Neck diam for 6.5-284 for benchrest competiton

[rvander1]

Hi,
I'm having a 6.5-284 light benchrest gun built right now and I'm not sure what chamber neck diameter to get.
--I have a buddy who shoots short range 6mmBR who says they are going with thicker necks now than they were using a couple years ago.
I believe 288-290 used to be the most common for 6.5-284- but do you know what is most common now??
Dave Kiff at Pacific Reamer says 85-90% of the 6.5-284 reamers he is selling now are .296!
I have a great gunsmith- who is also a great shooter- and he suggests .288-290. ----What to do!!!
Any suggestions appreciated--trying to get as many opinions as I can.
Does anyone know what the latest "winning" guns are chambered?
Thanks!
Bob

 

[boogershooter]

Theres a good gunsmith in Pa. i just ordered a 16 lb 6.5-284 from.He likes 290.I believe he's reputable from what Ive read on this site!

 

[Eddie Harren]

If you feel like you can't trust what your gunsmith tells you, you might want to reconsider your project. Do you know him well? Has he done work for you before? If so, have you been satisfied?

 

[rvander1]

DocEd,
This question has nothing to do with trust. Yes, I do trust the gunsmith I have chosen because he has built many winning guns for Williamsport shooters- where I will be shooting, and where he shoots--very successfully. I am new to the 1000 yard game- and I am just trying to find out if there is a trend toward thicker necks in this caliber. I asked the same basic question on another forum and most of the answers revolved around "if you trust your gunsmith- do what he says". --After hearing this advice from many --all more experienced than I am, I was ready to call my gunsmith and just say: "please fix this gun as if you were going to shoot it yourself".
Then, my friend who has been shooting 100-200 yard benchrest for about 8 years with good success, said that,in short range benchrest) there is a definate trend toward thicker necks. I then called Pacific Reamers,on my friends recommendation) and was astonished to hear them say that 85-90% of the reamers Dave Kiff is selling are .296. Why all the .296 reamers if the .290's are winning??
Bottom line--I retired 2 years ago and finally have the time to shoot long range--I've wanted to do this for years.--At my age I don't have a lifetime to "get it right". I know there's a lot more to competing at 1000yds than the gun-but I have to start somewhere.
Thanks for the help.
Bob

 

[Aitch]

FWIW, my Speedy built,SG&Y) 6.5x284 has a .297 neck.

 

[rvander1]

Aitch,
Thanks for your input-much appreciated.

 

[alf]

I've shot a .290 neck for the last 5 years, and have my own reamer.
I'm a little anal about neck turning to the last tenth on neck concentricity.
If your happy with keeping them to a thousandths or so, use the no turn dimension.
Search out what Lou Murdica says on the subject.

Al.

 

[dennisinaz]

If you go .296 or more, you might not have anything left to clean up. If it is going to be a straight BR gun, I would go with the .290 neck. If you don't like it, you can set the barrel back .300 and ream with the thicker neck.

Most of the .296 and .297 reamers are right there at not turning necks.

 

[rvander1]

thanks to everyone for their input- great forum.