Neck clearance?

[Hammerdown22]

So a few weeks back I call up my Smith and discussed having a barrel chambered in 17 rem. He said he had a reamer with a .197 neck that should work as a no turn chamber, any way I send it off with a few pieces of brass and a note containing what we discussed.

Get a email with an invoice. And here's where I messed up I didn't look over the invoice I just called them up and paid. Fast forward I got the rifle back loaded a few rounds to run through it. A few days later bored bad weather out I figure I'll play with loading some rounds and decide I'll see how much I'll have to take off the necks to clean them up, turn a couple cases and measured them at .01 per side so that will leave a loaded round at .192 and will give me .0025 per side or .005 total. Perfect so I go ahead a turn 100 pices of brass. Afterwards I grab the few I loaded and shot earlier and was measuring them and the fired neck was .200 I was confused so I measured a couple more and the fired neck was .200 so I get on the computer and go back to send my Smith an email to figure out what reamer was used.

And look at the invoice and it says .199 neck. What?

So now My brass that I turned Has .008 total neck clearance or .004 per side. How much is too much?

 

[L.Sherm]

So a few weeks back I call up my Smith and discussed having a barrel chambered in 17 rem. He said he had a reamer with a .197 neck that should work as a no turn chamber, any way I send it off with a few pieces of brass and a note containing what we discussed.

Get a email with an invoice. And here's where I messed up I didn't look over the invoice I just called them up and paid. Fast forward I got the rifle back loaded a few rounds to run through it. A few days later bored bad weather out I figure I'll play with loading some rounds and decide I'll see how much I'll have to take off the necks to clean them up, turn a couple cases and measured them at .01 per side so that will leave a loaded round at .192 and will give me .0025 per side or .005 total. Perfect so I go ahead a turn 100 pices of brass. Afterwards I grab the few I loaded and shot earlier and was measuring them and the fired neck was .200 I was confused so I measured a couple more and the fired neck was .200 so I get on the computer and go back to send my Smith an email to figure out what reamer was used.

And look at the invoice and it says .199 neck. What?

So now My brass that I turned Has .008 total neck clearance or .004 per side. How much is too much?

It will just work the brass a little more, anneal it and I bet you will be fine.
.199 is probably what his print says.

 

[Hammerdown22]

It will just work the brass a little more, anneal it and I bet you will be fine.















.199 is probably what his print says.

Ya it's a bit disappointing that he used a different reamer than we had discussed.
How important is neck clearance vs accuracy?

 

[L.Sherm]

Ya it's a bit disappointing that he used a different reamer than we had discussed

He may not have used a different reamer than you discussed, I had a reamer that was .003 different than it was suppose to be by a certain reamer maker that I won't use anymore.

 

[L.Sherm]

Ya it's a bit disappointing that he used a different reamer than we had discussed

He may not have used a different reamer than you discussed, I had a reamer that was .003 different than it was suppose to be by a certain reamer maker that I won't use anymore

How important is neck clearance vs accuracy

It is to a point, there's only one way to find out Shoot it!

 

[Hammerdown22]

He may not have used a different reamer than you discussed, I had a reamer that was .003 different than it was suppose to be by a certain reamer maker that I won't use anymore.











i emailed him and asked if he used the .197 reamer we talked about and his reply was we used the .199 reamer

 

[L.Sherm]

.001 difference in nk dia from the print isn't really unreasonable.

 

[L.Sherm]

Sorry I see now you were suppose to get a .197 I thought you were suppose to get a .199nk. MY BAD
My pea brain was stuck on .199

 

[17VLD]

Kinda stinks especially at today’s brass prices.Just curious how thick was your brass before you turned it,I just checked some Remington stuff I have and it’s all over the place at .010”-.0135”.Next batch I would cut it at .0120”-.0125” and chalk it up as a learning experience.Was thinking you could take 5 pieces of 204 or 222mag brass and form them to 17Rem,the necks will thicken and then cut to .0125” and see how they shoot.Watch The difference in powder volume though be safe.I bet your .010” stuff will still be accurate just maybe not as long lasting.
Good luck with the varmints or paper

Matt

 

[Clancy]

Lots and lots of f class guys run .008 to even .010 on purpose. I have ran brass turned for my .268 BR in a .272 while hunting varmints and it shoots great, like in the .1s regularly great. Keep it annealed.

 

[Hammerdown22]

I ordered some 204 brass to play with forming and turning the necks to .0125
@17VLD
Do you have any experience forming from 204 brass? Are donuts an issue?

 

[7315br]

I ordered some 204 brass to play with forming and turning the necks to .0125
@17VLD
Do you have any experience forming from 204 brass? Are donuts an issue?

AFWIW, I ended up with several hundred new WW .204 brass a few years ago from a estate sale. I formed several hundred 20VT and 20JI cases from it using a set of Neil Jones bushings. Worked out well, but you will end up turning the necks. Still shooting some of it. Has been excellent brass.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Well you don't need to turn anymore brass for it. My Lilja rem sporter contour 17 rem(m700) is stupid accurate. No turn ,0 FB. Doesn't care if it is nickel or standard brass. Sized/mandrel brass 0.193. Loaded(nickle) 0.1945 with 29 gr WCD bullets.

 

[ronemus]

There are opposing views on neck clearance. Using small clearance reduces the amount of working the neck during a loading/firing cycle and more precisely locates the base of the bullet, but it requires scrupulous attention to avoid negative clearance and a kaboom. Using a large clearance is generally safer and doesn't require neck turning, but the brass will be worked more which will shorten case life due to split necks. Where on the continuum you choose to work is up to you.

 

[17VLD]

I ordered some 204 brass to play with forming and turning the necks to .0125
@17VLD
Do you have any experience forming from 204 brass? Are donuts an issue?

Have not made any 17 Rem from 204 yet but if I ever need to and if prices get any worse I will.I have made 17Mach1V from .223 and 17PPC from 220 Russian.
Neil Jones dies are truly a joy to work with, like 7315br I love mine.Donuts can be come an issue when sizing longer cases down to a smaller neck diameter as further down the case body the brass is thicker.In this case you want that material to more closely fit your .200 chamber..172”+.0125”+.0125” puts you at .197” so you now have .003” clearance.Safe as long as you keep everything clean of carbon and fouling.With proper neck turning and a correctly fitted arbor you should have no issue.Keep your eye on your case necks and clearances after each firing and you should be absolutely fine.Enjoy the journey, it is the best hobby a person can enjoy with clothes on.

Matt