How fussy do you guys get when neck turning?

[Lapua40X]

You read a lot on these forums about close tolerance neck turning but, in reality, unless you've got a lathe with the proper chuck and run-out indicator and you take the time to set up each turning task perfectly the tolerances some reloaders claim to achieve are, IMO, unrealistic.
I simply turn, polish, and clean the necks to achieve no more than .001 run-out when the bullet is seated. That's not always achievable. But I try ....

 

[mshelton]

I simply turn, polish, and clean the necks to achieve no more than .001 run-out when the bullet is seated. That's not always achievable. But I try ....

That's one of the things I've curious about recently, the amount of tolerable runout on a case neck after seating, what should we realistically be chasing.

 

[ARIZONA_F_CLASS]

Last month I cut 1,050 pieces of 6mmBR Lapua cases to 0.0083" Every one I measured (1 every 25 pieces) measured 0.0083" +/- less than < 0.00005" as measured on a Starrett tube mic - and I worked fast - no ice on tools (except outside )

The measuring of something like that to the 5th decimal is quite a feat to be performed by anyone who is not used to using instruments such as a tubing micrometer.. Kudos.

My first time playing with a tubing ball Mic was an eye opener lol.

A ball mic is one of those tools THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE!!!! ;D

 

[Lapua40X]

I simply turn, polish, and clean the necks to achieve no more than .001 run-out when the bullet is seated. That's not always achievable. But I try ....

That's one of the things I've curious about recently, the amount of tolerable run-out on a case neck after seating, what should we realistically be chasing.

I can only submit that .001 - 0015 is doable on my bench with regularity. I sometimes find a few that are under .001, but only slightly, and my equipment isn't laboratory grade so I certainly wouldn't boast about those. Nevertheless, my targets are respectable and it's pretty darn clear that the rifle and ammo can shoot a lot better than I can so all I need to do is keep loading with care and working on my form and timing from the shooting position(s).

 

[ireload2]

I think you are off by a decimal point and this should be about .0001. You can't really split a tenthousanth with a conventional mike with any confidence. The only thing I have used that would do that is a super micrometer. It has to be a tool with better resolution than a hand mike. Hand mikes especially something like a tubing mike are not even that good when they meet federal and military standards.

Last month I cut 1,050 pieces of 6mmBR Lapua cases to 0.0083" Every one I measured (1 every 25 pieces) measured 0.0083" +/- less than < 0.00005" as measured on a Starrett tube mic - and I worked fast - no ice on tools (except outside )

 

[brxbrad]

Consistency is everything.....

 

[BoydAllen]

I have had a ball mic. for over 15 years, and I have done some experimenting with my turning equipment and methods over the years. The result is that I can hit the numbers that I mentioned. On the other hand, the ability to analyze problems and work with tools varies considerably. I have seen fellows that could take perfectly good brass and equipment and turn out work that was horrible looking. Also, runout on the bullet is a different matter than variance in neck thickness. Based on my experience, +- .0001 is doable, but you can certainly do a lot worse with bad technique. The problem is that shooters that have been at if for a long time can be damn near unteachable. They tend to hit a plateau, and then start rationalizing.

 

[Joe Salt]

Boyd I guess I'm at that Plateau, I've got all kinds of Things that will probably read to a tenth but I was never good enough with them to say now I'm within a tenth. I know when I'm good with run out with the Concentricity gage, but thats only because it barely moves. I think its the big hands! I can see a difference with the micrometer but not to say I have it to a tenth. To me its between the lines.

Joe Salt

 

[BoydAllen]

Joe,
I should have added one more thing. We can measure things that may not matter where it counts the most, at the target. Results obtained with good quality brass, in accurate rifles with no turn neck dimensions have not gone unnoticed by me. I was addressing a very narrow question, as to how fussy I get when turning necks. I think that your success has addressed the larger question as to whether that level of fussiness is a requirement for success. Obviously it is not. The simple truth is that I enjoy seeing how well I can accomplish some of the parts of our process, throwing powder, turning brass, sizing cases so that they are as straight as I can make them, seating bullets, etc. As to whether these concerns really give an advantage at the target is up for discussion, but I don't think that doing them the best that I can hurts anything, and it does give me more confidence in my ammunition.

 

[Joe Salt]

Yes you are right about things that matter, no turn necks work. Had One! And yes I can be fussy on the things that I think matter most. Such as seating depth, neck tension, and concentricity. Boy am I going to get some crap on that!

Joe Salt

 

[CatShooter]

Yes you are right about things that matter, no turn necks work. Had One! And yes I can be fussy on the things that I think matter most. Such as seating depth, neck tension, and concentricity. Boy am I going to get some crap on that!

Joe Salt

When my current tight neck BR rifle goes tits up, I will NEVER own another.

Hows that for "crap"!!

 

[Joe Salt]

catshooter I still say you need an Aluminum top on your bench like I do to roll your brass on after you Anneal! Come on Grump its not that bad. Even if you think you won't have to turn necks again, it will still be on your mind, should I just to get them a little closer.

Joe Salt

 

[mshelton]

should I just to get them a little closer.

or at least even them up

 

[CatShooter]

catshooter I still say you need an Aluminum top on your bench like I do to roll your brass on after you Anneal! Come on Grump its not that bad. Even if you think you won't have to turn necks again, it will still be on your mind, should I just to get them a little closer.

Joe Salt

Neck turning 1050 cases from 14 thou to 8 thou will make anyone grumpy

 

[Joe Salt]

you still didn't comment on the aluminum top works great?

Joe Salt

 

[CatShooter]

you still didn't comment on the aluminum top works great?

Joe Salt

I don't have an aluminum top on my bench. I don't think I would want one. I have that 1/4" brown pressed hardboard, glued over 2" of plywood - it works well.

I sometimes have aluminum foil in my hat.

 

[bigedp51]

The real question is how fussy are you with neck turning when using a Lee collet die.

And "NO" these are not my cases, the photos came off Google images, "I" don't have this problem with "MY" press.

And don't tell fguffy that my Rockchucker press has a "soft" cam over setting.

P.S. Eat your heart out CatShooter

 

[CatShooter]

P.S. Eat your heart out CatShooter

I knew you had a seating force gauge... I am jealous !!

 

[bigedp51]

I knew you had a seating force gauge... I am jealous !!

And I'm glad you are in a good mood and didn't get torqued off............................

 

[Barlow]

Can anyone prove that a variance of .0005 in neck thickness will show up on target? Not trying to be a SA but just curious. Barlow