Full length dies vs. neck sizing dies

Kermit

Kermit

New member
I'm preparing to purchase reloading dies for the .204 Ruger and the .222 Remington. I've reloaded handgun ammo for some time, but am new to rifle ammo. I'd appreciate hearing opinions about which is best. Full length dies or neck sizing dies? Why do prefer one over the other? Advice and opinions will be appreciated. Thanks.
 
If you are reloading for only one BOLT ACTION rifle in each caliber, then neck sizing is all that is necessary. In fact, neck sizing has advantages including longer case life and often better accuracy. If you are reloading for more than one firearm, or a type other than bolt action, then full length resizing is necessary. If you decide to neck size only, I highly recommend the Lee Collet neck sizing dies.
 
If you are shooting the relaods in the same rifle, then Neck sizing dies are definitly the way to go.

The cases will fit the chambers after firing and you only need to size the necks to hold the bullet.

If you full size, not only is it a LOT more work, but you have to deal with the mess of lubing the case bodies, then getting the lube off, plus the case life will be much shorter.
 
Start with the full length dies and adjust to fit your chamber. If you want to spring for the extra $$ the Redding Type S Full Length Bushing die will offer you the ability to bump the shoulder back to meet your chamber requirements and a selection of neck bushings to meet your chamber/loading requirements.
 
A friend who reloads says the neck sizing is the way to go as the cases are fire formed specifically for your rifle. I'll only be reloading for my rifle, and only have one in that caliber. He says neck sizing leads to more accurate ammo. Another question that comes to my mind now is about lubing the cases. I was under the impression that even when neck sizing you must lube the cases. Do you have to lube cases when neck sizing? I was planning on using one shot dry lube. If I don't have to mess with lubing cases that would be a joy. My handgun dies are all carbide and I don't have to screw with lube. To lube or not to lube...that is the question. How about it?
 
Neck sizing with the Lee collet neck sizing dies eliminates the need for lubing the casing. However, if you are using any type of neck sizing die that has an expander ball that gets dragged back out through the neck once the neck has been resized, then you should use a lubricant on the inside of the neck. Dry lubricant is less of a mess, but I still like to clean that out to make sure I have a consistent "grip" on the bullet and no dry lube left in the neck.

If you have a Redding Type S bushing style neck sizing die and are using the TiNi bushings or have carbide bushings and your bushing size is just slightly under your chamber neck size, you can probably get by without the expander ball and thus you won't have to lube the inside of the casing neck at all.

Even though you use your casings in the same rifle, you will probably find that you will have to full length resize your casings eventually. My epxerience with factory chambered rifles is that after about 4 or 5 firings, my casings need to have the casing body bumped or the shoulder bumped back just a wee bit to keep the casings from being difficult or impossible to chamber. It is not much fun when you take a shot in the field and cannot get the fired casing out of the chamber. Don't ask me how I know that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
I use full length dies and adjust them to size the neck only. I also use lube if I'm full or neck sizing. I have never used neck sizing dies so I don't know what is better. I just know what has worked for me.
 
I use neck sizers for several firings until I feel resistance on closing the bolt, then use full length for one sizing, then back to neck sizing. It really seems to extend the life of the brass.
 
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