Rookie neck tension question

[huntoregon]

Hey guys I have dabbled at some very entry level reloading and I would like to improve my knowledge and abilities. I have enough knowledge to get myself in trouble and some basic equipment.

I am hoping to start reloading for a 7PRC rifle that is only used for hunting and recreation. I have never checked or set neck tension. I have always just used the basic RCBS full length sizing dies and wherever it left the neck I jammed my bullets in and away I went. I would like to buy a nice set of dies, so my question is should I buy a FL sizing die and also an expander mandrel and body to set the neck size? Im guessing you can take out the expander ball from the sizing die or buy them without?

 

[Rick Richard]

Redding FL Bushing dies are all I use. Plenty happy with that setup

 

[LRNut]

You will want to take out the expander ball if you are using a mandrel die (I love them for LR loads but don't bother with non-LR loads). FL dies work ok, but bushing dies give you a lot more flexibility.

 

[huntoregon]

Redding FL Bushing dies are all I use. Plenty happy with that setup

So does that bushing style die set the neck tension?

 

[coueskiller43]

I use FL dies and pull the expander stem. Run them trough a mandrel to expand the necks. I deprime with the Frankfort Arsenal hand held unit.

 

[huntoregon]

I use FL dies and pull the expander stem. Run them trough a mandrel to expand the necks. I deprime with the Frankfort Arsenal hand held unit.

Do you have a preference on FL dies? This method does not use a bushing does it?

 

[Rick Richard]

So does that bushing style die set the neck tension?

Yep based on the bushing size used.

 

[LRNut]

So does that bushing style die set the neck tension?

I use almost nothing but Redding bushing dies. They were designed to control neck tension, but I think mandrel dies make the job a bit easier; my SDs are lower using them.

 

[coueskiller43]

Do you have a preference on FL dies? This method does not use a bushing does it?

I don't use bushings. I mostly run Forster dies with micrometer seaters.

 

[huntoregon]

So I need to get a FL sizing die, a micrometer bullet seating die, and an expander die body and a mandrel/s

 

[coueskiller43]

If you don't want to run bushing dies that will do it. As with most things, there's more than one way to skin a cat. That's just the way I do it. The micrometer seating die is not necessary,
It's just nice to use.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Hey guys I have dabbled at some very entry level reloading and I would like to improve my knowledge and abilities. I have enough knowledge to get myself in trouble and some basic equipment.

I am hoping to start reloading for a 7PRC rifle that is only used for hunting and recreation. I have never checked or set neck tension. I have always just used the basic RCBS full length sizing dies and wherever it left the neck I jammed my bullets in and away I went. I would like to buy a nice set of dies, so my question is should I buy a FL sizing die and also an expander mandrel and body to set the neck size? Im guessing you can take out the expander ball from the sizing die or buy them without?

Just my 2 cents. Don't go and by any new Dies until you do a lot more research on the way you want to reload. If you buy something now and then find out you want to get something different, you will be spending a lot of money. We went from RCBS MatchMaster FL Dies with bushings and then Neck Turned all our Brass and used bushings to adjust Neck Tension. Then we went to Custom Whidden Dies (big $$$sss). So until you figure out what type of shooting you are going to do and what accuracy WAIT!. Reloading is a RABBIT HOLE (and money hole). Try to buy right the first time. There is an old and wise saying that reloaders know "Buy Once Cry Once". Try to learn that first!

 

[MarkInPA]

If you don't want to run bushing dies that will do it. As with most things, there's more than one way to skin a cat. That's just the way I do it. The micrometer seating die is not necessary,
It's just nice to use.

The micrometer top on the Redding and Forster dies is nice but, what I like more than anything is the way they seat the bullet. The bullet and cartridge are completely supported and aligned before the bullet seating begins. I'm not sure why the prices are listed so high in the image below. Just a week ago I purchased one of these for a .308 Winchester and I paid $166 with postage and taxes.

I'm also very fond of the Forster full length sizing dies. Especially with the option to have them honed to your own specifications.

 

[huntoregon]

Just my 2 cents. Don't go and by any new Dies until you do a lot more research on the way you want to reload. If you buy something now and then find out you want to get something different, you will be spending a lot of money. We went from RCBS MatchMaster FL Dies with bushings and then Neck Turned all our Brass and used bushings to adjust Neck Tension. Then we went to Custom Whidden Dies (big $$$sss). So until you figure out what type of shooting you are going to do and what accuracy WAIT!. Reloading is a RABBIT HOLE (and money hole). Try to buy right the first time. There is an old and wise saying that reloaders know "Buy Once Cry Once". Try to learn that first!

I know the only type of shooting I will be doing is hunting and practicing on steel for hunting. I do not want to turn necks so I figure sizing the neck from the inside with an expander is probably the way for me. My 7PRC already shoots great with factory ammo so I am hoping we can get a load dialed in to shoot even better. My son who was 16 at the time with not a ton of experience shot 1/2 MOA group at 700 yards with factory Hornady eld-x ammo. Maybe I won't be able to improve on that and I will end up just spending money for nothing???