Full length resize- how often

hounddawg · January 2, 2012, 06:17 AM

I have some Lapua .308 cases that are coming up on their 5th time through my rifle and so far have done only neck sized other than before the first loading. I am annealed after shooting the 4th time but have yet to decap or size any of those until I get through shooting the entire batch just to keep them all on the same cycle. So far they are chambering just fine and are showing no stress signs. Just wondering when or if I ever need to do another full length resize. There has hardly been any case growth and they are all running about 2.002 - 2.004. I have not even trimmed them as of yet but think I will test out my new trimmer when it gets in to get them all down to the same length.

Roughedge · January 2, 2012, 07:48 AM

As long as they fit your gun you should be fine . If you have a case gauge check it with it and if it fits it's okay. I have some I have necked sized 8 to 10 time and it still looks good.

larzb93 · January 4, 2012, 12:50 PM

i usually don't do a full length unless i want to run the brass in a different rifle. there is no reason the case shouldn't fit like a glove.

hounddawg · January 4, 2012, 02:22 PM

thats what I thought, thanks guys for the reassurance.

Brian Pfleuger · January 4, 2012, 02:28 PM

They will eventually get tight and need to be fully resized. A Redding body die in conjuction with Lee collet neck dies is one of the best ways (if not the best) to get it done. This allows the shoulder to be moved just .001-.002 so it will fit again without over working the mouth (and possibly getting less concentric necks than the collet die will provide) with a conventional full-length die.

January 2, 2012, 06:17 AM	#1
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	Full length resize- how often I have some Lapua .308 cases that are coming up on their 5th time through my rifle and so far have done only neck sized other than before the first loading. I am annealed after shooting the 4th time but have yet to decap or size any of those until I get through shooting the entire batch just to keep them all on the same cycle. So far they are chambering just fine and are showing no stress signs. Just wondering when or if I ever need to do another full length resize. There has hardly been any case growth and they are all running about 2.002 - 2.004. I have not even trimmed them as of yet but think I will test out my new trimmer when it gets in to get them all down to the same length. __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

January 2, 2012, 07:48 AM	#2
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	As long as they fit your gun you should be fine . If you have a case gauge check it with it and if it fits it's okay. I have some I have necked sized 8 to 10 time and it still looks good. __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

January 4, 2012, 02:22 PM	#4
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	thats what I thought, thanks guys for the reassurance. __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

January 4, 2012, 02:28 PM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	They will eventually get tight and need to be fully resized. A Redding body die in conjuction with Lee collet neck dies is one of the best ways (if not the best) to get it done. This allows the shoulder to be moved just .001-.002 so it will fit again without over working the mouth (and possibly getting less concentric necks than the collet die will provide) with a conventional full-length die. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

January 4, 2012, 12:50 PM	#3
larzb93 Member Join Date: December 20, 2011 Location: North Western PA Posts: 53	i usually don't do a full length unless i want to run the brass in a different rifle. there is no reason the case shouldn't fit like a glove.