308 lapua Palma brass reamer neck size

[Peterla]

Hi
First post on this site and looking to see if anyone has some input on my soon to be 308
I will be using lapua Palma brass with the small primers
Measure some neck with Berger 155.5 projectiles and got 339 th inch
Then measure Winchester 155 factory rounds and got 333 to 334

My thoughts is to now get a reamer at 338 and neck turn the lapua to 334 by taking 2.5 thou off each side

Has any one done this before and could possible tell me if this is too much or if I am heading down the right path

Thanks

Peter

 

[Martin52]

Not sure how much handloading you've done but type in neck turning in the search box and you will get lots of good advice on this site. Also try this:

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/neck-turning-basics/

The 0.339 measurement seems excessive, if that's the o/s neck of one of your loaded rounds. Out of the box .308 Lapua case necks are typically 0.015 so adding the .308 projectile = 0.338 max.

Generally, the answer is no to inside neck reamer, yes to outside neck turning - the articles/search will explain why in more detail.

My suggestion, stick with Lapua and turn to 0.014 case neck thickness measured with a ball micrometer, full length size with a standard FLS (not a bushing) die and trim before turning. Again, search and you'll find all the detailed info on this site and I am sure many others will comment too.

Martin

 

[Peterla]

Hi Martin
Thanks for the reply
I have done a stack of neck turning with my 223 and it is a great gun to shoot
I use a ball mic and a k&m neck turner

I might have to measure some loaded rounds myself as this was passed onto me by a fellow shooter

 

[BradY]

Peter, the 308 is easy. For 155's just get the 308 fullbore 2011 reamer from PT&G. Order the pilots in 0.0002" smaller than your barrel. Ie if you have a .298" x .3075" then get a pilot that is 0.2978" A .300 x .308 you will want a 0.2998.

It will be great for the sierra 2156 and berger 155.5 bullets.

 

[Peterla]

Thanks for all the input guys,
Decided to get a .339 neck diameter reamer made so I can clean up Lapua cases and get a really even tension.
I am also getting a fully length size reamer to make my own die so the cases are the same all the time
A neck bush will be added to this die so its a all in one process.

Hopefully with a bit of tuning this gun will be a real 1000 yard rifle for our f class here in Australia.

Pete