Question about FL resizing and headspace

[Retired MSG]

I'm new to reloading, due to having a great deal drop in my lap that has subsequently cost me a fortune lol. As yet I haven't loaded a single round, but I'm chomping at the bit to do so. I've done a ton of research and reading (and purchasing), and there are some really knowledgeable members here that I'm hoping can help. (like @Big John ) Here's my (latest) issue:

I'm looking to reload factory rimless bottleneck brass I've fired once through my Tikka 8mm Mauser. I have a 2 die Hornady die set - decapping/resizing and bullet seating. I used a Franklin Arsenal universal decapper to pop the primers and I've cleaned and prepped brass for next steps. I researched full length resizing vs just neck sizing and the internet opinions run much heavier toward full length over just neck resizing. There are pro's and cons to both, but neck sizing seems a bit quirkier and perhaps something I should reconsider once I get more experience. I was trying to set up the FL resizing die to my turret press and my research ran me into "adjusting" the die so it "bumps back" the shoulder of the fired casing by .001" to .002". The recommendations to properly measure this bump back suggested using one of yet another gadget/device made by several manufacturers. These include the RCBS Precision Mic, the Hornady Headspace Comparator, possibly something from Forsters (which I haven't nailed down yet) and the Sinclair Comparator. The only one of them that has an 8mm mauser specific fitting I could find was the Sinclair.
Improper headspacing is obviously extremely undesirable, and the info I've seen implies this slight bump back will add to accuracy, which is why I'm doing this.
My question(s) are these: am I down a reloading rabbit hole and just running the casing through the FL die put the brass back into SAAMI/factory spec? Do I need another gadget and measurement to get the rounds I'm producing to perform better in the rifle? If so, what gadget (that would work w/8mm Mauser) do you recommend? Are there arguments FOR neck sizing only that I haven't come across yet that would be convincing to do it that way? Anything else I may be missing?
Thanks for your time and opinions, I'm looking forward to hearing from you all.
Retired MSG

 

[Darth]

You're reading way too much into it. No gadgets.

Set up the FL resizer according to directions. Turn it a quarter turn more to knock back the shoulder a hair.

You do that so the bolt won't be stiff closing.

Splitting hairs with accuracy will get you nothing at this stage. All my guns can outshoot me.

Neck sizing only lengthens brass life, but don't worry about that yet.

 

[David D]

If the brass will ONLY be used in your Tikkai Rifle, then just resize the neck of the brass. No need to full length resize, it only will weaken the brass. It's called Fire Forming.

 

[MilesTeg]

I agree with Darth(god that hurts). At this stage of the game setup the dies to factory specs. Even when neck sized or measured FL sizing the accuracy improvements won't be noticeable to most shooters. You will gain more precision from using high quality components than neck sizing.

 

[Acer-m14]

i reload for my .223 and .270 .. the only problem i have had was bolt not closing on the .270 with Rem brass .. had to turn the die down a bit more
to knock the shoulder back .. all i have is a press / dies and calipers .. .. size your brass and check fit in gun .. then load them up ..

i think alot see headspace and think its in reloading .. i think it headspace is more if you change barrels or your bolt .. chime in guys ..

 

[Big John]

I really don't have much to add as what the previous post have said about all. If you are going to neck size the brass must be from the same weapon, you CANNOT neck size brass from different weapons and have them work properly.

 

[SteyrAug]

Reloading is great ..... been at it 60 Years. All comments thus far are correct BUT if you go hunting ONLY use new prepared or once fired brass AND function test EVERY single round in the rifle you intend to use. Given the quality of today's high end factory ammo, a good case can be made for using it when you hunt. Seen some hunts go to hell because of a stuck case, a bullet stuck in the lands and dumping a case full of powder into the action etc. etc.. "Minute of Elk" is a garbage can lid .... you don't need sub MOA accuracy.

My go to for my Moose and Bighorn this year will be my trusty R-1 topped with a Nightforce 2-10x32. She's a "three in a MOA" and that will kill anything I'd ever shoot at. Also drew a speed goat. Scored last year with my 41 Swiss, might take an 1871 43 Mauser this year. Contrary to what the hunting rags tell you, you can get close to them IF you are willing to belly crawl through sage and cact

 

[SteyrAug]

The trusty R1

 

[Big John]

After further thought I think working up a load that the weapon likes is more important than a couple thousandth of headspace. Having said that after doing so I would keep a record of that load and check how it is shooting throughout the life span of the barrel and adjusting as necessary. Having said that, as some have mentioned here and elsewhere I am a bit anal when it comes to reloading and shooting. A tip I have learned is to make a setup round for my bullet seat, go through the process of reloading one round without primer or powder making sure it is to specifications for that bullet and mark it with the OAL. If I have to remove the bullet seat die I can easily reset it by putting the OAL round in the press run it all the way up and install the die until it touches the bullet.... wow I kind of dragged that out.

 

[Acer-m14]

@Big John I do that too .. make a dummy round to spec .. now that i got more turrets (5) don't need to pull dies anymore just pull the turret and swap it with what cal im going to do that day .. I'll pop a turret in run one round thru and double check . still good run the lot of them ..

 

[Big John]

[QUOTI ="Acer-m14, post: 196620, member: 256"]@Big John I do that too .. make a dummy round to spec .. now that i got more turrets (5) don't need to pull dies anymore just pull the turret and swap it with what cal im going to do that day .. I'll pop a turret in run one round thru and double check . still good run the lot of them ..[/QUOTE]
Acer I also have a turret press however I use different bullets for different tasks ie 150-110 gr and the OAL is different between the bullets which is why I make the dummy rounds.

 

[Retired MSG]

Thanks everyone, this is what I was looking for. The reloads are all for rifle they were initially fired from, but I'll probally FL resize as I don't really want at this point to buy a neck sizing die too. I was exactly planning on what @Big John mentioned, working up loads and bullet weights to see exactly what this rifle works best with. I'll update with progress

 

[zzrguy]

I would be more worried about the jump then headspace.

If your looking for a tool to help accuracy this is my choose.

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Tools & Gauges :: Lock-N-Load Gauges-Formerly Stoney Point :: OAL Gauges & Modified Cases :: OAL Gauges :: Lock-N-Load® OAL Gauge Straight

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Tools & Gauges :: Lock-N-Load Gauges-Formerly Stoney Point :: OAL Gauges & Modified Cases :: Modified Cases :: Lock-N-Load® 8 x 57mm Mauser Modified Case 1 Each