The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 30, 2012, 08:09 PM   #1
603Country
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 6, 2011
Location: Thornton, Texas
Posts: 3,995
Resizing - FL, Partial, or Neck - early returns

When I started reloading some 30 odd years ago, I full length sized everything. Later, based on what I had read, I went to Partial Resizing. Later on I went to neck sizing. Due to some discussions on this forum and some info from competition shooters, I found myself wondering if maybe Neck Sizing wasn't the absolute best way to go. So...about a month ago I decided to play with some reloads and see what case sizing method worked best for my 223 (1 in 9 twist). I had a pound of Varget and I bought some 69 gr Sierra HPBT Match bullets. I had no reloading history with that bullet, so I started working up loads. Using neck sized cases, I found a load that worked pretty good, though not as good as I had hoped or expected (a bit smaller than an inch). I tried a few minor powder charge tweaks, but that didn't improve things much. Today's objective was just to find a good load that I could use as base data to compare other sizing methods to. I now had something usable, and I hadn't killed the whole day. Hmmm...I have time to try a few different things, so I partial resized the same cases and shot slightly better groups. Then I FL sized those same cases and shot much better groups. I didn't do any measuring of groups, but most definitely the FL sized cases shot better. I really wasn't expecting that. This is just some early data, and probably doesn't really count as data. On Sunday I'll get serious. I plan to shoot a bunch of ammo that is FL sized, Partial Resized, and Neck sized (same cases) and then when I have the results as to which method shot better, I'll then use that method on random headstamp cases that have been trimmed but not otherwise prepped and I'll see how that compares to the prepped cases. It'll take days, but I'm really interested in how this turns out. If I get any useful data that I think you might want to see, I'll put in this same thread.

I should mention that the neck sizing die is a Redding, but is not a bushing type die.
603Country is offline  
Old November 30, 2012, 10:00 PM   #2
rvdoc
Member
 
Join Date: September 20, 2009
Location: Grand Rapids, MN
Posts: 26
I am also interested in your findings. I wish I had the time to try this. Thanks for posting this and I will be watching for the results.
rvdoc is offline  
Old November 30, 2012, 11:41 PM   #3
loademwell
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 6, 2012
Posts: 164
WOW!!! Never expected that. I would have thought that the FL would have shot a tad bit worse. Very interested in knowing if what they say is true about neck size only. I read that it was more accurate, but how much more? Is it truly noticeable at a simple 200 yrd. shot?

thanks for doing this....
loademwell is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 06:42 AM   #4
jwrowland77
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 23, 2012
Location: Conway, Arkansas
Posts: 1,398
Pretty interested to see how this turns out since I FL size everything every time.
jwrowland77 is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 09:31 AM   #5
603Country
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 6, 2011
Location: Thornton, Texas
Posts: 3,995
There's been some debate on this subject on this forum as to what case sizing method gives the best accuracy, and I just decided that I'd run some tests of my own and see what happened. The little shooting that I've done so far really can't be considered part of the test since I was just looking for a good load with that bullet. And, as it stands, I really don't have a good enough load yet. I'll switch from Varget to the powder that shot so well behind my 65 grain Sierras (AA2230) and see how that goes. If I'm going to do this, I want an accurate load as a base for the test. I'm really interested in seeing how this comes out. I'm not sure how long this will take, but I'm not going to rush this. I'm retired and have plenty of time and my own 100 yard range.

And when the results are in, I'm not sure that it will prove much, since it's just one gun being shot by one guy using the reloading techniques of that one guy. And, the results might not even be conclusive. But, I want to know. And I"ll eventually take the testing results and try to apply them to another rifle (my most finicky rifle) and see if its accuracy improves.
603Country is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 09:37 AM   #6
jwrowland77
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 23, 2012
Location: Conway, Arkansas
Posts: 1,398
True but its still fairly interesting.

I just always figured if I load one way consistently, then I can adjust my sights/scope to that point and as long as I load the same way every time I should get the same results.

Saying all that though, I am interested in this to see if I might be over working my brass for no reason.
jwrowland77 is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 09:51 AM   #7
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
 
Join Date: June 25, 2008
Location: Austin, CO
Posts: 19,578
I'd really like to see the test done with a Lee collet neck die. Ordinary neck dies can pull the neck off center when the expander is pulled through. Adding a collet die to your test would compare it to both full-length and regular neck sizing.

Hey, you've got all the time and money right? Get it done!
__________________
Nobody plans to screw up their lives...
...they just don't plan not to.
-Andy Stanley
Brian Pfleuger is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 10:11 AM   #8
603Country
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 6, 2011
Location: Thornton, Texas
Posts: 3,995
Ok, Brian, I'll order a Lee Collet neck die. If I'm going to do this, I might as well do it right (to a point at least). I knew somebody would bring that up, which is why I mentioned that I didn't have a collet neck die. The truth is that, in addition to what I've already got scheduled, I've wondered just how much difference the collet die would make. I didn't want to spring for one of the real high dollar collet dies, but the Lee is pretty cheap (dollars, that is). Ok, I'm in.
603Country is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 10:13 AM   #9
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
 
Join Date: June 25, 2008
Location: Austin, CO
Posts: 19,578
Really?! Wow. That was easy.

I'd really like a Ferrari...
__________________
Nobody plans to screw up their lives...
...they just don't plan not to.
-Andy Stanley
Brian Pfleuger is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 10:29 AM   #10
Bart B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
Ah, yes, again the issue arises. . .full length sizing versus any other way.

Before I make further posts on this thread, I first want to know what the OP's accuracy objectives are. For example, consider these two scenarios with the same set of components (case, primer, powder and bullet):

One is, you shoot ten 5-shot groups testing your reloads made with process and tools in method A and the groups range from 1/10 moa to 8/10ths moa.

The other is, you shoot ten 5-shot groups testing your reloads made with process and tools in method B and the groups range from 1/10 moa to 5/10ths moa.

That's 50 shots testing both methods comprising different tools and methods. Statistically, an excellent test.

Which tool and process method meets your accuracy objectives?

Note this thread has a close relative at:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show....php?p=5306276

Last edited by Bart B.; December 1, 2012 at 11:01 AM.
Bart B. is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 10:39 AM   #11
F. Guffey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 18, 2008
Posts: 7,249
Again, I use versatile full length sizer dies, what is the difference between my versatile full length sizer dies and full length sizer dies purchases and use by all other reloaders? No, it is not threads, both my versatile and dies used by others have threads. I believe it is about how the die is used, I use the compassion tool to the press, the feeler gage, I use the feeler gage to adjust the die off the shell holder, I size cases in length from the head of the case to the shoulder and by doing so I control the length of the case from the head of the case to its shoulder, I can progressively increase the length of the case from minimum length/full length to infinity or a more practical field reject length, as with my M1917 Eddystone with the .016” added between the bolt face to the shoulder of the chamber, progressively increase in thousandths as in .000.

And, I use the feeler gage to verify the adjustment.

F. Guffey
F. Guffey is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 12:50 PM   #12
603Country
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 6, 2011
Location: Thornton, Texas
Posts: 3,995
No, Brian, you can't have a Ferrari (at least not from me). Mr Guffey, it sounds like you are partial resizing. BartB, yes this has been cussed and discussed prior to this, but this is something that I want to do just for me. Most of the reason is the difference between what I think (or did think) about case sizing and accuracy, versus my present thinking or wondering about it, which was modified by what you've said on the forum - it being best to just FL size. Undoubtedly you are far more qualified to say what works best, but I'm not the kind of guy that will just take somebody's word for it. I just have to see for myself. Just gotta. Plus that gives me a good reason to do a lot of shooting. Now maybe my gear won't allow me to come to a conclusion, leaving me with data that tells me nothing. But...what you've said in the past, combined with something that happened in some recent reloads for my 260, have shaken my belief in neck and partial resizing. I had some new 260 cases from Nosler. I prepped them, as I usually do, and decided to shoot them and fireform them and then neck them for later use. I loaded them up with my normal favorite load and shot some really great groups with what I consider to be a finicky rifle (real light, not floated or bedded). Then I took the newly fireformed cases and I COULD NOT shoot a group that was as good as the new cases had allowed. That shook my thinking up.

So now it's my desire (my personal need) to see what works best, or at least what's best for me. I'm going to use the same 50 cases (assuming that they last throughout the test) and shoot 5 shot groups with those cases resized in several ways until I think I have an answer. Unfortunately, the limitations of me and my rifle might cause me to come up with a lot of powder and bullets gone and no definitive answer. But...we'll see. And I'll order that collet die on Monday, if the local gunshop doesn't have one. I wonder what the final answer is going to be.

I'm not trying to prove anybody right or wrong, and I'm not trying to be argumentative. This is just one of those things that I need to work out for myself. I'm an engineer. I need data.
603Country is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 06:12 PM   #13
Bart B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
Engineer, check this data:

Nobody these days setting records in rifle matches uses Lee collet dies. They never ever did.

Full length bushing dies have been the thing to use for several years in benchrest and for decades in shoulder fired rifle matches.

And Sierra Bullets has been full length sizing all their cases used to test bullets for accuracy in benchrest quality rail guns with the very best match grade barrels with SAAMI spec chambers (or virtual copies thereof) and I doubt anyone shoots their stuff more accurate than they do.

Last edited by Bart B.; December 1, 2012 at 10:52 PM.
Bart B. is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 06:53 PM   #14
cw308
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
Posts: 3,863
I neck size only for years. Bolt action 308, fired formed cases hold the shape of the chamber. I also mark the cases with a marker to load into the die & chamber at the same position, which maybe overkill, just to keep everything consistent, I'm now trying partial neck sizing 1/8 down from the neck, my thinking is the case should be as close to the chamber for maximum accuracy, as long as the case can eject. Using RCBS neck die, nothing fancy. Just take your time,use the same make brass, some brass is thicker than others. uniform primer pockets, deburr flash hole, check case size, chamfer inside & out. Also try different primers & seat to bottom of pocket. It's fun to reload, trying to get the round as accurate as possible. Hope I helped in some way. Be safe Chris
cw308 is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 08:02 PM   #15
m&p45acp10+1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 3, 2009
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,930
I would suggest if using the collet die to also use the dead length seating die as well. It has made more of a difference in my groups than the sizing die did. Though I give a slight edge in group size to the collet die my a slight margin.

I tested seating dies using an RCBS seating die. With, and without crimp, and using the Lee dead length seating die. The seater made a 1/4 inch difference using five shot groups at 100 yards.
__________________
No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.
m&p45acp10+1 is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 08:28 PM   #16
chiefr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 27, 2010
Location: AR
Posts: 1,401
Everyone has their own opinions for ultimate accuracy as far as case prep.

I like uniform case lengths and strictly NSO. I prefer the Lee collet die for NSO. You get the added benefit of extended case life.
chiefr is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 08:37 PM   #17
603Country
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 6, 2011
Location: Thornton, Texas
Posts: 3,995
Ok Bart, you tell me what die to buy and I'll buy it. I have to admit that I'm not that fond of Lee equipment, and I haven't ordered anything yet. Maybe a Redding collet die is what I need. As for seating dies, I use Redding comp seating dies for most all calibers. All this shooting might take months, so I'll buy more bullets.

Tell me specifically what die I need and I will buy it and use it. Money isn't much of a problem unless you tell me that it's made in Switzerland by elves and only during a full moon, and made from Unobtainium.

No point in doing this if I don't do it to the point that I satisfy myself. And no matter what I do, somebody can say that "well, ya shoulda tried this...". And I still wonder if I'll get data that firmly suggests that one thing is better than the other things. And...I'm doing this at 100 yards, so that leaves me open for somebody to say "well, ya shoulda done it at 600 yards". There will always be somebody that isn't satisfied or convinced, and there's nothing that I'm going to do that will be forever regarded as the official and final answer, and that's fitting. I'm doing this for my own edification, though I will report what I find if it's worthy of being reported.
603Country is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 08:40 PM   #18
DASHZNT
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 13, 2012
Posts: 179
Get Dillon.. theyre the best!

DASHZNT
DASHZNT is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 08:53 PM   #19
HiBC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 13, 2006
Posts: 8,273
You never know all the variables that will cross paths.What you are learning for that rifle may not apply to another rifle.Still,you are a handloader seeking improvement,that is cool.

Wild guess,the full length resize is giving the clearance for your round to find its own center as it expands.Perhaps thetre is a touch of roundness or concentricity error in the chamber.A randomly indexed neck sized round may be placed in a bind,forcing the bullet to not enter the leade square and straight.

On partial sizing,1)check the case body taper on a cartridge drawing.Determine case taper per inch,included angle.

Now,how much do you back off the die? .050?Suppose total case taper is .010 per in,and you back off 1/20 of an in,the diametral change in the amount you size the brass would be .0005.Now,if you only back off .010 to not bump the shoulder,the diametral change is only .0001..Make a mark on a piece of flat ground steel with a sharpie and run a .0001 dial indicator over itto see how small .0001 is.

Point:Partial sizing has very little diametral effect on the brass sizing operation unless you have extreme case taper.

Partial sizing 2)Take a peeled bananna,put it in your fist.Squeeze.What happens to the bananna?So,sizing down the dia of a case without bumping the shoulder,what happens?The shoulder moves forward.IMO,it is best the shoulder gets some (just enough) bump to establish uniform,correct head clearance .That is my ideal for full length re-sizing
I can see no theoretical advantage to partial sizing,where the shoulder is uncontrolled.The diameter of the brass is sized the same for practical purposes,only the shoulder bump is omitted.

Some neck dies are "neck and bump " dies,which do restore the shoulder dim,but do not alter case body dia.
HiBC is online now  
Old December 1, 2012, 11:07 PM   #20
Bart B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
603country, I like your attitude. So get a Redding full length sizing die with a couple of bushings.

Redding's full length bushing dies are popular with virtually all centerfire rifle competitors as well as Sierra Bullets. Sometimes they'll get one made that matches their cases' dimensions more precicely but they still size down fired case bodies and set shoulders back about 1/1000th inch. They use bushings with diameters 1 to 2 thousandths smaller than a loaded round's neck diameter. I don't think that's needed unless you're shooting hand made bullets in 22 or 24 caliber barrels in short range benchrest. Even then I think it would be hard to see any difference.

Most any seating die will do a good job if the sized cases have straight necks that are not too much undersize for bullet diameters. And full length sizing dies without expander balls but instead bushings (or their neck sized to a bit smaller than loaded round case necks, just like bushings) have always made case necks straighter and better centered on bottleneck case shoulders because the case body is well supported when the neck' sized down and the shoulder's set back a bit. Neck only sizing dies cannont do this and never will.

I've said this before and here it is again. Sometimes, neck only sizing will shoot just as tiny groups as full length size cases. Benchresters learned this years ago. But most interesing is what happened to the largest test or competition groups they fired; they got smaller. Less "fliers" or "wild" shots. Aggregate scores are based on average group size across several from small to large. If the largest groups are smaller, the aggregate winning numbers are smaller. They miss their aiming point not as much as they did with all sorts of neck only sizing.
Bart B. is offline  
Old December 1, 2012, 11:25 PM   #21
603Country
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 6, 2011
Location: Thornton, Texas
Posts: 3,995
Bart, I'll order the die on Monday. I'm really looking forward to this. I'm doing the testing with the 223, but the final result will be eventually applied to the 260 and the 270 and maybe the 220 (which shoots so great already). All this is your fault, you know. You got me to thinking and to questioning what I was doing and how, and now it's gonna cost me money. Oh, well...it's all in the name of research.
603Country is offline  
Old December 2, 2012, 07:43 AM   #22
steve4102
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 23, 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,949
I have done similar testing in a few different rifles. One item you may be over looking is Bullet Runout, not neck runout, Bullet Runout. Different sizing dies can cause varying degrees of Runout. This may affect accuracy more than the sizing itself.

When I did my tests I Neck sized all the cases the same with the Lee Collet die. Then I FL and PFL sized with the Redding Body die. Only ammo with .001 or less Bullet runout was used for testing.

Carry on.
steve4102 is offline  
Old December 2, 2012, 08:05 AM   #23
Bart B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
Steve, you say he may be over looking Bullet Runout, not neck runout. Bullets typically align well with necks. Neck runout's typically less that bullet runout when measured the same way because the measurements on bullets is further away from the runout tool's reference points.

What's your concern?
Bart B. is offline  
Old December 2, 2012, 08:42 AM   #24
steve4102
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 23, 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,949
Quote:
What's your concern?
Neck runout is done on the outside of the case. The bullet is on the inside of the case. If the case is not perfectly uniform all the way around then measuring neck concentricity may give a false reading. When measuring neck concentricity it's best to use brass that has been neck turned.
steve4102 is offline  
Old December 2, 2012, 09:53 AM   #25
603Country
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 6, 2011
Location: Thornton, Texas
Posts: 3,995
The necks will be turned (are already turned). For this little test of mine, I'll be using Nosler cases that have been neck turned, primer pockets reamed, weight sorted, and the flash holes have been cleaned up. Once I've decided on the specific load to shoot, which hasn't been done yet, I'll be:
- Full length sizing them and shooting 5 groups of 5
- Partial resizing them and the 5 of 5
- Neck sizing with Redding non-bushing and the 5 of 5
- FL sizing with the new (not yet acquired) Redding FL bushing die and 5 of 5

If 5 groups of 5 don't give me enough info for a decision, I may ramp up to 10 groups of 5. I'll need more bullets.

All shooting at 100 yards, because that's how long my range is (actually 107 yards, but hey...)

Then, because somebody said that prepping cases didn't matter at all, I'm going to load and shoot some random headstamp cases I have that are not prepped at all. I haven't decided what die to use on those cases. It'll either be the std FL die (Hornady) or the new Redding FL bushing die.

I'll be ignoring bullet or neck runout. I don't have the gear and am not going to order it.

This is all about me personally finding out (if I can) which method of case resizing works best for accuracy. It's understood that there are limitations, chief among them being the shooter (me) and the rifle (Ruger Hawkeye Stainless/synthetic). But except for the competition guys, those limitations are the same ones that most all of us have.

I've been reloading and shooting for 30 odd years, and I have accumulated a long list of preconceived notions about what makes for good accuracy. BartB and a couple of others have disturbed (in a good way) my thinking about those preconceived notions. I think that's good, but now that I'm not sure about the things that I used to be so sure about, I need to determine for myself how, using equipment available today, to shoot my best. There will be no attempt by me to convince you of anything. I'm doing this for me because I am extremely interested in what I'm going to find out. I will share this with the forum if there's anything worthwhile to share. And if all I get from this is confused, I'll share that with you too.
603Country is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.09148 seconds with 10 queries