To size or not to size

[SSChameleon]

I'm setting up to load 38spl. I've been reading about it and there appears to be three schools of thought on sizing 38spl brass.

First, size the full length of the case, bell the brass, seat bullet and crimp.
Second, size only the length of the case where the bullet will sit, bell the bras, seat bullet and crimp.
Third, don't size anything, bell the brass, seat the bullet and crimp.

The argument for not sizing is that it works the brass less so there is less fatigue and it's faster. I've read that skipping the sizing step will result in a looser grip on the bullet and cause the bullet to unseat under recoil.

What do you reloading gurus have to say?

[SA Friday]

Full length resize. There's in no advantage to a partial resize of a pistol cartridge, and there are huge disadvantages. The primary disadvantage is trying to load the partially resized cartridge back into the cylinder. Also, the pressure by 38 special isn't as as destructive as the higher pressure cartridges.

[spqrzilla]

I've never seen anyone credible suggest partial sizing or non-sizing for any centerfire pistol ammunition reloading.

Neck sizing has some useful applications in some specific kinds of target shooting rifle calibers but its benefits are exaggerated in practice. The only time I really do neck sizing is solely in military surplus rifles in .303 British because those chambers are notoriously sloppy and case failures happen quickly with full length sizing.

[sabot_round]

Full length resize. There's in no advantage to a partial resize of a pistol cartridge, and there are huge disadvantages. The primary disadvantage is trying to load the partially resized cartridge back into the cylinder. Also, the pressure by 38 special isn't as as destructive as the higher pressure cartridges.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^
I have nothing else to add!!

[SSChameleon]

Thank you guys for the responses. I just finnished resizing some brass. Now it's onto belling and crimping.

[Zombie Steve]

Thank you guys for the responses. I just finnished resizing some brass. Now it's onto belling and crimping.

I neck size bolt action rifle brass that isn't going into any other guns but my bolt gun. Everything else gets full length sized.

On to belling and crimping - don't overdo it, and don't overdo it.

[spongejosh]

Related but also not really related question. I shoot my wylde chamber AR at distance. I pick up my own brass and I'm planning to start reloading soon. Since it is all "my" spent brass and I don't dump magazines through the rifle can I get away with neck sizing?

I imagine if I just neck size like a bolt rifle and keep my OAL under the max I shouldn't have too many problems since the brass is from my chamber. Am I way off here?

[Hoser]

Since it is all "my" spent brass and I don't dump magazines through the rifle can I get away with neck sizing?

Semi auto rifles dont work that way. You have to FL resize if you want your gun to run.

[TRnCO]

yip, what Hoser says is true. With an AR you have to full length resize because unlike a bolt gun where the brass is held in place during full ignition, the AR starts to pull the brass out of the barrel while there is still pressure which allows the brass to stretch more than if the round were held in the chamber.

[spqrzilla]

spongejosh, neck sizing is really a more advanced technique that I don't recommend to people just starting out reloading. Full length resize until you get experience successfully reloading for your AR.

Then later, if you want, you can experiment with neck sizing (although I think you'll find it unsuccessful in an AR ) but I doubt you'll really notice a gain worth the trouble. Most of the time, people who start recommending neck sizing to others really aren't doing them a service.