223 Rem reamer spec based off sized brass?

[260AckImp]

Hello

Im looking to have my trusty 223 Tikka barrel replaced and I'm wanting to get my own reamer. I currently use a LE Wilson FLS bush die and would like to have the reamer work with it.

I have taken some measurements of fired brass an FLS brass that chambers nicely in my current Tikka chamber (which I guess would be SAAMI?)

Is it as simple as sending these measurements to someone like Manson and have them input those measurements into a 223 reamer? Or am I way off on this?

Any info appreciated, cheers

 

[clowdis]

For the body of the chamber it's best to use SAAMI standard measurements. Designing the reamer with .002 clearance on the body may result in a chamber that is too tight and a sticky bolt with loads near the top, so I never change those specs. If you want to do something special you can change the throat length or lead angle.

 

[SKWERLZ]

You want the chamber big enough so dies can actually work the brass brass down consistently, if chamber is too close or same as dies you will start getting clickers

 

[LVLAaron]

Why re-invent the wheel? 223 Wylde is an excellent, time tested, tried and true chamber.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

You're on the right track. The easy button is if Wilson will share the print with you for their re-size reamer used to cut your die. It's hard to say how much your brass springs back and you didn't mention how many firings it has on it. Pressure will affect this too. Your current setup is about right at the top and quite aggressive at the bottom....for THAT chamber. When I do this for ppc/br reamers, I spec the chamber reamer .003 larger at both areas than the die, not the brass. The brass at the top vs the bottom will spring back differently due to being thicker and harder near the web. I'd check with Wilson first. If that doesn't help, do a cerrosafe cast of the die and send it to the reamer maker. If they ask, I'd tell them to go .003 larger than the cast. Just my 2 cents worth but I do this myself and once you settle on a dimension that works, I find it just makes a lot of sense, because no need for custom dies but yet, custom sizing and all chambers will(should) be very near the same going forward, and work with that die. It makes more sense to me because I do my own bbls and others. If I were only doing it for very occasional bbl jobs, I'd probably just buy a die that works with your reamer and go on.

It works for me because I can tell the customer what die to order and know within reason, it'll give good results without the hassle, expense and time of a custom die. Your case is different because you're trying to match a single die where I'm matching many chambers to an off the shelf die(many). Hope that makes sense. Err to the side of more aggressive sizing rather than too little. A little goes a long way but brass springs back quite a bit too. I want the sized shoulder to be about .0015 smaller and the base only about .0005-.0006 smaller than fired, pretty tired brass. IME .003 smaller than the chamber is about right for this result after sizing.

 

[natdscott]

Why re-invent the wheel? 223 Wylde is an excellent, time tested, tried and true chamber.

Because Bill's chamber doesn't do everything well.

Different tweaks for different purposes.

 

[260AckImp]

Why re-invent the wheel? 223 Wylde is an excellent, time tested, tried and true chamber.

Ill look into a 223 Wylde, do you or anyone else here happen to have a print for one? Would rather just use a reamer that Manson has off the shelf instead of going down a custom route.

 

[260AckImp]

You're on the right track. The easy button is if Wilson will share the print with you for their re-size reamer used to cut your die. It's hard to say how much your brass springs back and you didn't mention how many firings it has on it. Pressure will affect this too. Your current setup is about right at the top and quite aggressive at the bottom....for THAT chamber. When I do this for ppc/br reamers, I spec the chamber reamer .003 larger at both areas than the die, not the brass. The brass at the top vs the bottom will spring back differently due to being thicker and harder near the web. I'd check with Wilson first. If that doesn't help, do a cerrosafe cast of the die and send it to the reamer maker. If they ask, I'd tell them to go .003 larger than the cast. Just my 2 cents worth but I do this myself and once you settle on a dimension that works, I find it just makes a lot of sense, because no need for custom dies but yet, custom sizing and all chambers will(should) be very near the same going forward, and work with that die. It makes more sense to me because I do my own bbls and others. If I were only doing it for very occasional bbl jobs, I'd probably just buy a die that works with your reamer and go on.

It works for me because I can tell the customer what die to order and know within reason, it'll give good results without the hassle, expense and time of a custom die. Your case is different because you're trying to match a single die where I'm matching many chambers to an off the shelf die(many). Hope that makes sense. Err to the side of more aggressive sizing rather than too little. A little goes a long way but brass springs back quite a bit too. I want the sized shoulder to be about .0015 smaller and the base only about .0005-.0006 smaller than fired, pretty tired brass. IME .003 smaller than the chamber is about right for this result after sizing.

I forgot to mention this is 3 times fired 223 lapua brass that is AMP annealed every firing

 

[260AckImp]

I found a Manson 223 Wylde print, does this look like it would work well with my Wilson die?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I forgot to mention this is 3 times fired 223 lapua brass that is AMP annealed every firing

It'll do pretty well then but a cast of the die will be best. Imho.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Ill look into a 223 Wylde, do you or anyone else here happen to have a print for one? Would rather just use a reamer that Manson has off the shelf instead of going down a custom route.

Do a die cast and call them. I'm sure they can do something very close or maybe have something. I misunderstood. I thought you wanted a custom reamer made to a certain set of specs.

 

[260AckImp]

Do a die cast and call them. I'm sure they can do something very close or maybe have something. I misunderstood. I thought you wanted a custom reamer made to a certain set of specs.

All good I just want a reamer that will work with my LE Wilson FLS die and not get clickers or anything. My Dad had a 223 barrel done on his hunting rifle and after 3 firings he now has to run his brass through small base dies to stop getting clickers. I dont know what reamer was used but he uses the Wilson FLS die aswell.

Thanks for your detailed responses, ill get some cerrosafe and do a cast of my die. Also failed to mention Im in Australia so Im hoping that Manson will be able to help me over email instead of me having to post a die cast to Manson.

 

[LVLAaron]

I would have a hard time believing that a Manson Wylde and any reputable resizing die, as you have would be incompatible. Other things can lead to clickers other than the die... but that's a whole other can of worms