Why Bushing Size Matters
Using the correct bushing die in your bushing sizing die is one of the easiest ways to improve consistency when sizing brass.
A bushing that’s too large may not provide enough neck tension, while one that’s too small can overwork your brass.
Choosing the correct size helps create more consistent ammunition and can extend brass life.
Two Easy Ways to Find Your Starting Point
Instead of guessing, there are two common methods that will get you very close.
Both methods are excellent starting points and can be fine-tuned based on your brass and shooting application.
One Size Doesn’t Fit Every Shooter
While approximately 0.002″ neck tension is considered a common starting point, your ideal setup may vary.
Hunters & Field Shooters
- Often prefer tighter neck tension (0.003” – 0.004”), which would need a smaller bushing and possibly a custom-polished expander ball.
Benchrest Shooters
- Often go for as little as 0.0005” – 0.001” tension for ultimate precision.
Finding what works best for your rifle, brass, and application is part of developing an accurate load.
Tip for Precision
Some reloaders choose to skip the expander ball when using a bushing die, but this can allow small inconsistencies in the brass to remain.
We prefer using a slightly smaller bushing with an expander ball. For example, our 6.5x47L brass uses a 0.286″ bushing and a 0.262″ expander ball to produce approximately 0.0025″–0.003″ of consistent neck tension while helping correct minor alignment issues.
Bushings
Why Not Use a Standard Die?
Standard sizing dies are designed to size every case the same way, regardless of brass thickness. With thicker brass, this can result in more sizing than necessary.
A bushing sizing die allows you to size only as much as needed, helping improve consistency while reducing unnecessary wear on your brass.
Bushing Full Length Ultra™ Die Set
Choosing the right bushing size for your bushing sizing die is an important step toward achieving consistent, repeatable results. If you have any questions or need help choosing the right bushing for your setup, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is always happy to help you achieve the precision you’re aiming for.