Dumb Die Question

M14 · June 28, 2007, 06:24 PM

This is something I've wondered about for years & finally I'll show my stupidity & ask.

I've read many times about adjusting FL resizing dies to only neck size. So why do they sell neck sizing dies as a separate item?

**Unclenick** · June 28, 2007, 06:38 PM

You can't push the case in all the way to the junction of the neck and the shoulder in a FL and still size only the neck. In point of fact, it can be a desirable state of affairs not to, since a slightly fat area at the back of the neck helps center the neck in the chamber. Some of the neck-size-only dies have special features, like the interchangeable sizing rings or the Lee collet dies that size around a mandrel and can't therefore, develop a "dreaded donut" of flowed brass at the neck and shoulder junction.

Nick

As an afterthought, I suppose some people with overly wide chambers are not be able even to neck size in an FL die.

mrawesome22 · June 28, 2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

As an afterthought, I suppose some people with overly wide chambers are not be able even to neck size in an FL die.

With my VLS chamber it is impossible to neck size only with FL dies. The web area starts getting sized before the neck even begins to get sized. This is exactly the area I don't want sized.

Linear Thinker · June 28, 2007, 09:50 PM

M14 - an excellent question.

Backing out a FL sizing die is a shortcut which allows partial neck sizing. It works better for some relatively straight-bodied cartridges, and for those that have been fired in tight chambers.

The benefit of a neck die is that it will size the whole neck allowing for proper bullet fit and tension, but will leave the shoulder and the web alone, allowing a proper fit of a cartridge in the chamber.

After a few firings, you may need to full-size the case anyway as the brass will keep on stretching and will become tight to chamber.
That's the reason you need both neck and FL dies.
LT

June 28, 2007, 06:24 PM	#1
M14 Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2006 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 110	Dumb Die Question This is something I've wondered about for years & finally I'll show my stupidity & ask. I've read many times about adjusting FL resizing dies to only neck size. So why do they sell neck sizing dies as a separate item? __________________ Strangers in the night exchanging tracers.

June 28, 2007, 06:38 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	You can't push the case in all the way to the junction of the neck and the shoulder in a FL and still size only the neck. In point of fact, it can be a desirable state of affairs not to, since a slightly fat area at the back of the neck helps center the neck in the chamber. Some of the neck-size-only dies have special features, like the interchangeable sizing rings or the Lee collet dies that size around a mandrel and can't therefore, develop a "dreaded donut" of flowed brass at the neck and shoulder junction. Nick As an afterthought, I suppose some people with overly wide chambers are not be able even to neck size in an FL die. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 28, 2007, 09:50 PM	#4
Linear Thinker Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Location: Blue State, NE US Posts: 202	M14 - an excellent question. Backing out a FL sizing die is a shortcut which allows partial neck sizing. It works better for some relatively straight-bodied cartridges, and for those that have been fired in tight chambers. The benefit of a neck die is that it will size the whole neck allowing for proper bullet fit and tension, but will leave the shoulder and the web alone, allowing a proper fit of a cartridge in the chamber. After a few firings, you may need to full-size the case anyway as the brass will keep on stretching and will become tight to chamber. That's the reason you need both neck and FL dies. LT