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284 Winchester Neck D at .320" = bad?

I just picked up a new criterion barrel for the 284 win; shooting 180 bergers..

My loaded neck diameter w/ lapua brass is right at .312" which seems to be relatively consistent with others.

However, my fire formed brass shows a neck at .320" , so the reamer used is definitely not as tight as other custom reamers..

Question: Seems these fireformed dims will be hard on brass life.. How often should I anneal?

And more importantly, any expert opinions on accuracy with such a large neck expansion during firing?

Thanks guys!
Brian
 
I anneal my 300 WSM after every firing. I am looking for the same bump every loading so I don't have to change the die settings. I also am looking for the best accuracy for 1000 yard BR. I don't believe it will hurt your accuracy or case life much. From talking with other shooters about the 284, they tell me if they don't have .005 clearance they lose accuracy. Matt
 
Matt is right; 4 to 5 thousandths clearance is what the cartridge requires. Most 284 reamers I have seen are set up for 0.316 necks. I have that setup and anneal after every firing. My WW cases have 10 firings and are still shooting beautiful. You should be fine but may still lose cases a bit sooner with all that working.

Another option is the new Norma brass. They are a few thousandths thicker mandating neck turning in many chambers. Your chamber may have been sized specifically for the Norma brass. I was impressed with it but wont use it when I can run Lapua with no hassles.
 
Matt is right; 4 to 5 thousandths clearance is what the cartridge requires. Most 284 reamers I have seen are set up for 0.316 necks. I have that setup and anneal after every firing. My WW cases have 10 firings and are still shooting beautiful. You should be fine but may still lose cases a bit sooner with all that working.

Another option is the new Norma brass. They are a few thousandths thicker mandating neck turning in many chambers. Your chamber may have been sized specifically for the Norma brass. I was impressed with it but wont use it when I can run Lapua with no hassles.
New norma .284 brass is thick. I have a couple hundred.
 
Excellent feedback.. thanks guys!

I broke in the barrel for the first time and I can already tell that these 180 bergers want to be in one hole.. let the fun begin!
 
My foggy memory says I ended up wth a loaded diameter of 0.3145. Its been a while and I turned them all though. Hopefully someone else has better onfo.
 
I have a standard chamber like yours. I am currently annealing after every firing, but have noticed accuracy dropping off after 4 firings without annealing. The 180 hybrid is a super bullet. It brought me to high master this year.
 

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