Need some help turning case necks.

jtoews80 · Aug 14, 2008

I had a barrel made in a 264 Pac-Nor, just a tight chambered 264 win. Now I thought I may just have to use small base dies if the cases wouldn't chamber after firing once, but the neck is around .001 or.0015 too tight to allow a loaded round to chamber. It will chamber a new brass, but not with a bullet seated.

I have looked at neck turning equipment and think the Sinclair NT-3000 kit looks pretty good. Problem is, I haven't used any neck turning equipment before and could use any tips or advise you have got. Is this kit a good one, or shoud I look at the forester stuff???

CC.

6ppcar · Aug 14, 2008

Whats the neck dia of a loaded round?

jtoews80 · Aug 14, 2008

0.293 loaded with a .264 140 grn SMK. New brass diamension is 0.290 or 0.291. I think I only need to remove a thou or so, not much. How much do I want to take off the necks?? Just enough to chamber, or go 0.0005" more to ease loading and reduce the chance of deforming the bullet while chambering?? Thanks.

CC.

Savage Fanatic · Jan 22, 2010

Here is a good article on neck turning. http://www.6mmbr.com/neckturningbasics.html

First thing I would do is either get in touch with the manufacture that made the barrel, and ask what the dimensional specs are for the chamber. Or make a cast of the the chamber to find out what are the dimensions of the neck.

But "just from what I read" It sounds like they didn't use a "No Turn Reamer" when they cut your chamber. If that's the case, your going to need to start off by taking off a good .0010-.0015" which will bring your neck wall thickness down to around .0135-.013. Which will bring your loaded neck dimension down to .291-.290. If it still feels a little tight, take off another .0005 from there.

Many BR shooters swear by K&M when it comes to neck turning. http://www.kmshooting.com/index.php

Just as an advanced warning....Neck turning isn't for those with an impatient will.

Do a search here http://www.accurateshooter.com/forum/ and you will find hours of reading in regards to neck turning.

jtoews80 · Jan 22, 2010

0.001-0.0015, that is exactly what it ended up being. The barrel was chambered with a "turn" reamer not a no turn.
It shoots pretty good, but is a bit of a bother to case prep for. My only issue with it is I have 1-8.5 twist and can't seem to get over 3050FPS with 140 grn Bergers or SMK's.

JT.

Savage Fanatic · Jan 22, 2010

Cause looking at the chamber print for a .264 Win. they should have reamed the neck to approx .300-.301"

Considering the velocity that your achieving that's remarkable. When you compare it to most factory loads that are averaging at 2700-2800fps.

What loads have you tried so far?

jtoews80 · Jan 23, 2010

If I jump the Berger VLD 0.1-0.2" it can shoot .2-3 MOA @ 3040FPS
Charge is 77 grn of WC 860. If I leave them closer to the lands and try to get 78 grain it makes the bolt tight and is overlaoded as far as I am concerned.

JT