Whats the difference?

eon_shift · April 18, 2007, 09:59 PM

I've been reading some of the posts on the forum and i dont understand the difference between full length resizing and neck resizing.

steve4102 · April 18, 2007, 10:15 PM

Full Length sizing is when the entire case from top to bottom is resized. Neck sizing is when only the part of the case that holds the bullet (the Neck) is resized and the case body is left alone to better fit your chamber. I do not know what "Normal" sizing is.

Bullet94 · April 18, 2007, 10:17 PM

There are 3 kinds of sizing dies.

1 - Full-length - Sizes the case body and neck
2 - Neck - Sizes the neck only
3 - Body - Sizes the body only

eon_shift · April 18, 2007, 10:33 PM

ok thanks but when do i know to do either one and what tools would i use

rgitzlaff · April 18, 2007, 10:46 PM

When you are in doubt, full length size. For more accurate rounds you can size just the neck, leaving the body a closer fit with the chamber. You can only do that when the fired case will be used in the same weapon again, another chamber may not fit it. And neck sizing should not be used with semi-auto weapons. I learned that the hard way. Worked fine in my AR for a couple loadings then every case started sticking in the chamber and would not extract.

jamaica · April 19, 2007, 12:07 AM

Unless otherwise specified, sizing dies bought in a set are full length sizing dies. With these you can full length size by sending the brass all the way in until the shellholder hits the die, or neck size by backing it off until, with the press fully extended, there is a gap between the die and shell holder. Maybe 1/32 inch. The tapered part of a rifle casing won't be sized until the last part of the stroke simply because it is tapered.

If you are shooting a bolt action and all your brass has been fired in your rifle, neck sizing may work fine for you. Neck size some and see if they chamber OK before loading them.

If you neck size, your loads may not work in other rifles besides the one that originally shot them because of minute differences in the actual size of the borings, and head space differences.

For some other types of actions it is recommended to always full length resize.

steelrat · April 19, 2007, 01:38 PM

So on my bolt action using brass fired from my rifle, for more accuracy, I would neck size rather than full length size?

Scorch · April 19, 2007, 02:28 PM

That's right. Bolt action, brass fired in your rifle, neck size for accuracy.

cdoc42 · April 19, 2007, 10:14 PM

I'm not convinced it adds accuracy but it certainly extends case life due to avoiding over expansion of the case in a large chamber following reduction of case size by full-length resizing.

joneb · April 19, 2007, 10:34 PM

Another cool thing about the neck size die is that no lube is required, although in some cases lubing the neck maybe of benifit.

Dave R · April 19, 2007, 11:26 PM

BTW, any full-length resizing die can be set to neck-size. Most instructions that come with dies explain how its done (basically, just back the die off a hair.)

You would still need to lube, though.

April 18, 2007, 09:59 PM	#1
eon_shift Member Join Date: April 16, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 22	Whats the difference? I've been reading some of the posts on the forum and i dont understand the difference between full length resizing and neck resizing. Last edited by eon_shift; April 18, 2007 at 10:33 PM.

April 19, 2007, 02:28 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	That's right. Bolt action, brass fired in your rifle, neck size for accuracy. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 18, 2007, 10:15 PM	#2
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,968	Full Length sizing is when the entire case from top to bottom is resized. Neck sizing is when only the part of the case that holds the bullet (the Neck) is resized and the case body is left alone to better fit your chamber. I do not know what "Normal" sizing is.

April 18, 2007, 10:17 PM	#3
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	There are 3 kinds of sizing dies. 1 - Full-length - Sizes the case body and neck 2 - Neck - Sizes the neck only 3 - Body - Sizes the body only

April 18, 2007, 10:33 PM	#4
eon_shift Member Join Date: April 16, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 22	ok thanks but when do i know to do either one and what tools would i use

April 18, 2007, 10:46 PM	#5
rgitzlaff Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2006 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 525	When you are in doubt, full length size. For more accurate rounds you can size just the neck, leaving the body a closer fit with the chamber. You can only do that when the fired case will be used in the same weapon again, another chamber may not fit it. And neck sizing should not be used with semi-auto weapons. I learned that the hard way. Worked fine in my AR for a couple loadings then every case started sticking in the chamber and would not extract.

April 19, 2007, 12:07 AM	#6
jamaica Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 705	Unless otherwise specified, sizing dies bought in a set are full length sizing dies. With these you can full length size by sending the brass all the way in until the shellholder hits the die, or neck size by backing it off until, with the press fully extended, there is a gap between the die and shell holder. Maybe 1/32 inch. The tapered part of a rifle casing won't be sized until the last part of the stroke simply because it is tapered. If you are shooting a bolt action and all your brass has been fired in your rifle, neck sizing may work fine for you. Neck size some and see if they chamber OK before loading them. If you neck size, your loads may not work in other rifles besides the one that originally shot them because of minute differences in the actual size of the borings, and head space differences. For some other types of actions it is recommended to always full length resize.

April 19, 2007, 01:38 PM	#7
steelrat Member Join Date: February 8, 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 66	So on my bolt action using brass fired from my rifle, for more accuracy, I would neck size rather than full length size?

April 19, 2007, 10:14 PM	#9
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,772	I'm not convinced it adds accuracy but it certainly extends case life due to avoiding over expansion of the case in a large chamber following reduction of case size by full-length resizing.

April 19, 2007, 10:34 PM	#10
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	Another cool thing about the neck size die is that no lube is required, although in some cases lubing the neck maybe of benifit.

April 19, 2007, 11:26 PM	#11
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	BTW, any full-length resizing die can be set to neck-size. Most instructions that come with dies explain how its done (basically, just back the die off a hair.) You would still need to lube, though.