Who uses bushing sizing dies? What are you using for what brass?

[doktarZues]

I'm about to jump into bushing sizing for the first time. Everything I've been researching says take your loaded cartridges, measure the necks, subtract .001 (or so) - but that's basically where you start. I've seen other guidance that to be more precise you should measure the neck thickness, double that, add the bullet diameter .264, then subtract what neck tension you're targeting. The problem there is I'm getting wildly different readings when I do that. E.g. my loaded Hornady cartridges measure .290 at the neck, so for .001 neck tension I should use a .289, for .002 use a .288. If I use the other method, I'm measuring .0140 neck thickness so .0140(2) + .264 - .001 = .291 .. .002 seems to be a pretty big difference considering it's all about precision.

I feel pretty confident in my measurements, I've spent the last few hours meticulously measure and recording over 40 cases and they're all coming in between .0135 and .0145 but far and wide .0140 so that's the average.

So a couple of things- would appreciate any comments or guidance or clarifications on my understanding above. Also curious to hear from those with experiencing bushing sizing the 6.5g -- what neck tension are you targeting and that results in what bushing for which brass type? Thanks folks

[Javman]

I'm thinking of going the same route but seems I'm going to have to buy several different bushings as I also get different measurements on different factory ammo plus I'll be using them for my 6.5x55 also. So you need to consider tighter neck tension for an AR vs a bolt action.

[Mesa1978]

.288 - Hornady brass.

[A5BLASTER]

I use Redding bushing die but only with my bolt grendel. I won't put a neck sized case in my ar's.

Hornady=288 bushing
Starline=288 bushing

PPU= 287 bushing

[doktarZues]

I use Redding bushing die but only with my bolt grendel. I won't put a neck sized case in my ar's.

Hornady=288 bushing
Starline=288 bushing

PPU= 287 bushing

To be clear, I'm not neck-only sizing, I'm using a Redding S type bushing full sizing die which bumps the shoulder, wall, whole nine. So I don't think this is bad for ARs. I plan to shoot in both so I'm thinking .001ish in bolt and .002 - .003 in AR.

Mesa 1978: .288 that's for bolt or gas or both?

[Mesa1978]

To be clear, I'm not neck-only sizing, I'm using a Redding S type bushing full sizing die which bumps the shoulder, wall, whole nine. So I don't think this is bad for ARs. I plan to shoot in both so I'm thinking .001ish in bolt and .002 - .003 in AR.

Mesa 1978: .288 that's for bolt or gas or both?

Gas only. I have no bolt Grendels. I use a .292 in a FL resizer, Redding, for 6.5 Creedmoor bolt (TRG), .290 in a LR-308 6.5 Creedmoor gas gun, all Hornady brass.

[Javman]

So I've got some Fed 120 fusions factory ammo and measurements vary from .287-.290, PPU .287, .295 for my 6.5x55. With such a variance this is where Type S dies start adding up. Never ending for a gun loonie such as myself!

[biodsl]

NugginFutz shared a little chart a while back http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...post202647