To Turn Necks or Not ?

[tom]

Those of us that turn necks still find cases that are high and low outliers when sorted over the chronograph as well. Just FYI for those reading......just thought I'd throw that out there.

Tom

 

[BartsBullets]

No I don’t. Especially for 600/1000 yard Benchrest. You have to find the outliers otherwise you’ll get a surprise and not the good kind.

Bart

Bart, how much variance will you accept when sorting your cases by velocity? And do you discard a case at the first out of spec velocity or do you load it again to verify that it does not meet spec?
Thanks in advance,

Joe

Joe,

3 to 5 feet with-in a set of brass. Cases that are out of spec I’ll reshoot just to make sure. Those that are out of spec get marked and used as barrel foulers.

Bart

 

[JFrank]

@BartsBullets
I don’t want to assume so a question if I may ask is, at what stage do you sort this brass by fps?

 

[JoeDuke]

Thank you Bart!

 

[BartsBullets]

@BartsBullets
I don’t want to assume so a question if I may ask is, at what stage do you sort this brass by fps?

SPJ,

At least 2 firings. Then prep the brass like you would for a match.
Bart

 

[JFrank]

Thanks Bart, I appreciate the information, I need to break out some new brass soon and get them tuned up.
Jim

 

[fatelvis]

Do you turn the necks on virgin brass? If not, after how many firings? I assume after trimming first? Thanks.

 

[Dave Way]

Do you turn the necks on virgin brass? If not, after how many firings? I assume after trimming first? Thanks.

I turn brass before the first firing because I run tight necked chambers. I also re-turn necks if a doughnut develops. This is generally after six or more firings. Size the brass, then run it over the expander pushing the doughnut to the outside, then turn.

Yes, I trim to length first because my trimmer indexes off the case mouth.

Freshly turned necks are a thing of beauty! Yeah, I know, I’m weird.



Dave.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I trim brass before the first firing because I run tight necked chambers. I also re-turn necks if a doughnut develops. This is generally after six or more firings. Size the brass, then run it over the expander pushing the doughnut to the outside, then turn.

Yes, I trim to length first because my trimmer indexes off the case mouth.

Freshly turned necks are a thing of beauty! Yeah, I know, I’m weird.

View attachment 1308613

Dave.

I guess it doesn't matter if the amount of cut into the shoulder junction varies like can be seen on those on the front-left???

This happens because virgin brass often has variations in the measurements from base to shoulder datum, sometimes there can be significant difference, though quality brass like Lapua it's minimal. Such a variation is why I like to turn after 1st firing or after they're fire formed so that the cut into the neck junction is more consistent.

 

[Dave Way]

I guess it doesn't matter if the amount of cut into the shoulder junction varies like can be seen on those on the front-left???

This happens because virgin brass often has variations in the measurements from base to shoulder datum, sometimes there can be significant difference, though quality brass like Lapua it's minimal. Such a variation is why I like to turn after 1st firing or after they're fire formed so that the cut into the neck junction is more consistent.

That cut into the shoulder can be misleading. The cutter angle matches the shoulder angle. You can’t even feel the cut with your fingernail.

You are correct that the cases would be more uniform after firing the but I don’t have that option with tight neck chambers.

Dave.

 

[Mulligan]

So the way I look at it is this, I spend several thousand dollars on a new rifle. I then spend 2-3K on a premium scope. Now add in the best components available in the world, they are not cheap either. I then spend a bunch of money for the most stable rest I can find. Don't forget to add in the expense of traveling long distances to matches. Then I sort my premium hand made bullets even though some say it isn't necessary, even weigh my primers. I refine even the smallest little things in my loading practices, after analyzing at all the processes, to promote extreme accuracy.

Now I'm going to take brass, which I can measure and see that it can be improved on, and leave it alone when my goal is to produce some of the most accurate ammunition in the world?

I'm sorry but that just isn't going to happen.

Dave.

I am re-reading this old thread and this post cracked me up.

I’m struggling to get a “ no turn” ppc to shoot small aggs. It winks once in a while, but she won’t close the deal. So I am reading all I can as I ponder another reamer or re-grind.

Dave, thanks for laugh.
CW

 

[BartsBullets]

I am re-reading this old thread and this post cracked me up.

I’m struggling to get a “ no turn” ppc to shoot small aggs. It winks once in a while, but she won’t close the deal. So I am reading all I can as I ponder another reamer or re-grind.

Dave, thanks for laugh.
CW

Clay

Is it the chamber not closing the deal or perhaps something the shooter is doing or not doing?

Bart

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I have nothing but good things to say after going no-turn on my short range rifles.

 

[Mulligan]

Clay

Is it the chamber not closing the deal or perhaps something the shooter is doing or not doing?

Bart

Bart

It is likely me

But I question everything …. Just the way I’m wired.

One of the issues I seen recently was really long Fu Man chu smoke stains down the sides of my cases.
I pondered it a bit and went back to the range and tested a few things.

I have concluded (right or wrong) that the case mouth did not seal due to light loads.

The same brass sealed up just fine with a full house charge and smoked up again with a light load.

Just me learning……

In this dry-arsed climate, light loads are the norm some days.

Thanks for all your help Bart

CW

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Bart

It is likely me

But I question everything …. Just the way I’m wired.

One of the issues I seen recently was really long Fu Man chu smoke stains down the sides of my cases.
I pondered it a bit and went back to the range and tested a few things.

I have concluded (right or wrong) that the case mouth did not seal due to light loads.

The same brass sealed up just fine with a full house charge and smoked up again with a light load.

Just me learning……

In this dry-arsed climate, light loads are the norm some days.

Thanks for all your help Bart

CW

I will say, I don't get the same wave on my case necks that so many people look for but I stopped worrying about it and just take what the target gives me. Probably related to the thicker necks and also, in my case, a little bit shorter necks with a 6 Grendel vs a ppc or br neck. Not sure how much that plays into it but even before I went no turn, the case never has really given me that clear sine wave that I use to look for. But even my tight neck reamers for it are .271, so still pretty thick even after turning for that neck. I've already forgotten the numbers but I think I was turning for a .2685 loaded round, fwiw. Like I said though, it shoots and that means more to me than a soot pattern on the case necks.