Originally Posted by Slowpoke Slim
I always FL size my big game hunting rifle brass, whether it's belted mag or not. I have had 3 belted magnums, now I'm down to 2. To me this is much ado about nothing. A chance for gunwriters to kill a bunch of trees and churn out articles for magazines.
Other than sighting in checks and initial load development, how much do you ACTUALLY shoot your big game rifle? I have had multiple reloads, like 5 or 6 on my belted magnum brass. That's YEARS worth of hunting, I don't care who you are!
I FL size my brass to make it chamber easily and the bolt throw faster-easier. My load development is done with FL brass too.
I've never had a problem with belted magnum brass separating, headspace or chambering issues. This is a non-event.
Now my long range, match or prairie dog ammo is a different story, and it's loaded for a different purpose. But big game ammo, no absolutely not. FL size it and be done with it.