2013 F-TR Reamer...Chamber Question

[yukonal]

I'm setting up a new bunch of LAPUA brass for my new, unfired .308 F-TR rig.

My chamber neck (according to reamer print) measures .343"

My brass is all done, except for neck turning and measures .340"

Loaded round with a bullet seated measures the same, .340". I pushed it in with my fingers. There is slight tension, but very slight.

I could go ahead and size with a .338 neck bushing and it's off to the races.

My 2 questions are:

1) Is the 2013 F-TR reamer designed as a no-turn reamer?
2) Should I clean up the necks before I neck size and load them, or leave them alone and just load them up?

 

[Joe R]

I'm not sure what a 2013 F-TR reamer is. Mine supposedly is a 2013 F-TR reamer, but it has a .341 neck size, and then there is free bore which varies all over the place depending on the bullet that you are shooting.

 

[Scott Harris]

A .343 chamber neck is considered "no-turn" your loaded neck diam should be more like .338. How are you measuring ? Ive never heard of lapua brass measuring at.340

 

[Joe R]

Ive never heard of lapua brass measuring at.340

Scott,
I use a micrometer and I have seen Lapua brass necks vary from .014 to .016. Occasionally I've run across a .017. So .308+.016+.016= .340

Joe

 

[yukonal]

Outside neck diameter measured with a digital micrometer, right after running a K&M 308 neck expander mandrel thru the necks.

Thanks for the numbers, Joe.

 

[yukonal]

A .343 chamber neck is considered "no-turn" your loaded neck diam should be more like .338. How are you measuring ? Ive never heard of lapua brass measuring at.340

As I haven't sized it yet, if I use a .338 neck bushing, spring back should put loaded neck at about .339" That should, in theory, give me .001" neck tension on loaded round.

 

[yukonal]

I'm not sure what a 2013 F-TR reamer is.

Joe, it's a specific reamer, with specific dimensions, that was designed by/for the US 2013 F-TR team. Made by PT&G. Several people here on the forum recommended it to me when I built this new rifle. So I had one made, and chambered this new barrel with it.

I'm just getting the break in/preliminary load work rounds loaded up.

 

[gsg5pk]

This is the print

My load round of Lapua unturned brass was .338"

 

[Joe R]

Yukonal,
You've omitted a critical piece of information, what bullet are you planning on using?

Joe, it's a specific reamer, with specific dimensions, that was designed by/for the US 2013 F-TR team. Made by PT&G. Several people here on the forum recommended it to me when I built this new rifle. So I had one made, and chambered this new barrel with it.

I'm just getting the break in/preliminary load work rounds loaded up.

I have seen 4-5 reamer prints from PT&G all labeled as 2013 US FTR but all have variations on throat, lead, neck, etc... If you compare your .343 print to qsq5pk's print you may find differences. I'm not saying one is better than the other, just different.

Joe

 

[yukonal]

185 Hybrids. And it's throated PLENTY LONG for them. I have a print, I'll compare info a little later. Thanks!

 

[280man]

The original reamer print was a no turn neck.

It is a great reamer and needs no improvement in my opinion. The throat is perfect for 185 LRBTs and 200 Hybrids.

 

[yukonal]

The junction of the boattail/bearing surface is 1/2 way up the neck with 185's. I'd say it's perfect for 200's. The throat is a little longer than I'm used to, for the intended bullet, but I bet it's just fine. I'll know tomorrow.

 

[lloydx2]

.170 Free bore. Throated for 200+ grain bullets. Lots of bullet and powder
185s will work Ok for a while. Maybe someone else can chime in and add to this.
I am not FTR shooter and technology keeps changing (quickly)
I could be out of date on this one?