Neck- bullet clearance question

[Ranger188]

Should you always have little to no resistance when sliding a bullet
down a fired case neck, for best accuracy?

 

[Mikemci]

Should you always have little to no resistance when sliding a bullet
down a fired case neck, for best accuracy?

Yes

 

[RegionRat]

The diameter of the neck ID after firing, is not a standard.

It depends on the thickness, the brass history and amount of cold work, the diameter of the chamber, etc., and since those parameters are not identical in all circumstances, I don't see how there could be one answer to the question. Which indirectly answers your question in a way.

It is more likely you will have a loose or sliding fit in a no-turn neck or a sporting chamber, but there isn't any correlation to that and the resulting accuracy that I can imagine.

A bullet diameter may slide in a fired case that produced a poor result, just as it might in one that produced a great result.

 

[Ranger188]

This is a no- turn neck 6bra chambered barrel and using Alpha brass.
Was always told that a bullet should fall into a fired case neck with little
to no resistances for optimum accuracy.
Just wondering if the Alpha brass is slightly thicker than the Lapua and thus
the bullet not dropping into a fired case. Neck not expanding in the chamber enough.
Just wondering if I need to turn the necks down a little before I go any further.

 

[RegionRat]

The bullet is a 6mm.

What is the chamber neck diameter?

What is your brass thickness?

 

[WyleWD]

Should you always have little to no resistance when sliding a bullet
down a fired case neck, for best accuracy?

I've found that there is a following for each side of this. Some say it is a must, some laugh at the mention of it. Best advice is to try it and see in your rifle. JME. WD

 

[Mulligan]

I recall one of the very accomplished short-range BR shooters on this forum saying that clearance is key to accuracy. The practice of a tight chamber (less than .001”) has come and gone for many (not all) serious competitors. If I remember correctly, the question had been asked on the forum about Jack Neary stating in his video series that you should “Turn thin to win”. The question was, “is it the thin brass or additional clearance” that Jack was eluding to?

Not saying I am right, but what I took from it, is there is nothing wrong with having .003” clearance and a little more will not hurt.

Either way, I will be watching this thread.
CW

 

[Bc'z]

Should you always have little to no resistance when sliding a bullet
down a fired case neck, for best accuracy?

Greg I've run into this a couple times.
Currently waiting on my 6.5 cutting head from 21st century.
6.5-284 lapua brass fired case is only .0005 larger than loaded round.
The accuracy is there, but seems to be spitting 1 shot out of group during a seating test done in .003 increments.
I could see where it was wanting to shoot smaller but still having 1 out of group by .3".
After a little conversation with Dave discussing my thoughts we both agreed that taking .0015-.002 cut will probably help the situation, not hurt it.

Other thoughts...
Reamer could be for a no turn neck with a specific type/lot of brass.
Reamer could have cut multiple chambers
Causing wear and tighter neck.
Has reamer ever been sharpened, causing a tighter neck?
If this is your reamer and you know its life, disregard my random thoughts.

 

[Old Navy]

Yes

Yes and no depending a long list of variables.

 

[Shooter13]

I recall one of the very accomplished short-range BR shooters on this forum saying that clearance is key to accuracy. The practice of a tight chamber (less than .001”) has come and gone for many (not all) serious competitors. If I remember correctly, the question had been asked on the forum about Jack Neary stating in his video series that you should “Turn thin to win”. The question was, “is it the thin brass or additional clearance” that Jack was eluding to?

Not saying I am right, but what I took from it, is there is nothing wrong with having .003” clearance and a little more will not hurt.

Either way, I will be watching this thread.
CW

I know that guy and he sells really good bullets too! Won a bunch at short range and med to long range now so I'm betting that is really good advise.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I recall one of the very accomplished short-range BR shooters on this forum saying that clearance is key to accuracy. The practice of a tight chamber (less than .001”) has come and gone for many (not all) serious competitors. If I remember correctly, the question had been asked on the forum about Jack Neary stating in his video series that you should “Turn thin to win”. The question was, “is it the thin brass or additional clearance” that Jack was eluding to?

Not saying I am right, but what I took from it, is there is nothing wrong with having .003” clearance and a little more will not hurt.

Either way, I will be watching this thread.
CW

 

[JEFFPPC]

There is no fit all answer. I have never in almost 60 years of competitive shoot ever tried or seen anyone checking a fired case to see if a bullet slides in it. Why would you do that? There is no way to give good advice to such a question as a general statement. Factory chamber, custom chamber, small br type cartridge, large magnum hunting cartridge, tight neck, no turn, hunting gun, competition gun. You need to give good information if you want a worth while answer. What is it you trying to determine exactly? Advice given with incomplete information could be not safe.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Should you always have little to no resistance when sliding a bullet
down a fired case neck, for best accuracy?

What happens if your neck runout is greater than your neck clearance?

Do you check bullet runout on each loaded round?

Read the photo below and ask yourself "WHY" "the cartridge should fit the chamber like a rat turd in a violin case."

Click to enlarge the image below, and read the quote by Jim Hull of Sierra Bullets.