Body die….
Preparing new cases
- Thread starter freid
- Start date
kenbro
Well-Known Member
That’s what I do…. but are you FL sizing a case if you don’t touch the neck?
Or, does a neck die FL size the case, but doesn’t touch the body?
KB.
kenbro
Well-Known Member
For my shooting…plinking and informal target shooting at the range, plus some hunting, I mainly use new brass as is.
I have some Norma that I’m saving for special occasions and after inspecting it I won’t be sizing before loading.
Some new PPU in 222 and 223 has very rough case mouths and I’ve been cleaning these up inside and out, no sizing.
If I thought my new cases needed sizing before use I would neck size only.
The necks could be out of spec either way (Under/Over size) but case bodies would only be too small for a chamber so what’s the point sizing the body?
KB.
I have some Norma that I’m saving for special occasions and after inspecting it I won’t be sizing before loading.
Some new PPU in 222 and 223 has very rough case mouths and I’ve been cleaning these up inside and out, no sizing.
If I thought my new cases needed sizing before use I would neck size only.
The necks could be out of spec either way (Under/Over size) but case bodies would only be too small for a chamber so what’s the point sizing the body?
KB.
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
I think you have it right in your post. It's not usually necessary to F/L size NEW brass, but I do so.
New brass is always at SAAMI/CIP dimensions so it chambers in ANY rifle of that cartridge/calibre.
Once new brass is fired in your rifle it should be fire-formed to your chamber & THEN F/L resizing should be to your fired case headspace dimension as you mentioned, thereby not overworking your brass. The case shoulders only need to be bumped back max .002" & the loaded cartridge should then slide into the chamber & bolt lock down easily.
You can adjust your sizing die the way you suggest until you have it set just right. A Hornady headspace tool is an easy way of determining headspace & setting your die accordingly.
The important thing is re-sizing to your chamber & NOT the die instruction settings will extend case life as you're not overworking the brass. Also, annealing cases after each 3 firings helps extend case life.
Others anneal after each firing, but I view that as too frequent & unnecessary.
Good luck
New brass is always at SAAMI/CIP dimensions so it chambers in ANY rifle of that cartridge/calibre.
Once new brass is fired in your rifle it should be fire-formed to your chamber & THEN F/L resizing should be to your fired case headspace dimension as you mentioned, thereby not overworking your brass. The case shoulders only need to be bumped back max .002" & the loaded cartridge should then slide into the chamber & bolt lock down easily.
You can adjust your sizing die the way you suggest until you have it set just right. A Hornady headspace tool is an easy way of determining headspace & setting your die accordingly.
The important thing is re-sizing to your chamber & NOT the die instruction settings will extend case life as you're not overworking the brass. Also, annealing cases after each 3 firings helps extend case life.
Others anneal after each firing, but I view that as too frequent & unnecessary.
Good luck
I just load and shoot.
Then neck size after that.
Seems to work out to 900y plinking. If I was into high level comps I'd use new brass for training, then neck sized for comps.
I keep my deer stalking to sensible ranges, so it the odd 10th of an inch makes no difference.
Then neck size after that.
Seems to work out to 900y plinking. If I was into high level comps I'd use new brass for training, then neck sized for comps.
I keep my deer stalking to sensible ranges, so it the odd 10th of an inch makes no difference.
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