Correct neck tension

[Mickey C]

What is the correct neck tension for hunting loads?

 

[rwj]

Sufficient to ensure that the bullet is not set back into the case during feeding from the magazine. Regrets that the amount is not fixed. It will vary based on the firearm and components used.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

What is the correct neck tension for hunting loads?

For Magnum Rifle Hunting Loads, such as,. the .270 WSM & 7mm Rem Mag., I Like, .003 to .005 Neck Tension.
For my 6.5 Creed and 6 XC i use,.. .0015 to .002

 

[Mark M.]

I guess it depends on the caliber and the action, i shoot a lot of small caliber with a bolt gun, i like .002, semi auto and larger Calibers, I agree with lefty,.003-.005

 

[6.5 forever]

Yup!!

 

[Bill Norris]

What is the correct neck tension for hunting loads?

.003 is a good place to start. Some rifles will want a tad more or less but for hunting purposes I'd try to stay with at least .003.

 

[Fuj]

I use .003" as the interference fit with the bullet deep into the neck.
Most my loads are seated near neck / shoulder junction. If the bullet
has a crimp groove; I will also crimp. On heavy game hunting loads,
you do not want them bullets pulling out under recoil and jamming
up a magazine.

 

[Murray Brook]

There are a lot of right answers to this but I believe the only way to be sure is to test several tensions to see if the accuracy is suitable and survives under recoil. JMO

 

[J_idaho]

Start at .001” and try and move bullet. Unless you’re using graphite it doesn’t really move that easy. I’m currently running .003 because my gun likes it but I’ve ran allot on .001” also

 

[searcher]

What is the correct neck tension for hunting loads?

If you want a "one and all", I'd go .005".
Myself, I use a myriad of different amounts, depending on not only the rifle, but whether semi-auto (or not) and bullet weight. Real heavy bullet is high-recoiling rifles need a lot more tension than, say, a .243.
examples; .223 bolt gun; .003"
.223 semi auto .005"
.243 Win. bolt, .257 Roberts .003" to .004"
7mm Rem Mag bolt 120 grn .004"
7 mm Rem Mag bolt 180+ grn .005"
7mm Rem Mag semi auto (BAR) .005
.308 Win bolt .003" (has a lot of bullet contact)
.308 M1A semi-auto .004" - .005"
.375 H&H Mag .004" AND CRIMPED
You could just go with .005" and also crimp any heavy calibers (.338 and up) It also depends on what is accurate with your load. Am assuming you are using bushing dies - as any factory die will surely give adequate tension.

 

[Fuj]

If you go heavier then .003" there can be an added issue. There is a very
good possibility that you can cave a shoulder in going tighter. I know this
personally. Some time back, I went to the range and a round chambered
tight, and the next one did not. Younger and dumber. I had just learned
about annealing and that heavy seating and softer shoulder made a large
enough bulge to tie things up......"DO" chamber check every round you
hunt with. You don't want this to happen when pissing off a bear, and your
back up is only a knife......LOL My bear back up is a .41 Mag

 

[boltfluter]

If you go heavier then .003" there can be an added issue. There is a very
good possibility that you can cave a shoulder in going tighter. I know this
personally. Some time back, I went to the range and a round chambered
tight, and the next one did not. Younger and dumber. I had just learned
about annealing and that heavy seating and softer shoulder may a large
enough bulge to tie things up......"DO" chamber check every round you
hunt with. You don't want this to happen when pissing off a bear, and your
back up is only a knife......LOL My bear back up is a .41 Mag

Personally, I always keep one fully functioning round available so I can shoot myself just before the "bear" arrives! Lol.
Paul

 

[Maximus1840]

Pretty much .002 - .003 for everything except for .375 Raptor which gets .005 - .006 plus crimp

 

[old_heli_logger]

Much more than 0.005" and the bullet becomes a not so perfect mandrel sizer...I think,
I've been wrong before though...

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Much more than 0.005" and the bullet becomes a not so perfect mandrel sizer...I think,
I've been wrong before though...

Yes Sir, and how much can the brass stand before it wants to spring back.

 

[markm87]

In to read guys post TENSION in thousands of an inch! It never gets old!

.003 on one neck in a given caliber... or even the same caliber and batch of brass doesn't mean the neck tension is at all the same.

 

[JMayo]

In to read guys post TENSION in thousands of an inch! It never gets old!

.003 on one neck in a given caliber... or even the same caliber and batch of brass doesn't mean the neck tension is at all the same.

Agreed. A repeatable process with cleaning, lubing, brushing & bushing is about all we can do without one of those computer seaters things.
Mine ALL seat with the same feel & dial #'s

 

[J_idaho]

Friends don’t let friends watch PrimalRights videos.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If I go -0.002 bullet diameter inside neck with my 20p AR the bullet will shift into the case slightly when loading off the bolt release. I had Lee make a custom crimp die, slight crimp no more movement (even in cold weather). Hasn't seen any difference in poi, or group size. Winter coyote rifle.

 

[LVLAaron]

Friends don’t let friends watch PrimalRights videos.

Ain't nobody got time for that.