The headspace conversation every bolt gun owner should have

[MrVee]

Fire formed brass fits your chamber perfectly. Resizing it all the way back to spec every time is correct on paper but it shortens case life and changes what your rifle actually likes. If the brass is staying with one rifle, neck sizing is worth thinking about and at least understanding.

 

[Samie]

Well… you’ve got a point, but full-length sizing every time is still the safer baseline when brass is getting mixed or used across more than one rifle.

 

[Alan]

Fire formed brass is telling you exactly what your chamber wants, full sizing just ignores that conversation.

 

[Chipz]

I found that out the hard way, I was always chasing what I thought were perfect specs instead of paying attention to what my rifle actually preferred.

 

[jglenn]

And yet most all benchrest and long range shooters full length size these days. Lots of youtube vids on this. Just saying . do what works for you..

 

[Brucer41]

Back in my days of pressing them out I stayed with pistol cases only. I did load .30 carbine for a Ruger in .30 and LOTS of 9mm for a Brit Sten as it ate ammo like it was free. I didn't have many rifles back then but had a boatload of pistols. Doing straight wall cartridges was a snap.

 

[Engineer1911]

If your unit of measure for rifle brass by caliber is clean 1-gallon milk jugs, then case life is not an issue. Pickup brass, tumble, anneal necks, resize, trim to length, reload 5 times, and discard. My current component inventory exceeds my "shooting life expectancy". Current goal is to reduce estate sale inventory.

Shoulder surgery / joint replacement does reduce center fire rifle ammo consumption.

 

[Brucer41]

If your unit of measure for rifle brass by caliber is clean 1-gallon milk jugs, then case life is not an issue. Pickup brass, tumble, anneal necks, resize, trim to length, reload 5 times, and discard. My current component inventory exceeds my "shooting life expectancy". Current goal is to reduce estate sale inventory.

Shoulder surgery / joint replacement does reduce center fire rifle ammo consumption.

That was my method of reloading back in the day. I was in San Diego and there were many outdoor areas that you could gather a few thousand cases in a few hours and keep your feedstock amply stocked. Of course inspection was a must as not knowing their prior usage made checking them carefully was a chore. Instead of milk jugs I had the 100 round plastic cases by caliber and boy did I have stacks and stacks of those things lol.

Going to have my own shoulder surgery / joint replacement later this summer, early fall. It has cut out all inventory reduction now.