How critical is the angle of the cutter on a neck turning tool?

[Lucky6547]

I have a 21st neck turner with a 20degree cutter for 308...is just changing the mandrel for 22cal and turning 223 brass with its 23degree shoulder going to be that big a deal?
Seems like people use 30degree cutters on Ackley and Dashers...just wondering how much it affects anything, if at all...
Thanks,
Ken

 

[Steve Blair]

I like to have a cutter 2-5° sharper than the shoulder. If the cutter angle matches the shoulder, it has a tendency to shave any high spots across the blade width, not what I want. If I recall correctly what John said, his are ground ~2° sharper. Call 21st for a definitive answer but I think you need another cutter.

 

[artbosco]

Read: Tool Tip - Optimize Your Cutter Angle for Improved Neck-Turning [December 2nd, 2013] http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/12/tool-tip-optimize-your-cutter-angle-for-improved-neck-turning/ before you make up your mind.