Noob question

[2002silverex]

I'm still really new to reloading.

I've got the hornady lock n load kit.

I've
Worked up a good load using my once fired brass.

I just purchased 200 norma brand new 204 brass.
I've got probably a silly question... Do I have to neck size this brass before I load it or is it ready to load seeing its brand new? Don't be to hard on me I've never reloaded with brand new brass.

Thanks in advance.

Tyler

[Bill K]

You should run it through your F/L die first, then after that, when fired in your rifle, try to do the neck size only procedure. Bill K

[RAMOS]

Would not hurt to size it, sometimes the necks get knocked out of round in shipping. However, if they look good try pushing a bullet in by hand to check tension.

[Bodei]

You shouldn't need to, but if the necks aren't perfectly round then you may have to. Buy a neck sizing only die. Mine is from Lee.

[Joe O]

I have loaded hundreds of new brass without running them through any type of die.Just prep the brass,ie flash hole,primer pocket,I usually champher the inside of the neck,Prime,powder and seat the bullet.You should have enough tention. After the first fireing,is when I clean,use a neck sizing die,uniform primer pocket(cleans& uniforms),trim all cases light cut,just to uniform them,deburr and champher.prime and load.

[2002silverex]

I do have a neck sizing die. That is the method I have been using to re size my factory ammo when reloading once fired rounds.

[Rick in Oregon]

FWIW, I'll chime in here.

I'd recommend just taking your brand new brass and detail it (uniform primer pocket, deburr flash hole, deburr/chamfer neck), then just neck size it only. Chances are the stuff will drop right into your chamber right out of the bag, but a proper neck size first will uniform the neck and take out any out-of-round, and make more consistent neck tension over all 100 pcs. All you really need to do is have the new case properly grip the bullet.

If you F/L size your brass out of the bag, you're over working it, and if you don't do anything, you have case necks that will be dinged, out of round, burred, and complete loss of uniform neck tension that will not aid accuracy or consistency one iota.

For the F/L size first crowd, consider this: If a brass case will drop right into your chamber right out of the bag, why in the world would you "need" to full-length size it prior to firing? (That one has always amused me. )

But really silverex.....everyone is a newbie at virtually everything sometime in their lives, no harm in asking questions.

[futuretrades]

My suggestion would be to read RIO's post carefully and follow his suggestions as close as you can. Thats what I started doing when I got my 204 years ago. I bought brand new RP brass when I started. I prepped all of that brass, some 800 pieces, according to Ricks suggestions. I have never FL sized any of this brass. My FL die for the 204 has never been used! I have reloaded and fired this brass, some of it up to 6 firings so far with absolutely no problems. I only neck size, Lee collet neck die, and when they become somewhat hard to chamber, I do have and use a Redding bump die for the shoulder.

As Rick stated;

For the F/L size first crowd, consider this: If a brass case will drop right into your chamber right out of the bag, why in the world would you "need" to full-length size it prior to firing? (That one has always amused me. )

[2002silverex]

Thanks guys! That's what ill do.