Thanks for the overwhelming response to this video, as well as our other videos on The Real Gunsmith Channel! We appreciate your comments and questions. Due to the volume of the comments and questions, some which would take some time to answer, we just don’t have the time to respond to them all. However many of the questions will be answered in future videos. Our first priority is to our paying clients. Writing out long answers would take time away from that, and I won’t put them “on hold” to post long answers here. If you have questions about getting gun work done or a custom rifle built, contact us at randyselby@randyscustomrifles.com. I have a wide range of prices for custom rifles so even the “average Joe or Josephine” can get into a custom package, just as accurate as the higher end rifles. For our detractors, we appreciate your difference of opinion, too, but I stand by my decades of experience. To all of you, thanks again for your overwhelming support. Stay tuned! God bless you all. Randy and Cathy

"You sure do have a headspace problem, it isn't your rifle, it's you" 😂. Love it

This is a great video. What would be awesome would be a reloading video that gives us a visual demonstration of what mistakes he says people make followed up by what to actually do correctly.

This is the kinda guy I could set at a table with a bottle of whiskey and listen and learn for hours

This is the best description of how to adjust sizing die that I have seen.Thanks for sharing this.

Subscribed for this very reason....CLARITY AND WISDOM FROM DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN MULTIPLE CALIBERS..... THANK YOU.

3:53 Exactly! I used to be a member of a Marlin website I will not disclose the name, and they was saying how they get about 7 firings per rifle case. When I told them I have cases with over 100 firings, I was trolled by the site mod and his fanboys. I figured if they weren't interested in relaying useful information, I didn't need to be there.

I was so proud of my neck sizing die . As you said I rolled that round on a flat surface and saw the wobble . Great lesson!

Do you have a video series of your reloading process from start to finish? It would really be a great help for people who are just starting to learn how to do this. This is a great channel!

I’m so glad your doing this. I learn so much from you. I’ve been reloading for 20 years. I learn so many things from you. Thank you

where were u 20 years ago when i had to learn all this the hard way. you know its not that you know how to do it the right way thats impresive, its your understanding of why its the right way thats impressive and very rair.

I was doing it wrong for over 30 years because I went by what was written on the rcbs die instructions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and thank you for being a great American!

I love the no nonsense to the point nature of your videos.

As a match Rifle shooter and reloader i thank you for your expert reload tips.

I've been aware of the issues of shoulder depth and have neck sized with that in mind, but you have explained this in a way that sets me straight. Thank you Randy for this series of videos and sharing your extensive knowledge. After all, knowledge is the greatest gift you can ever give to another human being and becomes a true legacy to be remembered when you are gone. By the way, I'm just down the road on the other side of BB Reservoir from you. I'll keep an eye out for you around town and thank you proper if we meet.

The only way you're going to get repeatable consistent resizing is by using a headspace comparator so that you know exactly how far you're pushing the shoulder back and you can tell if you're getting close to a case head separation because you'll start seeing a light line show up right above the case head on you brass. Also if you hunt with a gas gun like I do at times only way to ensure function in the field is you have to push that shoulder back a little further then what you can get away with in a bolt gun but you still don't want to oversize your brass because you're going to shorten the life span of that brass like you mentioned. I get what you're saying on some of this but consistency is king with handloading in order to make good ammo and if I can have a way to measure my brass to ensure all of it is being resized the exact same regardless if it's competition or hunting ammo I can't see a single negative in that. It also allows people who are new to reloading know they're doing it right because they're not going by feel or eye they can physically measure it...

Outstanding! I'd like to see you do a video in your shop...58 years of collecting gear, must be something to see!

My dad and uncle referred to that slight bolt tightness as crush. Been setting my dies up like that for a long time. But, your explanation gives it meaning. Thank you.

Well done sir. That was the most clear, concise, easy to understand instruction on the proper way to set up a full length die that I’ve ever heard. Got a sub from me.

Thank you. Another good video with clear presentation, truth, logic and simple guidance. As a carpenter and generally, I like to keep things honest, simple and to the point. I was told during my JNCO course (several decades ago) that the first rule of instruction is ‘tell the truth’. It can require more work at the start, to get your facts right, but is always the better (and easier) way to go.

Sir, I’ve been loading ammunition for 40 years and very much appreciate this particular video and your conversation concerning proper loading ,I see a few of the errors of my way and I very much appreciate the knowledge that you’ve given many of us to help us Properly load our own ammunition to get the most out of our particular rifles, I thank you👍

Sir you have earned a couple of subscribers. Keep it up I enjoy watching and listening to someone so passionate and knowledgeable of their work. Thank you!

This video is correct if the case is only to be fired in the same rifle every time. If there is a chance that the reloaded ammo will be fired in another firearm then full length resized cases will ensure proper feeding.

Sir there’s a serious need for your first hand knowledge of this trade of bullet smithing if you will. Hope you keep them coming it’s needed .

Thanks for sharing Randy. Summed up well. We sure can over complicate things with a whole handful of tools for measuring, when the chamber fit/bolt cycling, is the best tool there is. Cheers mate.

I'd always loaded for .308 in a semi-auto and ran the sizing die down against the ram. I learned to accept the occasional head separation. Now that I have a bolt action rifle and am getting serious about sizing and seating depth and bullet/ogive contacting the lands, I'm in a different world altogether. Glad to have found The Real Gunsmith site. It's like sitting here with my cup of coffee and having my buddy The Real Gunsmith talking to me to prevent me from doing something stupid while I am starting to load for accuracy and consistency. You're making it pretty dang easy to understand WHY and HOW it's done. Now I'll go get a warm up on my coffee and finish listening.

Thank you for taking the time to share the knowledge and wisdom you have acquired over many years. You revealed techniques which happened to be the first time I have heard it explained, and you did it so clearly and in such manner that there could be no other way to properly accomplish a correct result. Again I thank you sincerely.

I enjoyed your video. My father taught me how to handload and his procedure was exactly as you described. Throughout my 31 years of handloading I've been able to reuse brass multiple times.

You sharing your wealth of knowledge on this subject is a tremendous gift to people like me who want to do things the right way! Thank you!

Redding and RCBS now make different shell holder heights to do exactly what is described here. That way its more precise than screwing the die up and down by who knows how much. Bottom the die on the +0.010 shell holder, and work down from there in 2thou increments.

Randy, many informative videos of yours have given me valuable information about the differences in the accuracy world of a rifle. Thank you!

Randy, Your a grumpy old crank and I love it. You remind me of the old timers who taught me well growing up on ranches in Calif. Lots of ass chewins, And I'm grateful for every one "YA GET IT?" 🤠

I've just started watching your videos and they are among the best instructional hand loading videos I've seen. I have hand loaded for over 25 years and I am not an expert at hand loading but do recognize you really know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to make these.

Thanks for your knowledge of a lifetime! I recently began reloads on a 7mmRemMag, after 30 rounds, I struggled to get under 1 inch groups. Many fliers...(it kicks like a mule, real light gun). I want to try out your method with my brass, and see if accuracy can be improved. I'd suppose there's no reason to buy a neck sizer now. I was using Nosler virgin ready to load brass. Years ago I worked at Nosler for a while, extruding jackets for many of their ballistic tips, e-tip, and partition, REALLY interesting job. One thing I was blown away by was constantly randomly checking the concentricity of the jackets, which would reduce accuracy much in a way like the neck of a case being misaligned to the body.

Randy, another excellent video. Who could argue with common sense. I now understand why I have had case head separation and I wondered why the head space problem happened. It is (was) my mis-guided reloading practices I will follow your guidelines and build improved handloads. Thanks and keep these excellent videos coming..

Thank you for sharing 5 plus decades of knowledge.

I'm really liking your videos. Very informative. Half way through I was going to ask about neck sizing then you explained it better than I've ever heard. Great work.

I am going into reloading rifle cartridges soon. I've done shotshells for over 20 years without a misfire. I am going to use your advice from your videos from here on in. I can learn from my mistakes but just as soon learn from others reps as a safe shortcut.

I realized years ago I had a "headspace" issue in my head. Randy is right. I learned this method the hard way, been shooting 7/16" groups since

It’s about time somebody cleared the muddy waters about Reloading! Thanks

sir you are a wealth of information can't get enough of your videos fantastic job

You make total sense ! I love your videos ! You’re a huge asset to the gun community !

Really appreciate you sharing your experience. Never to late. to learn. Thanks .

This is great info for target shooters hunters who will be using only thier ammo in only one rifle. I load the same 5.56 ammo for several AR15's I own and if a fellow shooter needs ammo they can expect someone to lend them some. So for these reasons and others I full length size everything, all the time. The same goes for hunting. I'll intentionally carry the same caliber of rifle as my hunting partners, just so I can lend them or they me a couple rounds if need be. At 60, I've loaded and fired a couple hundred thousand rounds and had only one case head separation, in an old .303 British Enfield. Brass is cheap if not free from local ranges, so if a piece of brass has any deformity or wear that I can detect it becomes scrap, and I normally scrap a bucket full every year. Maybe I'm just lucky. I don't care for neck sizing either. I've never found any benefit in accuracy with it. Thanks! JMOFWIW

Thanks for the info, Randy. I've spent a small fortune on gizmos chasing accuracy. Sometimes to no avail. The headspace issue and case life has been a major issue. Thanks, again, for clearing up this important point.

Thanks The Real Gunsmith. You've changed the way I approach sizing.

Thanks Randy. Before adjusting my new die I thought I would see how you did it and you do it exactly how I was showed by my Uncle 20 year's ago.thankyou👍

This has been a very helpful video. It was humbling to realize I have only been a reloader the past few years and not a handloader. Please keep the knowledge coming. I would be really interested in hearing some handloading (or in my case reloading), rifle building, and long range shooting advice for magnum medium and big bore rifles. I know they are not that relevant in North America but I’ve read too many White Hunter adventure stories and I’ve heard plenty of gunshow and online wisdom/tall tales to justify the usage for something like a .375 H&H on most big game under certain circumstances. Be great to hear what you think. If not, thanks for another informative video.

I absolutely agree with you. I like to bump that shoulder back .001 to .002. just to get that bolt to close a tiny bit snugly.. Set that resizing die to exactly the way you said to. Very good video!

Hey Randy.... Thank you for your Extreme Knowledge and sharing it with us !! I've only been hand loading for 2 1/2 years now. However, I've been doing that exact method for my bolt guns as you described with the die adjustment and I use the Redding Instant Indicator for all rifle calibers I load, to help with my consistency on resizing. (13 calibers). I'm using the Redding T-7 press. Man....after hearing you mention your Absolute Expert ways for precision loading. I feel a lot more confident of my precision hand loads! All has been going perfectly. Really Appreciate "your" time to help us out. Love your Videos! Thanks again. Scott

Well done Randy, any one who has watched this should learn from it. Please.

Randy i love your videos. I would enjoy the chance to meet you. What i enjoy is your no BS talk.

I used to what he just said with no issue. I started to listen to the pros with FL and shoulder bump and and got my first head case separation. Now going back

This was the first video of yours that I ever watched. I knew then it wouldn't be the last. Great info. Thank You.

Best info anywhesre on neck vs full lenth sizing. I handload and knew each one but not the whys. Very,very valuable info. Thank you so much.

I have always hesitated to call myself an expert at anything I do even though others have called me an expert in my job and at other things. In the world of shooting and reloading I have knowledge, but I would classify myself as one of those reloaders that is striving to achieve the knowledge and experience of a handloader. I learn something every time I reload for accuracy, precision, and consistency. Thank you for always being so willing to share your experience and knowledge with us. You have no idea how helpful you are to the community even though you hate 6.5 Creedmoor greater than any other human alive.

Like your title say's. "The Real Gunsmith" Funny how I've never heard any other demos mention this method. I always tested my resized shells in the gun before proceeding to load. I start snug and adjust accordingly. Bravo. I just mentioned to a fellow who had problems chambering tight shells and was talking head space. I suggested , try your cases in the gun first before you reload. Dial down if to tight. Yes sir you be right. I caught on years ago when I was popping the heals off of 30/30 loads. Thank-You.

After hearing your instructions on the proper way to size brass I feel like throwing away my reloads and start over. Definitely will remember what you said and will follow.

I’m just starting and in joy listening to you,your a very smart man

Mr. Selby you are a brilliant gentleman I've learned so much paying attention to your various videos thank you Sir.

Randy you being a machinest will only understand this just like my self you hit the nail on the head

It is a good thing that fan is not anoying. I liked the rest of the video.

I have been doing it wrong for a lot of years because I read the instructions I will try this it makes sense I have a lot to learn

Another great informative video. Thanks Randy for sharing your knowledge.

One of my mentors gave me the same advice/education shortly after starting to reload my own back in the 80s.

Ive always used a neck sizing die for fired cases on a specific rifle. with the exception of lever actions and semi autos, those I'll full length size every time.

I have my fathers Rem 721 270 and his Sako Finnbear 7mag, (RIP) he had me help and taught me reloading at 10yo. But to this day I’m using the same brass in the early 1960s just for these individual guns. Also still use his set dummy rounds for sizing and using same nosler bullets. Now with modern bullets and weight, I then need to make a new dummy round for such.

I know this video is 5 years old but I only neck size until I have to FL size. I use RCBS or Redding Elite die sets with bushings. Once I fire rounds through a rifle, I will see if they easily rechamber when I get home. If they do, I anneal, neck size only with the proper bushing to set neck OD 0.002 tighter than when loaded. I do not use the expander. I got rid of those decades ago due to causing runout. Then I check OAL, trim accordingly, then rechamber every case in that rifle. Then I check for runout, which, is extremely rare to get any or any over 0.001. This method has served me well for many years and has produced the most accurate ammo I load with the most consistency. When I'm testing the fired cases to see if they rechamber and they are too snug, or I get a clicker when lifting the bolt, I will put those in a different batch and FL size them properly as indicated in this video. Luckily I learned that many decades ago as well. More recently, I bought and used 21st Century turning mandrels to expand case mouths to hopefully improve uniformity and I suppose it does but out to 560 yards I haven't noticed the benefit using those v just sizing with neck bushing dies and no expander

This video is amazing. Wow I need more of these!! I wish you were my neighbor!!!

So just to be correct....die in till it touches the holder back off 1/4 turn, lube and run through die then try it in my chamber, adjust die in further lube and size again until it fits in the chamber with a slight resistance when the bolt is approximately 2/3 closed? Gosh I love your videos, nothing speaks like experience. Excellent video!

Fantastic information. Thank you for sharing your expertise. I primarily reload straight wall pistol where this isn't as big of an issue, but it's always good to learn and grow.

Randy- I've been reloading off and on for 45 years. In that time I've accumulated various little gizmos to enable me to accomplish what you've said about sizing cases in this video. I've just tried the method you've outlined here with both a .280 Ackley and a .300 Weatherby. I didn't even have to trim either of them How simple!, but then most profound things are. Thanks so much and all the best to you.

After a few years of testing the Lee Collet neck sizing dies in various cartridges I can attest to them working perfectly. I've been handloading for 31 years. Once a round is chamber formed to a specific rifle I collet neck size, trim, de-burr and load. Second firing I anneal the cases then repeat. Each rifle has tightened its' groups and case life is extended sometimes to 10 loadings.

Wow. Case rolling on a smooth flat surface to determine bullet wobble. Brilliant. ! I had a case so off that the round wouldn't chamber. (My fault, I hurried the seating on this one round, bent the neck askew). Telltale sign was a scrape on one side of bullet. I always chamber (safely) every hunting round before a hunt. You might be the only Patreon sight I sub to! Great 👍 stuff!

This has been the epitome of the “ah ha” moment for me. Thank you for this explanation, makes perfect since with your description.

What surprises me is that more folk don't know these things. Almost anyone that reloads the .303 British for a Lee Enfield rifle learns to use similar techniques if they want more than 3 reloads out of a case. I have got dozens without issues. Same for the 7 x 57 I used to have; after 20-odd reloads the cases were still within length tolerances and functioning perfectly.

Good intentions I'm sure though I would prob inform viewers to remove the ejector and firing pin not to get any false readings, one other issue is brass spring back those who don't anneal every firing or so I've sized brass back 2thou that's spring back to the same measurement after 24hrs so if someone only sizes brass 1thou to fit their chamber that's an issue waiting to happen

If your firing these rounds in the same bolt action rifle that they were fired in, this is great advise. You could get a life time of “reloads” sizing brass for the same rifle using your method. RCBS used to make neck sizing only dies back in the day, I don’t know if they still do. However, if your reloading for a semi automatic rifle, you’ll need to full length size more than as you describe. Example, the M1 may even need a “small base” resizing die to properly feed and chamber.

This is exactly why I only neck size only in my bolt rifles. The less the brass is worked, the longer it lasts before the case neck cracks.

Wow! Better review my procedures. Thanks much Randy,

Thanks for this vid . I moved from m96 sweed to a zastava m70 in sweed . The m96 chamber was very generous compared to the m70 . Good to know I was on the right track when I set up the FL resize. Will be neck sizing after the 1st shoot .

I have been reloading for 40+ years and I shot 3/4" groups at 100 yards and was satisfied with that for the areas that I hunt. After applying your technique I've shot an honest 5 shot group that is 0.0640 with my 6.5 swedishmauser. Oh by the way I'm not getting on the bandwagon for 6.5 creedmore. I know what my sweed will do! :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

Wow just subscribed to this channel this guy is one of those old timers who has been there and done it all. Thanks so much for sharing a lifetime of knowledge. knowledge from people such as yourself is critical to be passed on to the next generation

I couldn’t agree more. There is so much for a newcomer and not so new to learn, for others could you suggest a couple good books that cover the best aspects to follow. My father had a lot of books that I read! For those of you that are relatively new to Loading..stick with it, it’s a great hobby!

Thank you for sharing you info and experience on resizing cases, hopefully this will make me a better bandleader

Thank you for taking the time to bestow your knowledge!!! Thank you and God Bless!!

I thank God I found your channel you are a awesome gunsmith

Right on Real Gun Smith. You do not want to over work the case. This work hardens the brass, causes fatigue, crack formation and premature case head separation. Toward the bottom of the case the brass is necessarily harder and stronger than at the neck. ( Annealing the necks is another topic) Now when you fire the round the case expands and rebounds a smidgen. Depending on dimensional conformance neck sizing prevents overworking the entire case. As long as you have smooth ejection ( no heavy bolt lift etc.) and feed after reload full length resizing back to SAMMI specs ( virgin brass) can create problems. But you have to be meticulous on die set up. Also, you can use the Hornady Concentricity Tool to check the runout of the entire case. You should check this occasionally to be sure you have conformance along the centerline and your die is accurately and repeatedly resizing.

Never watched his videos before but he is absolutely correct. Although there is a way to get this exact without relying on 'feel'. Use a Hornady head space gauge to adjust the die as follows. First select at least 10 fired cases and clean off the neck and shoulders with fine steel wool. Make sure they are all the same type of case, not mixed mfgs. Then use a depriming die that does not size the case and knock the primers out. The reason is that you want to remove the fired primer just in case it sticks out over one or two thousandths. Then set you resizing die in as he described and use the Hornady tool to measure the headspace length of the first case and WRITE IT DOWN. Lube the case and run it in and out of the resizing die and measure the headspace again to see if you have bumped the shoulder back. If you have not moved it then turn the die in another 1/4 turn and SELECT another case, don't reuse the previous one for this process. Repeat, measure and record, size and measure again. You are looking for 0.001 to 0.002 of shoulder bump only. (this is only for a bolt gun BTW.) Since I've started resizing my brass this way I've not had any case head separation and it was a real problem for me before I found this process. I have two rifles in identical caliber and use different manufacture brass in each and have a separate resizing die set up for each. Both rifles give 1/4 MOA accuracy.

I don’t shoot anymore thanks to UK laws been a pain in the ass but the process I found the most accurate was to FL size the case so the shoulders were resized 1-2thou. I then used to Collet size the neck with a custom sized mandrel to ensure consistent neck straightness and tension. You are so right so many reloaders FL over size and it does nothing for the brass or accuracy

Thank you Sir! Excellent video. The best explanation of this I have heard.

I sure hope you have people working for you so your craft carry's on for future generations.

I’ve got cases in 22/250 that have over 20 firings on them, every time I chamber one I feel that slight snugness he was talking about, and I do not tumble the brass, once brass has been fired, the inside is cultured.

I’m probably a little late as I just started watching your videos today. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’ve been partial resizing cases as you have described here for the past 40 years. I do however use neck sizing for the first 2-3 firings until the case is snug. I seldom shoot full throttle loads, usually 5% under, so case life is very long. I’ve quit counting on some brass. I will now have to try the partial sizing during the first couple firings to see if it makes a difference in accuracy. I’ve never noticed a difference when I’ve changed over on the 2nd or third loads from neck only to partial.

Mr. Selby, did you know Jim Carmichael? I used his books to learn to reload is why I ask, decades ago. Thank you for your efforts. Gerald.

I’ve watched this video many many times Thank you !!!

Haven't read all the comments yet, but will. I guess I'm one of those guys that takes more measurements - but in essence, I believe I'm accomplishing the same. I use a comparator type measuring tool to measure to the fired case datum point on the case shoulder. I've found a once fired case will contract slightly in the chamber, just a couple thousands, and chamber just fine without pushing the shoulder back at all. But that same case after being fired several times starts to work harden, and will not contract back as much, and start to become harder to chamber. So I measure to the datum liine - adjust my fl die to where it just starts pushing the shoulder back, and then back it off again to the point the shoulder is not being pushed back at all on a once fired case. Lock that die in, label it for that specific gun / chamber, and document the setting, place that documentation in the die box. That way, when the cases have been fired several times, and the brass starts to lose elasticity, the die will size back to the once fired dimensions. Any over-sized cases from the above steps are put in a separate pile, and reloaded, shot, so they can be resized to the exact spec's of a once fired case. I measure my cases for concentricity, but what I've found is those measurements just kind of tell me the quality of that specific fl die. Some dies are less concentric than other dies, even of the same brand. Being diligent in reloading steps seems to yield concentric measurements that are basically the same shell after shell. If there is too much variance - get a different FL die and the results change - consistent again, but different than the other FL die. I have my reservations about pulling an expander ball back through the neck - as when the expander ball is being pulled through the neck, the case is no longer supported the full case length. While it may not make much sense other than adding steps to a reloading hobby, I'm getting more comfortable with trimming the case necks to a consistent thickness, and using a button to size the case mouth for more consistent bullet tension. It stands to reason the case of more supported in a Neck sizing die than a button sized neck FL die. Again, I'm experimenting with steps, but I've become a believer in a Body die, then neck size die as a 2 step process. More important than any of the above, bullet seating can be done with many different tools, the most important to be that the seater fully supports the cartridge during the seating process. What I've gravitated to is the LE Wilson seating dies. The case is completely supported, and then the bullet is pushed down into the supported case from above, instead of pushing the case up into the bullet.

I read articles and watch videos of guys reloading for semi-autos and most say you have to fully resize the case even use small base dies. In all 4 chambers I reload for all 4 function just fine with .02 shoulder bump and a light crimp with a lee collet crimp

I WILL reload better don't wunna let you down! I've watched 2 videos and i really appreciate all your knowledge that you share.

Very good info here. I have a headspace guages that I use to measure my shoulder bump. I bump .001-.002 shoulder bump and that seems to work well. However I'm going to switch to .0005 bump