Comments on: Smart Reloading: How to Set Optimal Case Neck Tension

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 23:57:21 +0000

Neck bushings work well for me. Sometimes I don’t guess the correct size initially. They do reduce working of the neck. I have added neck bushings to three full length dies. With a batch of similar cases, neck tension is very consistent

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 14:16:07 +0000

I’ve asked Redding to add custom sized expander balls to work in junction with bushing dies to better control neck tension from the inside of the case and without the need for neck turning.

But unfortunately they we not receptive and that is unfortunate.

By: Mikecr

Mikecr — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 10:22:12 +0000

A neck sized down to 3thou under cal will simply be sized back up to 1thou under with bullet seating. You’re just using a bullet as an expander. Same with a neck sized to 10thou under, makes no difference. [Editor: See note — we disagree.]

You need to understand that tension is no more than spring back against an area of seated bullet. Spring back is 1thou max, so excess interference beyond that does nothing to the end function.

Editor: We are not 100% sure what the poster is saying, but with most brass necking down 3 or 4 thousandths WILL have different grip on the bullet vs. neck-ding down just 1 thousandths. And the difference in “grip” will also vary on the neck thickness (and with annealing and with other factors). There is MORE involved than springback. Short-range benchrest guys have known this for decades.

By: Michael C

Michael C — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 23:57:17 +0000

Would you say that I be 3 thousands also applies to service rifles? My loaded and fired are pretty far apart in neck size.