Suggestions on Tuners

[WSMNUT]

I have decided to try a tuner on my next build. Build specs are as follows
Bat B 1.550
Krieger 1.250" Straight 1-8" .237 bore 28" finish
McMillan Kestros
6 BRA chamber

Rifle will be dual purposed for 600 yard F-Class and 600/1000 HG Benchrest

I have never used or installed a tuner as of yet. This is a foreign language to me and I want to do this right the first time.

I am asking for real experience on the matter. What brand and why?

I have all of the parts and will be building/retooling a new 284 Shehane for 1,000 F-Open this winter and if the tuner works well on my 6BRA then I want to try one on my 284 as well.

I have been seeing and hearing of more people (VERY competitive) people running tuners on the Open rigs and BR rigs.

Thanks for your help
Zack (WSMNUT)

 

[mikeeg02]

I like my tuner I have a lot, Its similar to the bukys style I think they are called, and I only adjust the brass ring. I do not do the course adjustment. I believe standard load development should be done first. @ridgeway Makes them, is usually quick about it, and is an all around good guy. Charlie (@ridgeway ) also uses his own tuners. So thats a good sign lol. Heres one he made that I picked up for my brother. I like the additional knurling he did, it makes them a lot easier to grip. Great workmanship.

 

[WSMNUT]

Thanks @mikeeg02 I was looking at the bukys tuners on Bullet Central. I will PM @ridgeway and ask about his tuner as I am very intrigued by it.

 

[mikeeg02]

I have them on my 6 and 6.5 barrels. Depending on how much you turn them, they can appear to change like seating or like powder in the little bit of testing I've done across a couple barrels. Its really useful when you go to the range, think you're on your powder charge and want to do a seating depth test and forget your die or arbor press. You just move forward with the tuner test The 6 I shoot at 1k paper, and it seems to work for me.

 

[BenPerfected]

Check out Mike Ezell’s tuners, I have one on every CF gun and barrel. Just pick your best load and then thread the barrel for the tuner. Most any tuner in the 7oz range will work but Mikes tuner is very easy to read and secure in place.
Ben

 

[mikeeg02]

Also,

I dont feel there is really any black magic to tuners that I can tell. You move a weight up and down the barrel (ever so slightly) adjusting barrel harmonics. There is however a craftsmanship, and useable index value difference between some that make them.

Your best bet is to talk with a couple of the guys who make them, and make your decision based on the information they provide to you, and try to make sure it wont be a problem to get more in the future. I am pretty certain once you have one, everything you have done will end up wearing one too. So when it comes time to get an additional one, youll want it to be the same because you're familiar with it(and interchangeability).

I believe both Charlie and Mike Ezell will treat you right in the above mentioned aspects. Some of the other tuner manufacturers can end up giving you a little bit of trouble. That statement is from both first hand experience, and from others I have talked with. Charlie and I go back and forth and share information quite a bit. While I have never personally dealt with Mike Ezell, he is very helpful and forthcoming with information on his methodology with how he uses his tuner.

Hope that helps a little more.

 

[WSMNUT]

Thanks for the help and for the information. I’m very ignorant to tuners to but want to try something a little different and see how it works out.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Thanks for the help and for the information. I’m very ignorant to tuners to but want to try something a little different and see how it works out.

pm me if I can be of any help.--Mike Ezell

 

[beemanjohn]

I have an Ezell tuner on my 6BR and I don't think I will ever not have one on a gun again. I find my best load without moving the tuner, and then move it as the temp go's up and down. And I can tell you Mike is a great guy to deal with. He does business the old school way. Love it.

 

[WSMNUT]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I have a couple of options and a couple of great guys to deal with

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ezell for sure

 

[Ccrider]

Like others have said, tune the load first and then use the tuner. Ezell tuners are user friendly and if you have any questions, Mike is just a phone call or post away. Great guy.

Btw, hit him up for some wind flags first of you do not have any. You will not regret it.

 

[Nature Boy]

I got my first tuner (Mike Ezell) a couple of months ago for a 6BRA that I shoot in F Class.

Put it on and followed Mike’s instructions and found a setting that netted positive and repeatable results.

Shot two practice F class matches at 600 yards and scored a 200 x14 and 200 x11

Now, my rifle has been shooting scores like this without a tuner so what I would hope to see is the ability to adjust it when conditions change to keep it in tune.

Being new to this I’m still learning

 

[TrxR]

You guys in the US are lucky. I was thinking about trying a tuner on a 30br project but cant seem to find anything in canada or someone to deal with an export/import company.

 

[ridgeway]

You guys in the US are lucky. I was thinking about trying a tuner on a 30br project but cant seem to find anything in canada or someone to deal with an export/import company.

Make friends with a machinist or a local shop and make one...or a few

 

[TrxR]

Make friends with a machinist or a local shop and make one...or a few

If i had one to look at to see how they were constructed i probably would.

Whats the rubber around the tuner above from?

 

[Medic505]

You guys in the US are lucky. I was thinking about trying a tuner on a 30br project but cant seem to find anything in canada or someone to deal with an export/import company.

What Mikeeg02 and Ridgeway said. Remember, for the most part it's just a weight. Ezell craftsmanship is superb. I'm sure the Buky"s is too, never had my hands on one. Ezell turners work really well.

 

[AckleymanII]

Ezel tunner....call it done...dumb butt simple....no rocket science involved

look yourself in the mirror after installing one of Ezel tuners...where the hell have I been??????

 

[TrxR]

With a most rimfire tuners ive seen there is a fixed portion that attaches to the barrel and a movable portion on it. Now with the centerfire tuners is the whole tuner being moved on the threads of the barrel or is there a piece that stays fixed?

 

[SSeal]

Ezell tuners move on the threaded barrel.