The primary objective of most reloaders is to achieve maximum accuracy with their handloads. To learn from experienced shooters and avoid repeating mistakes, many reloader enthusiasts observe how others reload their brass. A common question among reloaders is whether to Neck Size (NK) or Full Length (FL) resize their cases. While neck sizing used to be popular for reducing chamber clearance and extending case life, most benchrest shooters now prefer FL resizing as it offers little to no advantages.

Neck sizing was once favored by target and varmint shooters who believed that tighter fitting loads in the chamber resulted in better accuracy. However, shooters who neck size eventually need to adjust the case shoulder to ensure reliable chambering. It’s important to note that even a clearance of .001″ can be significant, and having some clearance is beneficial.

Reloading equipment and techniques evolve with advancing technology. Nowadays, many benchrest shooters invest in expensive custom FL resizing dies tailored to their chambers, ensuring a perfect fit for their handloads. However, such custom dies may not be feasible or necessary for most reloaders.

Shooters who neck size are aware that their handloads may require increased force to close the bolt, which is undesirable. Ideally, handloads should chamber smoothly without any noticeable resistance. Neck-sized cases lack chamber clearance at the shoulder, and when they become tight, it indicates inconsistent resizing. Achieving near-zero case run-out is another consideration for quality handloads. However, forcing a tight round into the chamber can compromise concentricity. Therefore, why would one occasionally need to bump the shoulder just to improve case fit?

On the other hand, accurate full-length resizing is crucial for producing superior handloads. Bumping the shoulder by -.001″ to -.002″ at most is recommended, which necessitates measuring the clearance at the shoulder specific to your chamber—a straightforward process.

Proper use of an FL resizing die involves shoulder bumping, neck sizing, and slight resizing of the tapered body while fully supporting the case. This results in perfect concentricity within a single die. When executed accurately, FL resizing yields improved accuracy, extended case life, and reliable chambering. So, how can you achieve precise resizing with a standard FL resizing die?

Simply relying on case measurements is inadequate without measuring the clearance at the shoulder in your specific chamber. Accurate FL resizing entails having – .001″ to – .002″ shoulder clearance (no more). To achieve this, measure the clearance of your handloads in your rifle chamber, allowing you to precisely adjust your FL resizing die—similar to expensive custom benchrest dies. In one operation, your FL die can also resize the neck while fully supporting and aligning the case, reducing case run-out and ensuring a perfect fit when chambering.

Preserving a fired case is akin to having a precise mold of your chamber. By zeroing the gauge on the shoulder of a fired case, you calibrate it to your rifle. Replace the fired case with the first case during resizing, and the gauge displays the exact clearance at the shoulder for that specific chamber. This information enables you to adjust your Full Length resizing die accurately, creating perfectly fitting handloads.

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