Body Sizing Die

wombat · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject: Body Sizing Die

Why & when would I want to use a Body Sizing Die over a regular FLS die (without the expander ball fitted)?

Yes, I know the Body Sizer won't do the neck & it will need to pass through a NKS die, but aside from that what's the point?

Cheers

steve4102 · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 38

That's a good question. I have a couple of Redding Body Dies, and here is what I use them for. I neck size with a Lee Collet Die. I have found that the Collet die produces very concentric brass compared to all my other types of neck dies. When it's time to bump the should back the body die works great. It sets the shoulder back without touching the neck and messing up my concentric brass. FL dies with expander buttons are not needed and can cause excessive runout.

wombat · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: Body Sizing Die

Thanks Steve. How are the Lee Collet Dies different to a regular (Redding) NKS Die?

K.W. · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Body Sizing Die

Hello wombat. My USA-language is so poor.... www.gunaccessiories.co...Collet.asp K.W. PS: Shitty, use Google : Lee Collet

steve4102 · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 38

The Lee Collet Die squeezes the neck around a mandrel. With a standard neck die the neck is usually undersized and then opened back up to the desired size with the expander button. Pulling or pushing the (off center) expander back through the neck is what causes excessive runout. With the Lee die there is no expander to pull through the brass, it is sized once around the mandrel.

www.midwayusa.com/epro...t=11082005

Jack · Member Joined: Oct 19, 2005 Posts: 98

You might use a body sizing die if you use a neck sizing die normally. You often find that after a few times using only the neck sizer, the case gets a little harder to chamber- then it's time to use the body sizing die.

dakota1 · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Body Sizing Die

To understand this:
You use the neck sizer every time, and only use the body sizer when needed? I know this will be dependant on how hot you load, but what should I approximately expect (shots per body sizing)?

Caliber is .270 winchester.
IMR 4350 55 GR
Speer 130 gr boattail

Thanks.

Jack · Member Joined: Oct 19, 2005 Posts: 98

"You use the neck sizer every time, and only use the body sizer when needed? "
Yes, exactly.
I can't tell you how often to use the body die, there are too many variables. Go by feel- when you feel some resistance chambering a reloaded round, maybe more than usual, use the body die.

wombat · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Body Sizing Die

Jack, I take it as read that you're also trimming each time you reload?

Jack · Member Joined: Oct 19, 2005 Posts: 98

Wombat, I don't trim cases each time I reload- it's not necessary, IME.
In most rifle calibers, trimming 2 or 3 times in the life of the case is all that's needed.
For example, trim all your cases when you buy them, to assure they are all the same length. Then, you may need/want to trim them after the 3rd or 4th reload, and again after the 7th or 8th reload. After that, the next time they need trimming, I discard the cases.
Now, the frequency they need trimming can vary by caliber, hardness of brass, how they are sized, how hot you load, and on, and on, and on....
I will say, I randomly check several cases for length each time I reload them.