How fussy do you guys get when neck turning?
- Thread starter s.a.w gunner
- Start date
only perfect is acceptable, your tuning for precision so sub par brass prep is going to lead to sub par groups or score.
To ensure perfect necks I turn 2 or 3 times to get to the desired neck thickness, shallower cuts tend to be more uniform rather then trying to take 5 or 6 thou off in one pass. My finish turner is set and never adjusted
To ensure perfect necks I turn 2 or 3 times to get to the desired neck thickness, shallower cuts tend to be more uniform rather then trying to take 5 or 6 thou off in one pass. My finish turner is set and never adjusted
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
This must be a Benchrest or LRP thing. I've never done it, but then again I never claimed to be an expert reloader.
It is a benchrest thing. A uniform neck thickness will apply a more uniform neck tension which can aid with accuracy. It wont make a difference with hunting loads unless your hunting at extreme range with a match rifle.
-------------------------------------------
An important consideration is the tolerance of the measuring equipment you're using. You need to know the error of the micrometer you have (calipers aren't accurate enough for this really). Most decent mics have an error of +/- .0002". So to say you are holding to a tolerance of 1, 2, or 3 tenths is impossible unless you have a very high precision measuring device. Just because it reads out to .0001" doesn't mean it's accurate to that measurement. Of course higher end measuring equipment will have smaller errors and give a more true reading. The reading error is sometimes printed or engraved right on the tool but is usually in the manual if it isn't on the tool itself.
Consistency is usually more important than true precision. The technique yodave describes sounds like a very consistent method in which case actually measuring isn't always necessary.
it is important to allow your brass to relax after sizing or expanding as well as relax between turning opperations..........
it sounds painful but you always work on a new set of brass while your shooting the old brass. There are a few guys out there that have turned and trued 300 pieces to find the 7 single pieces they shoot all their groups with, the reload at the shooting bench between relays........I am not that anal..............yet
it sounds painful but you always work on a new set of brass while your shooting the old brass. There are a few guys out there that have turned and trued 300 pieces to find the 7 single pieces they shoot all their groups with, the reload at the shooting bench between relays........I am not that anal..............yet
if your getting a variance in neck thickness after turning your probably turning to fast causing ridges, its a slow process and yodave is correct,
slow down and do a good job or don't do it at all
the idea is to get a uniform neck wall thickness to give you consistent "grip" or "neck tension" on the bullet
all factory brass I have found / measured is inconsistent, including Lapua and Norma
slow down and do a good job or don't do it at all
the idea is to get a uniform neck wall thickness to give you consistent "grip" or "neck tension" on the bullet
all factory brass I have found / measured is inconsistent, including Lapua and Norma
- Location
- West Quebec
So you use two or more turners?
Chinbullco
Regular
- Location
- NW Alberta
If case neck has a "thin side" chances are that thin side extends the cartridges' entire length. Its a good idea to check run out a few millimeters north of cartridges web. Before turning case necks should determine body run out.
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Okay. Good. I don't have to worry about that stuff then, since I'm working up what will amount to a good hunting load (I'll still be striving for sub-MOA, but who doesn't) through an entry level hunting rifle that shoots better than *I* do.
Much of what bench rest shooter do in case prep filters down to us is overkill in standard off the shelf factory hunting rifles. When you are standing on your hind legs shooting at a running deer, neck turning, deburring the flash hole, uniforming primer pockets, etc isn't going to make the deer stand still and calm your heart rate.
"BUT" once you get a runout gauge and a neck thickness gauge you will learn a great deal about the quality of your brass.
So the answer to your question depends on the type shooting you are doing, the type rifle and the range you are shooting at. "AND" if your full length resizing or just neck sizing because both deal with neck tension but with neck sizing it also means the bullets alignment with the bore to a greater degree.
Below is a Remington .223 case with approximately .003 neck thickness variation.
Neck turning cases with large variances in case wall and neck thickness isn't going to align the bullet with the axis of the bore when neck sizing. And when fired these cases will warp and become banana shaped and effect accuracy also.
And I didn't make up the term "banana shaped" as you can see below.
So to answer your question if you have a custom made rifle with minimum chamber dimensions and shoot in competition then be fussy. If you have a off the shelf factory made rifle and full length resize then you do not have to be fussy about a few ten thousandths.
And the neck thickness gauge pictured above taught me more about the quality of the brass than anything else. And one turn of the wrist separates my .223/5.56 cases from being shot in my AR15 carbine or my bolt action .223.
I got the photo below off the internet but I think after what he spent for the rifle, he was fussy with his brass.
Last edited:
I never neck-turned. I can visualize bench/target shooters wanting to apply this procedure, however not necessary for a hunting rifle. Personally I try to achieve 1/2" or less with load development. Once consistency and integrity is achieved with the rifle and load, then I have met my goal.
Last edited:
- Location
- West Quebec
Thanks Ed nice illustrations as usual.. this helps put it into perspective for me:
"So to answer your question if you have a custom made rifle with minimum chamber dimensions and shoot in competition then be fussy. If you have a off the shelf factory made rifle and full length resize then you do not have to be fussy about a few ten thousandths. "
"So to answer your question if you have a custom made rifle with minimum chamber dimensions and shoot in competition then be fussy. If you have a off the shelf factory made rifle and full length resize then you do not have to be fussy about a few ten thousandths. "
I had a custom made 257 weatherby built in the past with a very tight match chamber. It was so tight that I had to "push" the bolt down. After conducting some research I came across Redding Competition Shell holders. When these shell holders are utilized they went above and beyond SAAMI specs to reduce the size of the case...........short story, problem solved and easy as pie to perform. BTW, it was a Ted Galliard 28" barrel and the gun maker was Rocky Mountain Rifles from Dawson, BC. The gun is a 1/4" shooter.
Last edited:
PitBull1973
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Right Behind You
I agree . I use readings comp shell holders on my 308 and 300 win cases. Best investment
Im newish to neckturning, but I only do so to about a 50% cut on my particular brass. Winchester, I calibrate the cut on the first few pieces of brass, then simply maintain this for the rest of the lot. Using a mititoyo ball micrometer after this treatment shows Im getting neck thickness uniformity that never exceeds .0011 and very rarely goes under .0010.
I know perfect uniformity requires a 100% cut, but I am working on the theory that neck thickness must be tempered with strength. I dont want to make the necks too thin for fear of impacting the necks ability to hold the bullet in place firmly.
can anyone tell me what happens to runout when chambering? I imagine neck strength mayters less if single feeding, but for those who load from a mag neck thickness isnt everything.
I know perfect uniformity requires a 100% cut, but I am working on the theory that neck thickness must be tempered with strength. I dont want to make the necks too thin for fear of impacting the necks ability to hold the bullet in place firmly.
can anyone tell me what happens to runout when chambering? I imagine neck strength mayters less if single feeding, but for those who load from a mag neck thickness isnt everything.
