I have read in the reloading articles that you are not supposed to neck size for the 35 rem lever gun, but I've seen on the reloading forum where some of you do. Is this risky, or is is this something from the lawyers liability situation, or did I misinterpet something? I would appreciate some clarity as I do use collet dies on all my bolt rifles, as well as the factory crimp (all lee by the way).

Most of the folks discussing neck sizing only on lever gun cartridges most probably load them in singleshot or bolt action firearms. There may be a few that do it for their particular lever guns, will depend on the chamber of the particular rifle.

It isn't recommended to neck size only for pump, semi-auto or lever rifles because of possible tight chambering. In fact, some folks use Small Base dies that will reform the case back to factory tolerances to assure proper feed/functioning in these types of rifles.

You could try it for your particular rifle, but don't be surprised if it get balky and possibly jam before chambering completely.

5766

Like kdub said. Get a set of standard dies. I like the Lee dies with the factory crimp die. Neck sizing only can let a bullet push into the case in the type of magazine in a lever gun. I don't believe there would be a legal issue, just that I've seen some that didn't work well in lever guns.

Lots of folks say a good crimp emproves accuracy, been loading for a lot of years and all the bolt guns ammo gets seated in the case without a crimp. I also use Lee collet dies. Don't shoot those lever guns so ???

Only thing I crimp is pistol ammo so's it won't pull the bullet on recoil. Accuracy has never been a problem so can't comment on the crimp vs non crimp thing.

I've neck sized for my .35, before I had a full-length sizing die. If you're careful, you can size just the neck with a carbide .357 mag die.... don't need lube, either!

This works if you are using brass you fired in that gun, for a reload or two, maybe. I wouldn't likely do it with hunting ammo, but for testing loads at the range, not a problem.

Just be very careful to not let the die hit the shoulder of the case and push it back.

Same general comment regarding the Lee collet die..... you don't have to worry about shoulder coming back with that die, but at some point, your brass may not chamber anymore. Then you'll need a full-length sizing die.

It is just going to be totally gun-specific and you'd have to try it.

Whoa boy! Maybe I've been doing it wrong! :o I've been neck sizing only for my .35 Remington using only my Lee Classic Loader and have had no problems whatsover. Every round feeds in and out of my gun without the slightest problem. But then I don't have any brass that's been fired more than three times, either.

I read in my Moder Reloading Manual that I need to full length size for a lever action but I don't know why. If I have a good solid crimp I can't see why the bullet would be any more secure in a FL sized case instead of just a neck sized case.

I did full length size a particular lot of brass one time but I couldn't see any advantage to doing that and I thought one of the benefits of reloading was to use brass that had been fire formed to exactly fit my particular chamber. FL sizing would eliminate that advantage.

Well, don't do what I do. I'm just a beginner and don't really know what I'm doing. But all I can say is that I've been neck sizing only and so far I've had no problems.

:cool:

The .35 Remington is one of the lowest pressure centrefire rifle rounds loaded now, and I think you could get half a dozen or more reloads before you'd have to full length resize. However, I have my full length die backed off 1/32" and it always kisses the case body. Just lubing the case neck isn't enough.

Bye
Jack

I have read in the reloading articles that you are not supposed to neck size for the 35 rem lever gun, but I've seen on the reloading forum where some of you do. Is this risky, or is is this something from the lawyers liability situation, or did I misinterpet something? I would appreciate some clarity as I do use collet dies on all my bolt rifles, as well as the factory crimp (all lee by the way).

The only thing that you are risking is that you won't be able to chamber the cartridge when you need to. I use all three different Lee dies with my 35 Remingtons, the Pacesetter series (FL), Collet (NS), and Classic Loader (NS). I've never had any problems chambering a round from those sized with the Collet Die or the Loader but my personal preference is to use the Pacesetter set.