.308 Win Reamer Suggestions

[bbarber25]

Looking for suggestions on a .308 win reamer. 168-175gr bullets, no turn neck, will be shooting lapua brass. Do I go with an obermeyer reamer?

Thanks in advance!

 

[762plinker]

Looking for suggestions on a .308 win reamer. 168-175gr bullets, no turn neck, will be shooting lapua brass. Do I go with an obermeyer reamer?

Thanks in advance!

or a palma 95
missing info
gas gun bolt gun
single or mag fed
distance shooting ?

 

[Doug Beach]

Obermeyer would be an excellent choice.

 

[Ray123]

Not much info to go on ...I use a PT&G live pilot bushing standard reamer, honed neck dia for Lapua and LC brass...with a throating reamer for extreme cases, with long bullets. This works for everything no neck turning.
Unless close range...why stick with the 168- 175 gr bullets? I been shooting 308s for a lifetime. I now use 9 & 8 twists for heavy 200 SMK to 250 Atips..long actions and short actions...runing 200 SMK at 2856 Ave now ...2740 in 22" 9 twist.
Just acquired some new SS head military 6.8× 51 3 pc cases rated for 80,000 psi. They are now 308 instead of .277 loaded with heavy charges past the 60,000 normal 308 loads ...closer to 80,000 psi. Stay tuned .. shoud be close to 300 mag velocities. 168s should be well over 3000 fps.with the new 80,000 psi cases. Always experimenting.

 

[bbarber25]

Sorry for the vague post, was in a rush. Rem 700 with BDL bottom metal, probably 24" barrel, 10-12" twist (haven't decided) used for hunting and long range practice, maybe a few of the local long range steel matches. I had a rifle built years ago and it had an obermeyer chamber in it, it shot very well. Just wanted to see if one of the newer reamer designs was better.

Thanks for the info!

 

[WSnyder]

Palma 95 works great with 168-175 SMK’s and Rem mag boxes. The only thing I’d do is add .002-.003” to the .200” line. The original .470" is too tight for most size dies. .472-.473" seems to work well with commonly available sizing dies.

For reference: A 95 Palma chamber w/Sierra 175 SMK touching lands is ~2.814” OAL. 168’s pretty much the same. Just about perfect for a std box. If you have or install an extended box you can then use a reamer with another .100-.125” of freebore added over the Palma freebore to touch lands and still have a bit (~.050” give or take) of room in the box.

 

[Thegotoguytx]

Hi Guys, for what it's worth I was looking for a Palma Bisley reamer for 168-175s (whatever brand I could actually find) and was turned on to this one by Ray Gross at Manson Reamers. They call it the '308 Win 2019 Fullbore T30' and Ray shoots on the US Palma team and this is the reamer they use. I've attached the reamer print if anyone is interested.

Haven't had a chance to get a barrel spun up yet, interested in feedback if anyone has one of these they've used. According to what I've read Manson makes great products, looking forward to trying it out.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I got a reamer from Brownells over 20 years ago that is marked M852 MATCH. It has worked great for 150 to 175 gr bullets.

 

[WSnyder]

Hi Guys, for what it's worth I was looking for a Palma Bisley reamer for 168-175s (whatever brand I could actually find) and was turned on to this one by Ray Gross at Manson Reamers. They call it the '308 Win 2019 Fullbore T30' and Ray shoots on the US Palma team and this is the reamer they use. I've attached the reamer print if anyone is interested.

Compared to reamers with a 45° transition angle this one would have ~.100” equivalent freebore. With 168-175 SMK’s it will be long for std Rem mag boxes. If you have an extended box you will probably be fine if you want to reach the lands.

Oh and that .4707” @ .200” is a tad too tight IMO for off the shelf sizing dies.

 

[762plinker]

I got a reamer from Brownells over 20 years ago that is marked M852 MATCH. It has worked great for 150 to 175 gr bullets.

852 is loaded with a SMK 168

 

[Ray123]

Sorry for the vague post, was in a rush. Rem 700 with BDL bottom metal, probably 24" barrel, 10-12" twist (haven't decided) used for hunting and long range practice, maybe a few of the local long range steel matches. I had a rifle built years ago and it had an obermeyer chamber in it, it shot very well. Just wanted to see if one of the newer reamer designs was better.

Thanks for the info!

I just built a 700 Rem for a walk around rifle capable of way past 1000yds yards but portable and could be easily used for hunting, fairly light.
I build my own including chambering, so I can choose the exact components I want. A lifetime experience with the 308 and barrels from 18" to 30" & twists 12, 10, 9, 8. This was an accurate cheap project with Remington parts laying around l chose an old HS precision police stock, new Bartlein 5 R 308 9 twist, cut to 22" trued the Remington action, adjusted the trigger to two lbs, bolt knob added, threaded for muzzle brake...tben added the Magpul Remington 700 "bottom plastic", have to do just a slight bit of modification to make it fit the stock, the detachable AM center feed runs up to 2.9" cartridges. Only cost $560 to build the rifle with muzzle brake, the barrel was $420. But the 22" 9 twist is Accurate with 200 gr SMK 715 and they can run at 2740 fps..run the ballistics on it. Plus regular mag feed 2.888" 168 at 2900 fps. Makes a good dual purpose rifle. 130 gr Speer Varmint is an accurate 308 bullet...in most every twist, small groups, in10 twist AR .3" to .5" 5 shot groups, even the 8 twist puts them into one ragged hole...2800 fps where it like ls to run.
Alot of cheap components are accurate in the 308 if you're not competing in a match...but still like .5" groups, besides Lapua for certain accuracy challenges, I use Lake City brass and even surplus powders to keep a variety of 308s running.

 

[bbarber25]

I just built a 700 Rem for a walk around rifle capable of way past 1000yds yards but portable and could be easily used for hunting, fairly light.
I build my own including chambering, so I can choose the exact components I want. A lifetime experience with the 308 and barrels from 18" to 30" & twists 12, 10, 9, 8. This was an accurate cheap project with Remington parts laying around l chose an old HS precision police stock, new Bartlein 5 R 308 9 twist, cut to 22" trued the Remington action, adjusted the trigger to two lbs, bolt knob added, threaded for muzzle brake...tben added the Magpul Remington 700 "bottom plastic", have to do just a slight bit of modification to make it fit the stock, the detachable AM center feed runs up to 2.9" cartridges. Only cost $560 to build the rifle with muzzle brake, the barrel was $420. But the 22" 9 twist is Accurate with 200 gr SMK 715 and they can run at 2740 fps..run the ballistics on it. Plus regular mag feed 2.888" 168 at 2900 fps. Makes a good dual purpose rifle. 130 gr Speer Varmint is an accurate 308 bullet...in most every twist, small groups, in10 twist AR .3" to .5" 5 shot groups, even the 8 twist puts them into one ragged hole...2800 fps where it like ls to run.
Alot of cheap components are accurate in the 308 if you're not competing in a match...but still like .5" groups, besides Lapua for certain accuracy challenges, I use Lake City brass and even surplus powders to keep a variety of 308s running.

We're cut from the same cloth. I'm a machinist and have been doing my own chamber jobs as well, as well as side projects for friends. I'm going with a Mcmillan stock on this one.

What reamer do you use on your .308 builds?

Appreciate the info

 

[bbarber25]

Not much info to go on ...I use a PT&G live pilot bushing standard reamer, honed neck dia for Lapua and LC brass...with a throating reamer for extreme cases, with long bullets. This works for everything no neck turning.
Unless close range...why stick with the 168- 175 gr bullets? I been shooting 308s for a lifetime. I now use 9 & 8 twists for heavy 200 SMK to 250 Atips..long actions and short actions...runing 200 SMK at 2856 Ave now ...2740 in 22" 9 twist.
Just acquired some new SS head military 6.8× 51 3 pc cases rated for 80,000 psi. They are now 308 instead of .277 loaded with heavy charges past the 60,000 normal 308 loads ...closer to 80,000 psi. Stay tuned .. shoud be close to 300 mag velocities. 168s should be well over 3000 fps.with the new 80,000 psi cases. Always experimenting.

I've shot 190's out of my previous .308 and they shot well. Reason for the .308 build is cost of components, and ammo is available world wide.

For the heavies I have a .300 Win Mag that shoots 215 Bergers at 3Kfps and shoots bug holes. It's dropped game in its tracks from 157-1,034 yards. sage rats, deer, antelope, coyotes, elk. I want a good rifle that I can transition from to .300, so it will be built basically the same. 80K is a lot of pressure, I've never heard about that. Think I'll hold off on that until I do some research. A .308 win will fill my cartridge void well right now.

Thanks for the info! Appreciate it

 

[Ray123]

We're cut from the same cloth. I'm a machinist and have been doing my own chamber jobs as well, as well as side projects for friends. I'm going with a Mcmillan stock on this one.

What reamer do you use on your .308 builds?

Appreciate the info

I use the same PT&G standard Saami spec reamer on all 308s with a live pilot, honed the neck dia to get brass clearence down slightly to get .003" to mostly .004" depending on the case brand.
The throat length is Saami spec, and use a throating reamer to extend that with respect to the long bullets I intend to shoot. So I shoot a large variety ammo cheap & match grade and I am not going to turn necks unless I have to like on wildcats, or forming brass. So I can set my sizing die for every 308 I own no adjustment. I own a long, several action short actions and autos...with bullets from 100 gr to 230 gr. Competition in an exacting shooting sport and expecting world record group is not what I'm doing. But small groups can be had with a precision general purpose chambe. Tubb runs em loose, and he's been doin pretty good for a number of yrs. "No problems on the firing line." Saw him do 5 hits in a row including 1st shot cold bore at 1900 yds.

 

[AckleymanII]

I like Wsnider reamer MUCH better than thegotoguy's reamer that is too skinny in the web for Lapua brass, for my tastes.

 

[D-4297]

Saw a lot of interesting suggestions on here , and as a .308 F-TR shooter , my suggestion would be to go with the Manson 2013 - F-TR Reamer . It is the standard .308 Reamer for the majority of competitors shooting in .308 . It has a Freebore of around .170 and would allow you to shoot most any of the popular mid-weight bullets , up to 200 gr, Hybrids .

 

[ebb]

300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) | Manson Precision Reamers

mansonreamers.com

 

[acbrunton55]

Saw a lot of interesting suggestions on here , and as a .308 F-TR shooter , my suggestion would be to go with the Manson 2013 - F-TR Reamer . It is the standard .308 Reamer for the majority of competitors shooting in .308 . It has a Freebore of around .170 and would allow you to shoot most any of the popular mid-weight bullets , up to 200 gr, Hybrids .

This ^^^^^^^^^^
I have one. Gunsmith said it cut very well on all flutes. Two Bartlein 5R barrels chambered.
Working on a load for the Berger 200.20X, (I have no idea why, I can't find them anywhere).
Reconfirming load for Berger 185 Juggs, and 185 Hybrids.

 

[Ray Gross]

Looking for suggestions on a .308 win reamer. 168-175gr bullets, no turn neck, will be shooting lapua brass. Do I go with an obermeyer reamer?

Thanks in advance!

For 168's and 175's you can't go wrong with either the Obermeyer or the M852 chambers. Both are proportioned well for feeding out of a short action magazine (max COL of about 2.825).

The 2011 Fullbore and 95 Palma will be a bit on the short side, and the 95 Palma will also be tight.

If you are shooting single shot and are not constrained by a magazine length, then the 2019 Fullbore would also be a good choice. Just seat the bullets out a bit for more powder volume.

The 2013 FTR is going to be too long for those bullets. It was designed around the Berger 185 Juggs seated partially in the neck and it works as good or better with the 200 Hybrids and 200.20xs, but you will be jumping a mile with 168's and 175's

The standard 308 Win is a big chamber both in throat length and in diameter.

In terms of seating depth to the lands, the Obermeyer and M852 are functionally identical.

Compared to those two; The 2019 will be about .020 longer and the standard 308 Win will be about .040 longer. The 2011 Fullbore and the 95 Palma are about .020 and .030 shorter respectively. And finally the 2013 FTR would be about .110 longer.

 

[bbarber25]

For 168's and 175's you can't go wrong with either the Obermeyer or the M852 chambers. Both are proportioned well for feeding out of a short action magazine (max COL of about 2.825).

The 2011 Fullbore and 95 Palma will be a bit on the short side, and the 95 Palma will also be tight.

If you are shooting single shot and are not constrained by a magazine length, then the 2019 Fullbore would also be a good choice. Just seat the bullets out a bit for more powder volume.

The 2013 FTR is going to be too long for those bullets. It was designed around the Berger 185 Juggs seated partially in the neck and it works as good or better with the 200 Hybrids and 200.20xs, but you will be jumping a mile with 168's and 175's

The standard 308 Win is a big chamber both in throat length and in diameter.

In terms of seating depth to the lands, the Obermeyer and M852 are functionally identical.

Compared to those two; The 2019 will be about .020 longer and the standard 308 Win will be about .040 longer. The 2011 Fullbore and the 95 Palma are about .020 and .030 shorter respectively. And finally the 2013 FTR would be about .110 longer.

How do you think an Obermeyer chamber would do with 185 Juggs? Could possibly see myself shooting them after reading how well Wheeler likes them for hunting. This would be a mag fed 700 BDL.

Thanks for all those PDF's! Really appreciate it!

BB