Do I have enough neck clearance?

[fatelvis]

I just put a Shilen 6BR barrel on my RPR, and after firing virgin Lapua brass with medium hotness loads, I can just barely slide a 6mm bullet into the fired necks. They don't "fall" into the fired brass, they need to have the bullet gently pushed into them. Is this enough clearance, or do I need to turn the necks? Thanks!

 

[Murray Brook]

I would think you are ok. I have a .2725 neck on my 6br and bullets seat in the fired cases (Lapua) same as you posted. All good after 600 rounds.

 

[PopCharlie]

It's hard to say with the info you have provided. I have a custom 6br built with a Bartlein barrel. It has a .266 neck. I turn necks on my Lapua cases to .010. Loaded rounds are .2635 to .264 OD. What is the diameter of the neck in your chamber?
For my rifle, .002 clearance works really well.

PopCharlie

 

[mr45man]

I just put a Shilen 6BR barrel on my RPR, and after firing virgin Lapua brass with medium hotness loads, I can just barely slide a 6mm bullet into the fired necks. They don't "fall" into the fired brass, they need to have the bullet gently pushed into them. Is this enough clearance, or do I need to turn the necks? Thanks!

Spring back of brass.

 

[rwj]

Were you satisfied with the score/group size?

 

[dhagerty40]

First, Lapua brass has very soft necks and I have found that if your Bolt has an ejector, it will dent the new brass and will show being tight. I have found that it takes 3-5 times loaded before they stop denting.

But, I will pass on as it just happened to me. my 6BR has a .271 neck. and this last time I got lazy and loaded a new box of brass without checking necks of a loaded round. On the Third shot, I blew out a primer. when I checked the rounds, they measured between .269-.270 with a bullet loaded. I checked against my old brass and they measured .267-.268. comes out the new brass is .001-.002" thicker than old brass. So, I will now neck turn all my brass for this gun.

OK, I and done rambling...

sounds like though they did not tell you what the neck was on your chamber.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Measure the neck of a fired piece of brass and then measure the neck of a loaded round, should get you close to what you need to know

 

[fatelvis]

Th

First, Lapua brass has very soft necks and I have found that if your Bolt has an ejector, it will dent the new brass and will show being tight. I have found that it takes 3-5 times loaded before they stop denting.

But, I will pass on as it just happened to me. my 6BR has a .271 neck. and this last time I got lazy and loaded a new box of brass without checking necks of a loaded round. On the Third shot, I blew out a primer. when I checked the rounds, they measured between .269-.270 with a bullet loaded. I checked against my old brass and they measured .267-.268. comes out the new brass is .001-.002" thicker than old brass. So, I will now neck turn all my brass for this gun.

OK, I and done rambling...

sounds like though they did not tell you what the neck was on your chamber.

They didn't tell me the neck of the chamber.

 

[fatelvis]

Measure the neck of a fired piece of brass and then measure the neck of a loaded round, should get you close to what you need to know

I will do that as soon as I unpack from moving tomorrow. Oh the joys of moving! Lol

 

[joshb]

Put it aside and finish moving! Divided attention will just cause you grief! You need to know your chamber dimensions. Cast it or call whoever chambered it. The neck should ALWAYS be etched on a custom barrel. I would never load for an unknown chamber.