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Posted: 4/2/2013 3:38:27 PM EDT
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Whats the best method for neck sizing brass? Are the Lee collet dies best, or do I just back off a FL die so it doesn't touch the shoulder? Any other gotchas I should know about? Looking for the wisdom of the experts here.
Background: So I've now got about 100 cases that have been fired through my new Savage 10 FCP-SR .308. I want to get the most accurate load I can for this rifle. I've got a Lee collet die, but the cap broke on my very first case, so now I'm trying to figure out how to do this right as I wait for the replacement cap to arrive. |
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The Lee Collet dies work very well and have a pretty devoted following. Another excellent option is Bushing neck sizing dies from Redding. You can argue the merits of either until you are blue in the face but it comes down to your technique, your standards, and your rifle to get the right answer.
I think the consensus among people reloading for tactical style bolt rifles has shifted away from Neck sizing in general and "partial neck sizing" (aka using a full length die but stopping just short of the shoulder) and toward using a full length sizing die and setting the shoulder back .002-.003" for reliable feeding and consistent sizing. One issue with the partial sizing is that the case can actually grow if you get to the point where the body is being sized at all but you aren't hitting the shoulder at all so chambering becomes less reliable. With regular neck sizing you will eventually get to the point where you cannot easily chamber them anymore and you need to full length size anyway. Also, German Salazar among others has demonstrated that neck sized cases are not a perfect match to your chamber as the theory goes. They will contract more in one area than another and actually come out just a hair banana shaped. Full length sizing with a minimum shoulder set back gives you reliable feeding and more consistent chambering. If you are reloading for benchrest or that sort of thing than you are even further out of my area of expertise than everything I just said so you'll have to wait for someone else on that. |
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