How to Reload Bottleneck Brass

Brass rifle cartridges deform under the heat and pressure generated when they are fired. As part of the reloading process, cartridges have to be restored to their original shape and size through the use of a sizing die. "Bottleneck" cartridges feature case necks that are narrower than the rest of the cartridge. Bottleneck cartridges often only require resizing the case neck. Neck sizing saves wear and tear on the brass and prolongs the life of the cartridge.

Things You'll Need

  • Case lube
  • Reloading dies
  • Reloading press
  • Hand priming tool
  • Firearms propellant
  • Bullets
  • Precision calipers
Show More

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sizing Die

    • 1

      Raise the ram on your reloading press to its highest position. Thread the sizer die into the press until the bottom of the die contacts the shell holder on top of the ram. Lower the ram.

    • 2

      Back out the sizing die by turning it a half-turn counterclockwise. By raising the die slightly from its standard position, you will resize the neck of the cartridge without resizing the shoulder or main casing.

    • 3

      Locate the knob on top of the sizing die that controls the depth setting of the expander plug. Turn the expander plug clockwise one full turn to set it deeper into the die. This ensures that the entire length of the cartridge's bottleneck will be resized properly.

    • 4

      Insert a lubricated brass cartridge case into the shell holder and run it into the press. Remove it and examine the case's shoulder for any tool marks. If tool marks are present, back out the sizing die another quarter-turn and run another test cartridge into the press. Repeat this process until no tool marks appear on the case shoulder, then lock the sizing die into place by turning down the locking ring.

    Reload Cartridges

    • 5

      Resize and remove the spent primers from your brass casings by running them through the sizing die on your reloading press. Press a new primer into each cartridge using the hand priming tool. After priming, place all cartridges in a cartridge tray with the case mouth facing upward.

    • 6

      Charge each casing with propellant according to your selected handload's recipe. Major ammunition component manufacturers like Speer, Hornady and Sierra publish extensive lists of reloading data -- known as recipes -- for rifle ammunition. For safety, reload your ammunition using only laboratory tested recipes.

    • 7

      Run each cartridge through the bullet-seating die on your press to seat and crimp the bullet specified in your handload's recipe. Use your precision calipers to measure a sampling of the finished cartridges to ensure they fall within the mechanical tolerances specified in the reloading data.