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Neck sizing

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Honkytonk View Drop Down
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    Posted: August 30 2018 at 7:49am
I got a chance to pick up a rcbs neck sizer for my .303B. Question. When neck sizing, do you still anneal?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2018 at 8:02am
Not needed the shoulder isn't worked with a N/S die. Eventually you'll have to F/L resize though, then you should anneal first.
You don't need to case lube either, but I dip my case necks in some moly powder anyway.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Honkytonk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2018 at 8:18am
Thanks Shamu!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ranch Dog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2018 at 4:23am
Originally posted by Shamu Shamu wrote:

Not needed the shoulder isn't worked with a N/S die. Eventually you'll have to F/L resize though, then you should anneal first.
You don't need to case lube either, but I dip my case necks in some moly powder anyway.
Same here. I use the Lee Collet die and as I need to return to a full length resize, I run them through my annealer.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2018 at 9:31am
I know I've probably said this before on another post, but I've not yet annealed .303 cases.  I typically neck size until there is resistance in locking the bolt (usually at least 10 firings), then F/L size.  Then neck size for another 8 to 10 times, and so on.  I'm sure I've resized some of my .303 brass 30 or more times.  The failure mode is always case head circumferential cracking; I've never had a split neck on any of the .303 brass. 
 
My experience in reloading .30-06 for the M1 is similar, although the case is always F/L sized (necessary for an auto loading rifle to ensure reliable feeding and mitigate the chances of an out of battery slamfire).  The case failure mode is always longitudinal neck cracks usually starting at the mouth of the case, but sometimes starting midway down the neck.  This year was the first time I annealed some of my .30-06 cases thinking that it might reduce the neck splits.  I've reloaded .30-06 cases over 30 times, maybe as much as 50 times, and then discard the case when the neck splits.  
 
What I would recommend is NOT to set up a F/L die to fully size the case to minimum dimensions from the die by screwing it all the way down until it makes contact with the she!! holder.  Back the die out of the press such that the case shoulder is just bumped back enough to be able to close the bolt without any resistance, about half a turn if I remember, but you will need to experiment on this with the rifle you are sizing the brass for.  A .303 F/L die will usually push the shoulder WAY back much more than it needs to be to get the case to headspace on the rim again. 
 
For my M1, I use a case gage for checking the headspace of the case after F/L sizing; and set up the die to size it between min/max length.  My loads are fairly mild, so this may minimize case stretching on firing. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2018 at 12:42pm
That (Partial full length resizing) is my preferred technique.


Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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