neck sizing dies for bottle neck cases. Every time I use one, I CAN DROP THE BULLET IN BY HAND and it goes all the way down on the powder? Here is some for what it's worth information.... Special NECK SIZING DIES I E-Mailed RCBS on December 12, 2004 and received the following response on December 15, 2004. From an old #8 Speer Reloading Manual. You and other equipment manufacturers sell special NECK SIZING dies. Does this still apply to your equipment? Neck Sizing is the term applied to the process of sizing only the neck of a case, with a special die which doesn’t touch the shoulder or body of the case. Neck sizing does eliminate excessive working of the case shoulder and body but, also, may size the neck off-center and leave the body of the case too large to chamber. A better way to reduce excessive working of the case body and shoulder metal is to use a full length sizing die but, use it so it only sizes partially. To do this, the full length sizing die is backed out of the tool so that the shoulder is not touched by the die. This preserves the important head and shoulder dimension and still sizes the neck normally. The body of the case centers the neck in the die and is sized enough to make chambering fairly easy in a bolt action. Back the die off at least 1/16th of an inch [About one complete turn.] Many shooters adjust their dies so that only half of the neck is sized. This leaves enough tension to hold the bullet securely for target or varment shooting The RCBS “Ask the Expert Forum’s response was: Yes, the necksizers only size the neck of the cases. And yes, there can be run-out after necksizing as there is nothing to support the base of the case - it just sizes the neck. AS FOR PARTIAL SIZING -- Many of our customers choose to do this - but, it is trial and error and sometimes the chamber v.s. die fit does not allow the reloader to partial size - they will not chamber afterwards.

March 15, 2006, 05:35 PM	#2
jclaude Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Coastal North Carolina Posts: 157	I use RCBS. No complaints, and some of mine are over 30 years old.

March 16, 2006, 10:25 AM	#4
hivel37 Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2004 Location: Hill Country Posts: 522	For my needs, I see no point in a neck-sizing die. Standard FL dies adjusted to size about 3/16" of the neck seems to work well. The Lee Collet die also gives good results for me in 22H and 22-250.

March 16, 2006, 10:39 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I am using a Redding Type S bushing die in .308. You pick the bushing diameter to give about a .002" force fit on YOUR bullets in YOUR brass so the brass is not sized way down and then expanded back out. I have a RCBS neck size dies in .30-06 and can't see where it does much good except not to have to lube and delube the case. Still needs a little something inside and outside the neck, though, I have a couple of those Lee collet thingies, the .223 is ok but the .308 did not work well for me.