.284 win Neck bushing

FLSTFO2

FLSTFO2

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I'm ordering a set of redding dies for a .284 win thats being built, but I don't have brass or bullets yet. I'll be using Lapua brass and need a bushing size. Any ideas.
 
First, ask your gunsmith, he will know the neck diameter of the chamber reamer; there are many variations: standard, no turn and tight necks - often this is stipulated by the customer. The gunsmith will be able to tell you what the neck diameter of a loaded cartridge should be. This will allow you to determine if you need to turn the necks or not. The largest neck diameter of a loaded cartridge should measure at least 0.002-0.003" smaller than fired cases necks. This allows for a clearance all around the neck of the loaded cartridge, allowing the case neck to expand and safely release the bullet upon firing.

There are a couple ways to figure bushing size, the first is to measure the neck diameter of loaded or dummy cartridges with an accurate micrometer. Subtract 0.001" from the cartridge that had the smallest average measurement. This will allow for a slight amount of spring back and create a proper press fit for the bullet.

Another method of determining bushing size, is to measure the neck wall thickness of the cartridge cases with a ball micrometer. Double this measurement and add the bullet diameter to calculate the neck diameter of a loaded cartridge. As above, subtract 0.001" from this figure to determine bushing size.

Lapua brass is consistent, you should have less than .001" neck thickness variation, over .002" you would need to use a tighter bushing to hold the bullet.

Once loaded test the neck tension by pressing the tip of the bullet against your loading bench, it shouldn't move with moderate pressure, this is mainly a factor when you will use the rifle in the field rather than a bench to avoid excess bullet jump if the bullets are accidentally pressed farther in the case during handling

There are many variations on these methods depending if you are shooting bench rest or loading accurate hunting ammunition, tighter clearances leave less room for error and variation of conditions.

Dan
 
Nice! I've done the exact same thing. A.C. Douglas Gunsmith in Saskatoon built a .284 for me from a long action Sendero. Ted Gaillard supplied the 1-9" heavy, straight tapered stainless barrel. Craig necked my chamber at .316, so I got a .311 neck bushing for my Redding die, as a loaded round with the Lapua brass measures a few tenths over .313. This gives me a .002" press fit on the bullet and .0015" per side clearance when in the chamber. I have read that .002" to .003" total clearance (.001 to .0015 radially) and about .002 neck tension are about optimum for the .284. I can't remember exactly what article I read this in (I've read so much on this stuff!). I bought a Hornady 7mm neck sizing die because they have a nice long expander ball for necking up the 6.5-284 Lapua brass. So far, everything's all smiles! As an aside, the chamber is throated for the 168 VLD's.

I received my finished rifle from Craig exactly two days before tearing my knee up but I did manage to get 2 shots through it before I had to go for surgery. Sadly, I haven't been able to get to my range since. I cleaned the barrel from Craig's test round prior to heading to the range and put only two rounds through to get my scope on and to start my very brief break-in exercise. Those two shots ended up being only 3/4" apart at my 264 yard target with just 'ho-hum that'll do for break-in' handloads. When I got home and cleaned it, I was very happy to discover that the bore sparkled with only two patches! This is quite amazing to me because this is the first custom I have ever had. Much nicer than factory barrels so far.

I'd just like to say, top shelf work by Craig and Ted. Very highly recommended! Good luck with your build - I think we're both going to have a pile of fun.

Rooster
 
Thanks Dan
I should have mentioned the reamer is for a no turn neck . The gunsmith has bushings so we'll do the figuring when I pick it up. So very little neck tension, good to know.
 
Thanks Rooster
Good info,did you turn the necks or is .313 average for finished case.
Jerry at Hi Pro is doin the work, He just finished a 6mm Dasher for me and I'm very happy with it. Just got the barrel broke in and started load tests. I had to go out to 400 yards for testing and so far the tightest group is 1.34" before I did any seating work.
I hope your knee mends so you can get shootin before it gets to cold. I hate doing load tests with frozen fingers.
 
Nope, no neck turning on that Lapua stuff. I've found that Lapua brass is quite consistent and turning these necks would be a futile exercise for the type of shooting that I do, the chamber dimensions, and my abilities. Frankly, any measurable improvement from this would likely be a miracle - at least in my hands. Nice to hear about your Dasher. 1.34 at 400? Good lord man! Hat's off! Best I've done is just a shade under 3/4" at my 264 yard target with my .243 M70 Coyote Lite and Berger 90 TBT. Giddy like a 13 year old girl after that one! Nicely done, sir!

Heated shooting shack? Who said that? Who the f$&* said that? Ha ha! Good on ya! My 11 year old daughter keeps bugging me that we should build a "shack" on the elevated 9' X 14' deck I put up for shooting prone. That way, it would keep the sun off us in the summer and, I don't know... play house or something, I guess. Bless her pre-teen heart. Heat would definitely be nice because like FLSTFO2 said, load testing and frozen fingers is almost contradictive. Do you have electricity at your location or are you using a gas type heater?

As for the knee, thank you. From what I've been told, it's quite a long, arduous recovery to get back to sports and muckin' around in the bush like I like to do. Winter conditions, being what they are, I don't think I can risk aggrevation or possible re-injury from something stupid like slipping / falling while climbing up to the deck to do some shooting. Think I'll just play it safe and wait until spring. Pass the kleenex please...
 
A heated shooting shack ? What a brilliant idea, the bells just went off, I have one in the back yard also known as the ice fishing shack with wood heat. Just have to make a shooting bench and a trap door on the end wall. So it's fishin and shootin this winter Hell I may have to quit my job.
I wonder if the noise from shooting will scare the fish LOL
 
358Rooster said:
Heated shooting shack? Who said that? Who the f$&* said that? Ha ha! Good on ya! My 11 year old daughter keeps bugging me that we should build a "shack" on the elevated 9' X 14' deck I put up for shooting prone. That way, it would keep the sun off us in the summer and, I don't know... play house or something, I guess. Bless her pre-teen heart. Heat would definitely be nice because like FLSTFO2 said, load testing and frozen fingers is almost contradictive. Do you have electricity at your location or are you using a gas type heater?
Click to expand...

I have Electricity, sometimes heat with electric, usually a propane wall mounted furnace/heater. Cabinets, lockers, shooting bench, accessory bench, etc... leave the rigging in there, just not the RL stuff or firearms... Have been thinking about putting a second press in there so I dont have to come into the house during load development.
 
Cleftwynd said:
I have Electricity, sometimes heat with electric, usually a propane wall mounted furnace/heater. Cabinets, lockers, shooting bench, accessory bench, etc... leave the rigging in there, just not the RL stuff or firearms... Have been thinking about putting a second press in there so I dont have to come into the house during load development.
Click to expand...

You sir, just made my hero list! How 'bout some pictures of that dreamy 'man shack'? It sounds devine. I could only dream....
 
I'll post in the other thread when I take some.... until then, back to the topic at hand! Sorry about the derail FLSTFO2!!
 
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