Which Neck Turning Tool?

[Papa Charlie]

Looking to up my reloading game by adding neck turning to the process. I am shooting .308 and use Lapua Winchester Brass, Berger 185gr Juggernauts and Varget powder. Been doing pretty good but believe that adding neck turning would improve on the accuracy.

Never have done neck turning, looking for some recommendations on the best tools. Also, read about Alex Wheeler's dial indicator modification. Knowing the values of each cut seems much more logical than the touch and measure process of the systems I have seen. Does anyone know of these available.

 

[Comrade Terry]

I recommend http://www.xxicsi.com/neck-turning-lathe-complete.html

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I also use the 21st Century neck turning tool and am very happy with it. Very precise and consistent.

If you don't want to spend all the money on the mini lathe setup, just buy the case holder with drill adapter and run them in your cordless drill and neck turner by hand.

I also use the Redding concentricity gauge to measure and verify neck wall thickness. A must have for matching brass to a chamber if running a tight neck reamer.

 

[kcjim]

I use the PMA neck turning tool. I turn by hand. It takes some time, but I am very happy with the results.

 

[TerryH]

Zero experience with anything else but the 21st Century works great. Setup was straight forward. Results are very consistent. Powering it with my cordless drill.

 

[Medic505]

I recommend http://www.xxicsi.com/neck-turning-lathe-complete.html

The only choice in my book.

 

[LHSmith]

Other brands that will produce precision results suitable for competition -1/ Sinclair NT-4000 model and 2/ K&M tools. I would steer away from RCBS, Hornady, Forster, and the cheaper Sinclairs. The best upgrade to whichever make you choose will be a carbide turning mandrel - it will make getting great results so much easier.

 

[Davidb187]

I bought the 21st Century tool and never look back. Costly with the money change and shipping since i'm Canadian but well worth it in my book.

 

[JRS]

PMA, 21st Century, Nielson, Sinclair or K&M. They all work great. It comes down to personal preference and how fancy you want the tool to look.

 

[BP1]

I started with the k&m and switched to the 21st now the k&m collect’s dust.Don’t forget the expanding mandrel.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I have a few different turning tools because I like to leave them setup for a gun.. I do feel the PMA cuts/feels/functions the best...


Ray

 

[Shynloco]

I've tried and used several over the years, but the 21st Century Lathe (see Comrade Terry's post above) has been the best of all and produces very consistent cuts and results time after time. IMHO no hand turners can compare.

Alex

 

[dcali]

Whatever you get, get carbide turning mandrels. Don't be put off by the price tag - they're worth every penny.

I use a Sinclair 4000 - it's great. The old (cheaper) Sinclair model is a pain in the rear by comparison. I haven't used anything else, and I honestly can't see the point of the "lathe" type setups. To me, it seems better to let the case head float.

 

[Terry]

I finally purchased Don Nielson's Pumpkin turner. The best. You can dial neck diameter by .0001. The matching expander and turning mandrels ensure a good fit. Having used it I'd hate to go back.

 

[retired]

i have several turners. this is what i use.
i do both hand turning and sometime mounted in my lathe for power turning.
as others have mentioned carbide expander and turning mandrels.

I finally purchased Don Nielson's Pumpkin turner. The best. You can dial neck diameter by .0001. The matching expander and turning mandrels ensure a good fit. Having used it I'd hate to go back.

 

[Alexander-M]

Another enthusiastic vote for XXI-Century!
Alex

 

[smokinghole]

I don't have anything to compare but based on comments here I went with a PMA Tool setup. I almost had to, I felt, with my RP SAUM cases even for basic hunting loads.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I opted PMA because it was the cost of the lathe setup less than the 21st Century, granted it can be hand held I guess. I do like how the mandrel adjusts in or out from the cutting head vs the cutting blade being adjustable. As a neck turning amateur I get good results, I even got a neck concentricity setup to show me how well the PMA works.

 

[Mozella]

I also use the 21st Century neck turning tool and am very happy with it. Very precise and consistent.

If you don't want to spend all the money on the mini lathe setup, just buy the case holder with drill adapter and run them in your cordless drill and neck turner by hand......... snip...............

Yes, you CAN do this, but the lathe set up is so very nice that I would strongly recommend that the OP buy it for his wife and ask to borrow it to go with your new 21st Century cutter head.

Most posts about neck turning have multiple complaints about how much people hate it. It's tedious enough that many folks refuse to do it.

The 21st Century lathe and cutter set up makes it a MUCH nicer process than it might otherwise be. I like using mine.

 

[TerryH]

Yes, you CAN do this, but the lathe set up is so very nice that I would strongly recommend that the OP buy it for his wife and ask to borrow it to go with your new 21st Century cutter head.

Most posts about neck turning have multiple complaints about how much people hate it. It's tedious enough that many folks refuse to do it.

The 21st Century lathe and cutter set up makes it a MUCH nicer process than it might otherwise be. I like using mine.

Just a newbie but I agree. I find the 21st Century a pleasure to use. Takes less than a minute to expand and turn a case neck. And the results are impressive.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Look at the Benchrite Case Lathe for your power source. It is a pleasure to use.....Much like the FX-Autotrickler scale set up it will set you back a few bucks but it will soon be forgotten once you start using it.....

Best Regards
Rick