Partial Full Length Sizing New Brass

[Parashooter]

. . .The simplest way I know is to put the brass in a drill using a trim holder (LEE trimmer shell holders work excellent for this). Rotate the brass slowly and heat the neck and shoulder area carefully using a butane torch until the brass starts to change color (remember, never to blue or glowing!). Then I just drop them into a metal bowl and let 'em cool. I've been doing it this way for years! . . .

My way is still simpler (as am I). Just hold case in fingers. If you smell meat cooking, you're getting 'em too hot! :-[

[Clcustom1911]

Paul, how often do you anneal? After how many firings, typically? My brass is still pretty new, but I'm thinking ahead. I keep my loads as light as I can. No reason to beat up my rifle or my shoulder.

I do molten salt bath annealing via the " Ballistic Recreations " setup. Salt bath consists of 60% Sodium nitrate and 40% potassium nitrate in a Lee lead melter pot and a steel jig to hold the brass pieces at the correct depth in the liquid hot magma...er... Salt bath :)

Heat to 950*f immerse the neck/shoulder for 7-8 seconds. Pull out, toss into water bucket (beware of steam popping).

I anneal every firing on rifle brass designated for long range accuracy (7mm RemMag and 6.5 creedmoor). Anneal every 3rd firing for other rifle brass.

[Griff557]

I have partially 'neck sized' new brass in loading it for the first time, with good results.

I did check to make sure the partially sized cases would fit into the Krag's chamber and allow the bolt to close.

I also trim case length with a Lee .30-40 case trimmer, before loading. This makes for nice uniformity and precise Case Mouths.

I often neck-size my Krag Brass using a Lee Collet Die for 7.5mm Swiss. This only Sizes part of the Neck and is very easy on the Brass. (No pull of an 'expander-ball' through the sized neck).

I use a Lee collet die for my .303 British with good results. I also load 7.5 Swiss but I full length size them and have thought about getting a collet die instead. I emailed Lee today asking if the 7.5 die would work for the Krag and they told me no. So iam wondering how youre doing or what kinda results you get

[butlersrangers]

'Griff557' - Howdy!

I suspect the person at "Lee" did not understand that you meant 'Neck-Sizing' and not 'Full-Length Sizing' and did not give your question the consideration it deserved.

To answer your question, I took a Fired W-W .30-40 Cartridge Case, that has been fired several times. (The inside diameter of the 'fired' case-neck measured .310").

I put it in my .30-40 shell-holder and ran it into my 7.5mm Swiss Collet-Die. The Die was adjusted to De-cap the .30-40 Case, (no lube was needed).
There was no 'ball' pulling through the sized case-neck on the way out of the Die.

Most of the Case-Neck was reformed & the Case was de-capped. The rest of the Case Body made no contact with the Die. (The inside diameter of the Neck now measured .3055" to .306"). The Case-Mouth has a slight 'bell' to aid bullet seating. Easy Peasy!

I took a new W-W Case and 'smoked' the Neck in a candle flame. I ran that case into the Swiss Collet-Die with the same result.

Attached photo shows 'Die Action' (rub spots) on slightly tarnished 'Fired Case', Die Marks on 'Smoked Case', and recently loaded 'Neck-Sized' Case, (180 grain RN Sierra - OAL 3.086").

p.s. - I am blessed that my neck-sized ammo fits most of my Krag chambers, regardless of which one it was fired in.

Note - The photo makes the two 'empty' case-necks look larger than the loaded case. This is an illusion.