FL or N? Which does you do?

How do you size your fired brass?

  • I full-length size my fired case.

    Votes: 26 66.7%

  • I neck size my fired case.

    Votes: 6 15.4%

  • I'm Chuck Norris and just glare until it's the right size.

    Votes: 7 17.9%
  • Total voters
    39
  • Poll closed .
P

Pond James Pond

New member
Let's restrict this to bolt actions as I understand that semi-autos are more likely to require full-length resizing by default.

I am interested in what bolt-gun reloaders choose to do for their fired brass.

So on the one hand we have full-length resizing. It needs lube that requires cleaning off but can be used to set the chambered round headspace clearance to a point where the brass barely flexes in the confines of the chamber thus extending brass life.

(disclaimer: there may be other benefits/costs that I know nothing about. :o)

On the other hand, neck-szing means that the case keeps it's fire-formed shape thus more closely resembling the chamber's own dimensions which, after a few shots, means a case is essentially a custom fit for the chamber. This can mean the brass barely flexes in the confines of the chamber thus extending brass life.

(disclaimer: there may be other benefits/costs that I know nothing about. :o)

Overall, I find it hard to see where one clearly out-does the other.

For what it is worth I full-length size fire brass, and only neck-size when I've had to pull bullets. When I first started out I used to neck-size. I've only recently learnt how to properly adjust my dies to have that magic 0.002" headspace clearance.

If you do both, then surely you must have a favourite. We all have favourites.
 
Neither, so I went with the Chuck Norris answer.:D
I use a full length die backed off to match the chamber. Its called "partial full length resizing" & it has some of the advantages of both.
 
Man, Wogpotter, ol Bart B isn't playing with us anymore, but I bet he's watching and grinding his teeth when you used that word "Partial". He hates that thought of Partial FL Resizing. I'm laughing. Come on back Bart! We miss you.
 
I do both

Some way or another, it seems to me, the "partial full length sizing" has been played up for more than it is worth. At the present time, the 222 Remington requires "partial full length sizing." The .204 Ruger doesn't, and neck sizing is adequate.
 
Well, based on the thread everyone does both and so I feel left out.

Based on the poll we should call the CDC as we seem to be having a outbreak of Chuck Norrises.
 
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Man, Wogpotter, ol Bart B isn't playing with us anymore, but I bet he's watching and grinding his teeth when you used that word "Partial". He hates that thought of Partial FL Resizing. I'm laughing. Come on back Bart! We miss you.
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I determine the length of the chamber from the shoulder to the bolt face in thousandths. My presses and dies have threads, threads make my dies adjustable. I understand minimum length/full length sized, I can measure the die and shell holders ability to return a case to minimum length. I find the biggest component that has the most to offer is a case that is too long from the shoulder to the case head to chamber/allow the bolt to close. Again, my dies and press have threads.

F. Guffey
 
I don't own any bench rifles, all are either sporter or tactical models. I've tried neck sizing for most of my rifles and to tell the truth I can't see any improvement in group size. For that reason I full length size.
 
Full length resizing is better for more precision according to Bart B. and other benchrest shooters. With my hunting rifles I really cant see an overwhelming advantage to either, but when Im in 20 degree weather and that old buck steps out into the open, I know I can rely on full length resized cases to get the job done.
 
Each to their own, So with that said. I have tried them all. I have made full circle now and am back to FL sizing. While my F Class rig is single feed anyhow so feeding is not an issue, the Accuracy was my concern. FL sizing was more accurate in the long run. Everyone will have to decide for themselfes what works best for them. On a side note- I did send my dies in with 5 fired rounds to Forster and had them custom hone my die.
 
Well since we're talking about him . I FL size because BartB said to ( really ) . How ever that may not be true . Now I do make hard contact with cam over but I use a +4 or +6 competition shell holder so I'm not sure If that is "partial" FL sizing:rolleyes: or just FL sizing . I do know It's not neck sizing only :).
 
Sizing -FL vs neck.

My testing showed FL is more accurate when comparing standard dies. Redding FL type S bushing die, is even better. Tested with Remington 40X in 243 Win.
 
Metal, in my view Partial Resizing isn't the same as Partial FL Resizing, though I used to say it was to irritate BartB. Partial Resizing, which I used to do a lot of, would be to run the case in the die enough to size about half to 2/3 of the neck and none of the rest of the case. It's just a form of neck sizing. That works fine on tapered cases, like the 270 and 220, which is all I used to shoot. The problem you may run into when you try it with a non-tapered case, is that the die will touch the case at the sides near the shoulder and cause the shoulder to move forward, then causing resistance to chambering. Partial FL Resizing, in my view, is to run the case into the die just enough to resize the case and yet bump the shoulder back 'just enough but not too much". It's the 'just enough but not too much' that differs significantly from rifle to rifle, case to case, and die to die. Too roomy of a chamber and too tight of a die could lead to FL over-resizing and eventual case head separations. The reverse, a snug match chamber and a roomy die could make it difficult to size the case enough to allow it to chamber easily. My 220 Swift meets the latter conditions.

Ideally, a fellow will determine if he has the roomy or snug chamber and die and resize accordingly to resize 'enough' for his specific rifle chamber.
 
Partial FL Resizing, in my view, is to run the case into the die just enough to resize the case and yet bump the shoulder back 'just enough but not too much". It's the 'just enough but not too much' that differs significantly from rifle to rifle, case to case, and die to die.
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Then there are those that send their dies with fired cases off ???:eek:, for the lack of a better term, the land of OZ.

Then there are reloaders that have no clue about the difference between the chamber and die, adding a gage like the L.E. Wilson case gage even complicate things even more. I am the fan of something between my chamber and case, my favorite thing? Is air. I want air between my chamber and case, how much? Not a lot, very little in fact, or is that supposed to be 'actually'?

The factors involved between full length sizing and neck sizing are factors I can deal with. Years ago I was accused of, or should say it was suggested I was involved in some very risky stuff. I did not agree, I used more air between the chamber and case.

F. Guffey
 
Mr Guffey, I think you have little use for the Wilson gauge. Neither do I. It's handy to have (I guess), but it doesn't really tell me much that I need to know when it comes time to fit a case to a chamber.
 
I always used the actual chamber for a gauge! After all its a perfect match for itself isn't it?:)

Smudge the neck & shoulder & tighten the F/L (backed off a full turn from ram contact) die slowly 1/2 the amount you think is perfect till you just & I mean just get a full ring round the case at the contact point, Voila! your case is darn near perfectly matched to the chamber with perhaps a 1/1000" extra clearance for easy chambering.
smudge%20done_zpsz4vwluku.jpg

To me the advantage of partial full length is the consistency. If you only neck size with a neck sizing die you'll have to eventually do a F/L resize & that is a change which doesn't happen with the technique I'm describing.
 
Back in the mid "70's" many of us experimented in benchrest shooting with "zero necks". This was done by turning the OD of the necks to a depth that we wanted the bullet seated to. Then after fireforming that step left on the outside of the neck would be transferred to the inside. From there the bullets would only need to be hand seated with no cartridge sizing at all.
After much testing although the groups were very good but weren't good enough.
 
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