22 LR reamer

[wkdickinson]

It's not like I've compared the EPS & 52D reamers against each other in the same rifle. I tried using the EPS on a barrel for the RimX, and found that it didn't feed worth a darn, never really got a chance to shoot it with the EPS chamber because of the feeding issue. Knowing that the 52D was .003" larger at the back or base of the chamber, I tried re-cutting the EPS chamber with the larger reamer. It fed a lot better with the larger at the rear 52D re-cut chamber, but accuracy wasn't what I was hoping for. So a couple of days ago, I set that Green Mountain bbl back .800" and re-cut the tenon, which resulted in a completely new chamber, cut from start to finish with the 52D reamer. The bbl is still just over 23" long, and seems to shoot better now than it did with the 'hybrid' (for lack of a better term) chamber. The weather wasn't that nice yesterday afternoon - 12mph wind from 1:00-2:00, temp 48*-50*, but the rifle showed definite improvement over how it shot before. Am looking forward to shooting it again with lighter wind & warmer temps. It sure feeds nice now...

I've used the EPS reamer on three V22 repeaters, as well as on a couple of Shilen ratchet barrels I've installed on CZ 457 actions, and they all feed really well with that chamber. They also shoot really well with the EPS chamber. Unless/until someone shows me a better chamber for use with primarily SK/Lapua ammo in magazine fed repeaters, I'll stick with it. I've not tried the Nevius chamber on a repeater, so can't comment on it in that application.

I built a new rifle last summer on a RimX action, with a Shilen "ratchet" barrel and used a PTG "Nevius" reamer. From talking with Lee, I cut the chamber to engrave about 0.040". Also after cutting the chamber, while the barrel was still in the lathe, I "broke" the sharp edge at the breach with some 600 grit emery cloth. The rifle feeds perfectly and is shooting amazingly well. It will shoot "cleans", 10-shots, on a 1" 10-ring target at 100 yds. with CX, if I do my part.

 

[USMCDOC]

I built a new rifle last summer on a RimX action, with a Shilen "ratchet" barrel and used a PTG "Nevius" reamer. From talking with Lee, I cut the chamber to engrave about 0.040". Also after cutting the chamber, while the barrel was still in the lathe, I "broke" the sharp edge at the breach with some 600 grit emery cloth. The rifle feeds perfectly and is shooting amazingly well. It will shoot "cleans", 10-shots, on a 1" 10-ring target at 100 yds. with CX, if I do my part.

Are you just keeping them inside the center ring? Or are you keeping them at 3/4 or less moa group?

 

[flatlander]

I built a new rifle last summer on a RimX action, with a Shilen "ratchet" barrel and used a PTG "Nevius" reamer. From talking with Lee, I cut the chamber to engrave about 0.040". Also after cutting the chamber, while the barrel was still in the lathe, I "broke" the sharp edge at the breach with some 600 grit emery cloth. The rifle feeds perfectly and is shooting amazingly well. It will shoot "cleans", 10-shots, on a 1" 10-ring target at 100 yds. with CX, if I do my part.

I saw a post from someone several months ago that intended to use the Nevius reamer on his RimX, and after having the feeding issues I spoke of with a barrel chambered with my EPS reamer, I couldn't help but shudder a bit, and wish him luck. That EPS reamer cuts a radius at the mouth of the chamber, and I've always used a fine cratex rod to further polish that cut radius - works great in my V22 & CZ 457s, but as mentioned, not at all in the RimX. I don't know if my RimX action is more problematic in this respect than yours, but I've got just about all the experience working with it that I want. I really like not having to cut extractor slots in RimX barrels, and this one does feed really smoothly with the 52D chamber. Hopefully it'll shoot really well once the weather warms up a bit - only time will tell. Ray at Zermatt has told me personally that he really prefers chambers for the RimX to have a rear diameter of .228" or larger for feeding purposes.

 

[padom]

Ive had zero feeding issues with my 22LR custom reamer which uses a 0.2253" straight body diameter with a highly polished chamber and mouth chamfer. I know of 3 smiths that have cut 100s of RimX barrels to date with this reamer and it feeds great with quality match ammo and is stupid accurate.

Biggest issue Ive seen with people having feeding issues out of the gate with the RimX is not properly adjusting mag height with the built in RimX mag adjustment per Zermatt. Most people get their new gun or barreled action and run to the range, glossing over this part...

 

[Greg@wfcustom]

Are you asking about the quality of the reamer construction or the design specifications?

if design, not sure it can be called the best. but I have a JGS Nevius reamer and it is great for shooting Lapua

Lee

As do I, and JGS is great to work with!
But I may be biased, they have been doing my reamers for decades.
I have done 6 barrels so far with this reamer and they all have found ammo that is competitive.
( at least competitive in our windy little corner of the world).
Personally I agree with Lee and like to set the engraving to .035 and find that usually works well.
Four of these barrels have been to the test center and given the current state of ammo, although not the greatest lots ever ammo was found to purchase.
One of these barrels has a lot of Eley Black Box it shoots well, so maybe this reamer isn't "Lapua only".
Just my opinion/experience, worth what I charge.
G

 

[wkdickinson]

Are you just keeping them inside the center ring? Or are you keeping them at 3/4 or less moa group?

Shooting 20+ "X's" (.5" x-ring) often - 40 shots.

 

[wkdickinson]

I saw a post from someone several months ago that intended to use the Nevius reamer on his RimX, and after having the feeding issues I spoke of with a barrel chambered with my EPS reamer, I couldn't help but shudder a bit, and wish him luck. That EPS reamer cuts a radius at the mouth of the chamber, and I've always used a fine cratex rod to further polish that cut radius - works great in my V22 & CZ 457s, but as mentioned, not at all in the RimX. I don't know if my RimX action is more problematic in this respect than yours, but I've got just about all the experience working with it that I want. I really like not having to cut extractor slots in RimX barrels, and this one does feed really smoothly with the 52D chamber. Hopefully it'll shoot really well once the weather warms up a bit - only time will tell. Ray at Zermatt has told me personally that he really prefers chambers for the RimX to have a rear diameter of .228" or larger for feeding purposes.

I will be totally honest - this is the first RF rifle I have ever built and only the second chamber I have ever cut (I did a 308 a year or so ago). I spent a lot of time measuring and being trying to be really exact, on the RimX project, but I think I got really lucky and everything just works amazingly well - because it sure wasn't experience that got me there.

 

[flatlander]

padom, you've got a ton of experience with a wide range of different makes of barrels in RimX actions - or is most of it just in one action? I've read through all the many posts about it over on the Hide, and I respect your opinions. But after I cut the EPS chamber I spoke of in a GM blank, I worked pretty hard to find a mag latch adjustment to make that chamber work, and finally gave it up. Never did find a latch setting in either of my two magazines that worked. So as much as I wanted that barrel to work as well with the EPS chamber as my Vudoo V22 repeaters do, I finally gave up and did the bbl set-back as detailed above. Wish I knew why this is, because there have been so many positive posts from a whole bunch of shooters who own RimX actions.

I've mentioned before that I wanted to try a RimX (even after having very positive experiences with several Vudoo repeaters and being very satisfied with them) because I've built several good rifles on both A.J.'s original Bighorn & Zermatt Bighorn actions, and have always enjoyed shooting them. And I really wanted to find out if an action designed to work reliably without having to cut extractor slots would reliably work in competition. Am really looking forward to getting several days of warmer weather out here, along with mild winds so I can get more ammo through this bbl with the 52D chamber - enough to at least form a meaningful opinion as to whether it's going to shoot with fine accuracy or not.

 

[moondog]

I've been shooting a Gen1 Vudoo for a long time. I really like it and have had zero issues with feeding, ignition, extraction, or accuracy with the right ammo. I liked the idea of the no extractor cut in the RimX and got one early on. Problems from the start. Feeding issues, got that resolved with a different chamber, ignition issues, got that resolved with a modification to the firing pin, extraction issues, got that resolved with a bag of the extractor shoes.
They are as delicate as egg shells. You chip one cause you didn't notice a shell didn't clear and tried to chamber another!
It cost me to many points at matches. After I got it all sorted, I traded for another Vudoo. Still like the concept, just not the execution. Also took it to the Lapua test center to get tested. I hung out for the day bullsh!ting with Luke. He said it was rare to see a Rimx shoot inside a Vudoo. They see a crapload of rifles come through.

 

[mblocal6]

I shoot BR club RBA and ARA UL the Nevius reamer is used to provide 0.030-0.040 engraving. I also measure the OAL of the ammo knowing both the engraving length and AOL I can find which OAL shoots the best and also learn why fliers occur. IMO more engraving makes the barrel more lot sensitive.

Lee

Can you please elaborate on you comment about why fliers occur

 

[mblocal6]

I'm going to purchase the nevius reamer jgs has a none in stock but ptg has, so who makes the better reamer???

 

[Steve morgan]

Wrong, Elephant hole.

10 elephant hole

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

because I sort by AOL as measured

Can you please elaborate on you comment about why fliers occur

Because I measure AOL from the rim face to the Ogive I noticed a common occurrence. overly long or short AOL is where I see shots go high or low outside a group. these are the fliers I am speaking of in my case.
of about 20-25,000 rounds I have sorted I noticed the best shooting lots have very few if any of these way off AOL. and will sort in groups of AOL within 0.010 or less. and will have a majority group length with 75-85% out of 500 rounds. which means 425 rounds will be under 0.010 spread I consider 0.005 to be a non-factor when sorting. so, I may have sorted groups of 0.0700-0.705 as an example.
In perspective my rifles like AOL from 0.705-0.725 any round measured that is more than plus or minus 0.015 will be these rounds that shoot high or low. I have found some lots with as much as 0.045+ or 0.045- but even when they are sorted and grouped together, they are predictable on how they shoot.

I been seeing something interesting lately on new lots I have gotten. they seem to be larger in diameter. I say this because some short AOL of 0.660 are a little bit harder to close the bolt on them. in the past these were very easy to close the bolt on. so, I have to think the diameter is larger.
remember keep in mind I am speaking about my rifles and what I see as fliers and why they occur. someone else's may be something different that is the cause.

Lee

 

[Greg@wfcustom]

I'm going to purchase the nevius reamer jgs has a none in stock but ptg has, so who makes the better reamer???

JGS
Plus a great company that actually follows through with what they tell you.
JMHO

 

[mblocal6]

because I sort by AOL as measured

Because I measure AOL from the rim face to the Ogive I noticed a common occurrence. overly long or short AOL is where I see shots go high or low outside a group. these are the fliers I am speaking of in my case.
of about 20-25,000 rounds I have sorted I noticed the best shooting lots have very few if any of these way off AOL. and will sort in groups of AOL within 0.010 or less. and will have a majority group length with 75-85% out of 500 rounds. which means 425 rounds will be under 0.010 spread I consider 0.005 to be a non-factor when sorting. so, I may have sorted groups of 0.0700-0.705 as an example.
In perspective my rifles like AOL from 0.705-0.725 any round measured that is more than plus or minus 0.015 will be these rounds that shoot high or low. I have found some lots with as much as 0.045+ or 0.045- but even when they are sorted and grouped together, they are predictable on how they shoot.

I been seeing something interesting lately on new lots I have gotten. they seem to be larger in diameter. I say this because some short AOL of 0.660 are a little bit harder to close the bolt on them. in the past these were very easy to close the bolt on. so, I have to think the diameter is larger.
remember keep in mind I am speaking about my rifles and what I see as fliers and why they occur. someone else's may be something different that is the cause.

Lee

Lee thanks very much for explaining that to me,I've only been shooting BR for a short time and there are so many variables that can make your score go up or down this helps me understand yet another piece of the puzzle. Thanks again for sharing.

 

[Tony K Harper]

because I sort by AOL as measured

Because I measure AOL from the rim face to the Ogive I noticed a common occurrence. overly long or short AOL is where I see shots go high or low outside a group. these are the fliers I am speaking of in my case.
of about 20-25,000 rounds I have sorted I noticed the best shooting lots have very few if any of these way off AOL. and will sort in groups of AOL within 0.010 or less. and will have a majority group length with 75-85% out of 500 rounds. which means 425 rounds will be under 0.010 spread I consider 0.005 to be a non-factor when sorting. so, I may have sorted groups of 0.0700-0.705 as an example.
In perspective my rifles like AOL from 0.705-0.725 any round measured that is more than plus or minus 0.015 will be these rounds that shoot high or low. I have found some lots with as much as 0.045+ or 0.045- but even when they are sorted and grouped together, they are predictable on how they shoot.

I been seeing something interesting lately on new lots I have gotten. they seem to be larger in diameter. I say this because some short AOL of 0.660 are a little bit harder to close the bolt on them. in the past these were very easy to close the bolt on. so, I have to think the diameter is larger.
remember keep in mind I am speaking about my rifles and what I see as fliers and why they occur. someone else's may be something different that is the cause.

Lee

Lee,

Your experience is the same as mine. The overall length difference is why I now cut the depth of my chambers for the lot number of ammo I plan to shoot. To do that I take an average of the lengths of the lot. Of course, the problem is when I run out of that lot number, I've got to hope to find another lot that is consistent and averages the same. I too am seeing either larger diameter bullets or the lube isn't as good on some rounds. Gone are the days when Eley bullets had so much lube you had to wipe it out of your port.

I'm not suggesting one has to go to this trouble. You can always just shoot it a see if it works. If it does you are home free. Probably more than 90 percent of the time you will be just fine. It's that last 10 percent that can drive you crazy.

TKH

 

[TRSR8]

Tony, do you find cutting chambers for a given OAL can be more or less critical given certain barrel configurations, say, a MI barrel vs 6 groove?

 

[Tony K Harper]

Tony, do you find cutting chambers for a given OAL can be more or less critical given certain barrel configurations, say, a MI barrel vs 6 groove?

For me it is critical for any barrel regardless of configuration. That is not saying the same depth is good for all barrels. My objective with a chamber is to upset the bullet as little as possible while ensuring the rifling can spin the bullet properly. If the bullet is not fully engraved as it is chambered it certainly will be when the trigger is pulled.

The question you have to ask yourself is does it matter if you engrave it when you load it or engrave it when the cartridge fires? I think it matters, others may think differently.

Note: The theory behind all forms of MI barrels is to upset the bullet as little as possible and still spin the bullet properly.

If MI barrels work to the shooters advantage depends on the shooter. They do shoot differently.

TKH

 

[High Noon]

Lee, can you please show your ogive gauge …thanks!

Maybe the tight chambering is the bullet hardness?

Lubrication has been a problem for a long time . Frank Tirrell and I figured that out many…. many moons ago!

High Noon

 

[Tony K Harper]

Lee, can you please show your ogive gauge …thanks!

Maybe the tight chambering is the bullet hardness?

Lubrication has been a problem for a long time . Frank Tirrell and I figured that out many…. many moons ago!

High Noon

High Noon,

I don't use an ogive gauge although I have a number of chambered barrels stubs I could use as such. I use the bullet stick out of the chamber itself. I have a tool set up with a dial indicator to measure the stick out.

You are quite right bullet hardness could very well cause hard chambering. Bullets should all feel the same when you push them in using the back of the bolt. If they don't, I normally get inconsistent shooting results.

TKH