Full length resize or neck size only for y'all long range hunters?

[hmbleservant]

I'm stumped. I don't want to reinvent the wheel...so...what's everyone doing?

 

[X-man]

I'm stumped. I don't want to reinvent the wheel...so...what's everyone doing?

Full length.
Bump the shoulder 1-2 thou.

Some neck size, but there is no advantage other than not having to use lube. Ultimately you will have to full length size every few firings anyway.

 

[COBrad]

I neck size for my bolt guns until the cases get snug, then I bump the shoulder back .002. Saves a step in the reloading process.
I size about 80% on the neck, and leave the last bit unsized to center the round in the chamber.

 

[Greyfox]

I neck size for my bolt guns until the cases get snug, then I bump the shoulder back .002. Saves a step in the reloading process.
I size about 80% on the neck, and leave the last bit unsized to center the round in the chamber.

+1. I will check to make sure all rounds fit before a hunt by running them through the chamber.

 

[J E Custom]

I neck size for my bolt guns until the cases get snug, then I bump the shoulder back .002. Saves a step in the reloading process.
I size about 80% on the neck, and leave the last bit unsized to center the round in the chamber.

+1

This helps with accuracy because of brass to chamber fit, and extends brass life.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Beluebow]

Full length resize everytime bumping shoulder back 1-2 thou.IMO fl sizing if done correctly will make more uniform cases and less runout.

 

[Aldon]

I neck size for my bolt guns until the cases get snug, then I bump the shoulder back .002. Saves a step in the reloading process.
I size about 80% on the neck, and leave the last bit unsized to center the round in the chamber.

+1

or +3

But it is also rifle dependent. In some of my factory rifles, I get better results doing as Beluebow does.

Depends on how well the chamber is reamed.

 

[Shoot 708]

Neck size to increase life of the brass!

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I neck size for my bolt guns until the cases get snug, then I bump the shoulder back .002. Saves a step in the reloading process.
I size about 80% on the neck, and leave the last bit unsized to center the round in the chamber.

How does it save a step?

Full length resize everytime bumping shoulder back 1-2 thou.IMO fl sizing if done correctly will make more uniform cases and less runout.

I have used the neck size method and I find less runout with FL sizing. I size them just enough to fit the chamber with an easy bolt lock.

 

[COBrad]

Well, it saves a step in my routine. For an accurate bolt action I use a bushing type neck die and a body, or shoulder bump die, then seat with a competition seating die.

I have a couple custom guns and a Cooper that are accurate enough to make use of bench rest quality reloads. The 7 mag I use for long range varmints utilizes a tight neck chamber and run out of my neck sized reloads averaged .001 the last time I measured.
Like wise I use neck turned brass on my Cooper 22-250, to keep neck variation within .0005. My elk rifle is another custom built by Kirby Allen. I am using Norma brass that has been sorted for neck thickness variation of .001.

I find there is no point getting real picky with bench rest type reloading technique on the average factory rifle, as they do not shoot well enough anyway. On these rifles, as well as my AR's, I use a FL die set to move the shoulder back a couple thou.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Well, it saves a step in my routine. For an accurate bolt action I use a bushing type neck die and a body, or shoulder bump die, then seat with a competition seating die.

I have a couple custom guns and a Cooper that are accurate enough to make use of bench rest quality reloads. The 7 mag I use for long range varmints utilizes a tight neck chamber and run out of my neck sized reloads averaged .001 the last time I measured.
Like wise I use neck turned brass on my Cooper 22-250, to keep neck variation within .0005. My elk rifle is another custom built by Kirby Allen. I am using Norma brass that has been sorted for neck thickness variation of .001.

I find there is no point getting real picky with bench rest type reloading technique on the average factory rifle, as they do not shoot well enough anyway. On these rifles, as well as my AR's, I use a FL die set to move the shoulder back a couple thou.

I'm no BR guy but I've read a lot of BR guys have adopted FL sizing. I switched back to FL for consistency and because I didn't think a 2 step sizing process (neck and bumping with body die) was conducive to good concentricity. Didn't have a runout gauge early on but when I got one I found my runout was down to less than .001 when I FL sized and lubed the inside of my necks. With 300 RUM brass I was bushing neck sizing and found I had to body size each time after about 3 firings. That didn't make sense (2 step process) so I went to FL sizing and was really pleased with the results.

Some of my best groups came from a Sendero 25-06 in which I did almost nothing with the brass other than clean the pockets and FL size with a Forster sizing die and seat with a Forster BR Comp die. I got a few 2's and a lot of 3's and 4's.

I've got a couple sets of custom bushing FL sizing dies coming for a couple of semi custom builds. The plan is to bushing size the necks 1-2 thou smaller than the expander and use the expander to push any irregularity outside - no turning. I'll have about 2-3 thou neck clearance in the chamber.

 

[varmintH8R]

I use a body die (bump 2 thou) and follow up with a bushing neck die. No real obvious value vs FL/bushing sizing. It's just how I do it, what I am comfortable with, and it works for me.

 

[COBrad]

I'm not a BR guy either, but I have had a few BR rifles for LR varmint shooting. I've read quite a bit and messed with a lot of tools and techniques. Seems like a good shooting rifle will shoot, but one that doesn't want to won't. I've actually become less particular about making every detail just right, but there are some things I have learned that I still use.
If FL sizing can make my reloads more accurate, I'll use it. I haven't invented anything myself, just learned from others who have.
At this point the easiest, quickest way to make accurate ammo is the one I want to use.

 

[varmintH8R]

Seems like a good shooting rifle will shoot, but one that doesn't want to won't.

So true. Plus I just can't get fired up trying to get my 3.5 MOA Ruger to break into sub- 3's

My shooters, however, deserve every chance to improve and I enjoy trying to find their sweet spots.