I've always heard that you have to full-length resize for reliable operation of a semi-auto rifle. Since I don't have a full-size press, I only use new cases when I reload for my AR. I've been playing with some VLD bullets so I can shoot at longer ranges. They haven't done so well accuracy wise. I wanted to make one last attempt to see if I could shrink their group size by getting the bullet close to the lands. I didn't want to waste new cases so I reloaded in once-fired neck-sized only Remington brass and figured I shoot them single shot. When I got to the range, I forgot my plan and loaded the 6 cartridges into a magazine and sent them down range. I had no issues.

I didn't expect this outcome. Was this made possible because I have a chrome chamber so the cases didn't have a lot of friction with the chamber walls? Maybe my loads are on the lower side of pressure so the cases aren't stretched that much from the first firing? I'm about to reload them and fire a few for a third time and see how they do. For just target practice at the range, it would be nice to reuse my brass a couple of times.

Comments, ideas, cautions?

The problem isn't so much extraction as it is feeding. Full length resizing is recommended for semi-auto firearms to insure they feed without issue.

If you have a chrome chamber and are not trying to exceed light speed you will get away with just neck sizing. I bet that you will start to have feed problems in time though...

slimjim wrote:

ideas ?

Get a press !!!

How do you resize and reload without a press? Just curious. I reload for a bunch of semi-autos (rifles, handguns and shotguns) and resize for all of them. All the best...
Gil

Gil Martin wrote:

How do you resize and reload without a press?

I use Lee Classic loaders which only neck size. It was an inexpensive way to start reloading ($20 a cartridge). I don't use hammers at all or strike anything. I use my vise to press case into the die to resize the neck and my drill press for primer extraction/insertion and bullet insertion. The results have been satisfactory. I don't even size the neck on my 45-70. I have not felt a need to get a press for just neck sizing. When I look at what my other buddies have to do to resize to shoot their autoloaders (lubricate, size, clean, trim, etc), I just haven't gotten to the point where I want to make the investment in time, money, and space. With inexpensive brass like Remington and Winchester, they are only reloading twice (3 fires) before they dispose of it to avoid issues with case failure during a match. Hardly seems worth the cost and effort. I know Laupa brass can be reloaded reliably much more than that.

If you are satisfied with your results the way you are doing things now I guess there's no need to change. If you get more into the accuracy quest you will soon find that the effort (and time, money and space) you put into loading (which does include some rather pricey equipment) will have a definite effect on your results. The care that you put into loading shows itself on the target.

So far my accuracy focus has been on my bolt guns where I don't feel neck-sizing is a disadvantage or its at least arguable its not. I'm just beginning to explore accuracy in autoloaders.

Just cureous: what kind of accuracy can I expect when reloading for a Remington Woodmaster Model 742 in .280 Rem.? I cannot say I'm very pleased so far... so what's normal?

Aloys

I did a check of the Internet and people say your doing good if you shoot 1.5 to 3 MOA groups. Some shot better, some shoot worse. Also found "You may need to change the recoil spring under the forearm. They get weak with age. Note the position of the end screw and when you reassemble, put it in the same place. These rifles can be sensitive to how tight that screw is. Mine shoots sub inch with 15 Inch pounds of torque."

A lot of people seem to have problems with this gun. If you haven't yet, just wait. Here were a couple of informative sites.

www.lake-link.com/boar...dTypeID=20

box-family.com/hunting...el742.html

I'm struggeling with that thing everytime I get the right mood for almost 3 year now and to be honnest I still don't dare to take it out hunting. I use full length sizing, the cycling is no problem(altough I know hunters out here who rub their amno in a rag with a little tefflon oil before the hunt), but I expected accuracy like the old FN-belgian-made BAR... not the light ones! Since somebody discovered how much sugar was in a Coke, everybody seems to want something light but I'm not such a friend of plastic or aluminium on my guns...
My Woodmaster is old, but was never used. But I'll keep 1 eye on that spring next time I get motivated again...
on the other hand: your links don't sound very promishing.

Love my Browning A-bolt .30-06...1 5/8" three shot spread at 200 yards...

Just loaded up 15 more cases. 9 once-fired and 6 twice fired. I see how they do. It may be a couple of weeks before I get back to the range.

with a press There is alot more control over the entire process. I think you should look for used stuff.

fnuser wrote:

with a press There is a lot more control over the entire process.

fnuser, you caught my interest. If you only want to neck size, what additional control is provided?

I'm sorry that's not what I meant, You seem to be a guy that likes to tweak. fine tune. etc. I think eventually you will progress beyond the limits of your current process not just neck sizing instead of putting that money into more classic sets, there are body only dies, micrometer seaters, various types of crimp dies etc. but if you are satisfied with where you are by all means do not allow me to infect you with my ailment. Did I mention wildcats? And the point of small base die is for reliability, Sometimes we have to decide what is more important benchrest accuracy or function, and I don't mean under favorable conditions. imagine firing 600 rounds a day in your a.r. without a break to clean. This is what we are talking about not 20 or 50 rounds. This may be more serious then you are right now and I don't mean to be a downer, but that is the original intent behind the design. If all you are after is a little group I don't see anything wrong with tweaking. Maybe you will stumble onto a revolutionary process that has never been done before.