Can you get away with neck only sizing for a .223 AR?

Cupcake · July 1st, 2008, 11:20 AM

I'd like to try it, but if you tell me not to waste my time I won't.

cvhoss · July 1st, 2008, 01:42 PM

I wouldn't suggest trying it for the AR. In fact, I use small base dies when reloading for my ARs, though some may find this unnecessary. I neck size only for my bolt rifles if they are the only rifle I have in that caliber (300 Win Mag, 22-250, & 204 Ruger). The reason I limit neck sizing to rifles I only have one of in that caliber is that a round fired in one gun and neck sized may not fit in another gun. I learned this the hard way once when I had several hundred neck sized rounds for a 22-250 that I traded off for a new one and none of the rounds could be chambered in the new gun. In each rifle that I neck size for, the bolt force required to close the bolt is noticeably heavier than with rounds that are in virgin brass or have been full length resized. Since the AR (or any semi-auto for that matter) doesn't have the advantage of applying additional camming force to loading a round, I would not suggest neck sizing only for the AR.

Hoss

dukalmighty · July 1st, 2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvhoss

I wouldn't suggest trying it for the AR. In fact, I use small base dies when reloading for my ARs, though some may find this unnecessary. I neck size only for my bolt rifles if they are the only rifle I have in that caliber (300 Win Mag, 22-250, & 204 Ruger). The reason I limit neck sizing to rifles I only have one of in that caliber is that a round fired in one gun and neck sized may not fit in another gun. I learned this the hard way once when I had several hundred neck sized rounds for a 22-250 that I traded off for a new one and none of the rounds could be chambered in the new gun. In each rifle that I neck size for, the bolt force required to close the bolt is noticeably heavier than with rounds that are in virgin brass or have been full length resized. Since the AR (or any semi-auto for that matter) doesn't have the advantage of applying additional camming force to loading a round, I would not suggest neck sizing only for the AR.

Hoss

What he said,bolt actions can be closed with more force on bolt,semis can jam if the ammo is too snug

Cupcake · July 1st, 2008, 03:27 PM

Thank you, I can now move on to my next bad idea...

Ram Rod · July 1st, 2008, 10:48 PM

Don't feel bad. I'd probably ask the same question if I were to start reloading for my auto-loaders. I neck size only for three different calibers-bolt actions only for me. I just don't feel it would be feasible for my semi-autos as any accuracy improvement would be minimal. Accuracy is my main intent in reloading for rifle cartridges.

July 1st, 2008, 11:20 AM	#1
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,664	Can you get away with neck only sizing for a .223 AR? I'd like to try it, but if you tell me not to waste my time I won't. __________________ Stupidity is not a crime...so you are free to go.

July 1st, 2008, 01:42 PM	#2
cvhoss Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 802	I wouldn't suggest trying it for the AR. In fact, I use small base dies when reloading for my ARs, though some may find this unnecessary. I neck size only for my bolt rifles if they are the only rifle I have in that caliber (300 Win Mag, 22-250, & 204 Ruger). The reason I limit neck sizing to rifles I only have one of in that caliber is that a round fired in one gun and neck sized may not fit in another gun. I learned this the hard way once when I had several hundred neck sized rounds for a 22-250 that I traded off for a new one and none of the rounds could be chambered in the new gun. In each rifle that I neck size for, the bolt force required to close the bolt is noticeably heavier than with rounds that are in virgin brass or have been full length resized. Since the AR (or any semi-auto for that matter) doesn't have the advantage of applying additional camming force to loading a round, I would not suggest neck sizing only for the AR. Hoss __________________ I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was Kahr PM-9 / Sig P-245 / Para NiteHawg / Walther PPK / Beretta Tomcat / Ruger LCP BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 / Sig Sauer 239 SAS / Walther PPS .40 NRA Life Member My Web Site

July 1st, 2008, 03:27 PM	#4
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,664	Thank you, I can now move on to my next bad idea... __________________ Stupidity is not a crime...so you are free to go.

July 1st, 2008, 10:48 PM	#5
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 5,206	Don't feel bad. I'd probably ask the same question if I were to start reloading for my auto-loaders. I neck size only for three different calibers-bolt actions only for me. I just don't feel it would be feasible for my semi-autos as any accuracy improvement would be minimal. Accuracy is my main intent in reloading for rifle cartridges. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords

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