Neck Turning Lapua 6mmGT brass

[Steve Donlon]

My rifle is almost done and am thinking about turning the necks down to .012" like I do my 6.5 Creedmoor. It has a 30" Bartlein barrel, SIDHE EVO trigger, MannersT4 stock , Deviant action and Sinclair basic heavy varmint front rest and have four heavy bullets to try using RL16 powder. I don't read much about turning necks in the 6GT but I'm only shooting long range 500-1000 yards and sometimes I can shoot like an expert, mostly sharpshooter. But I have noticed with my 6.5 Creedmoor it has really helped me with my vertical stringing if I turn the necks down to .012". Just asking if anyone is turning the 6mm GT with similar results. Or don't bother.

 

[Nevned]

My rifle is almost done and am thinking about turning the necks down to .012" like I do my 6.5 Creedmoor. It has a 30" Bartlein barrel, SIDHE EVO trigger, MannersT4 stock , Deviant action and Sinclair basic heavy varmint front rest and have four heavy bullets to try using RL16 powder. I don't read much about turning necks in the 6GT but I'm only shooting long range 500-1000 yards and sometimes I can shoot like an expert, mostly sharpshooter. But I have noticed with my 6.5 Creedmoor it has really helped me with my vertical stringing if I turn the necks down to .012". Just asking if anyone is turning the 6mm GT with similar results. Or don't bother.

Steve, I cannot be much help on turning necks on Lapua 6 GT brass but I do use unturned Lapua in my 6 GT with good success. I too shoot 6-1100 yards. I now only have four firings on my brass and assume it will hold up well as is the case with most Lapua that I use in multiple calibers.

 

[neckturner]

Just asking if anyone is turning the 6mm GT with similar results.

I turn them to .135 to even out the brass - it's about .001 thicker at the the shoulder than the mouth with Alpha Brass. It's something of a skim turn. While I don't have the numbers handy, I think it helps the SD.

 

[Bill Norris]

My rifle is almost done and am thinking about turning the necks down to .012" like I do my 6.5 Creedmoor. It has a 30" Bartlein barrel, SIDHE EVO trigger, MannersT4 stock , Deviant action and Sinclair basic heavy varmint front rest and have four heavy bullets to try using RL16 powder. I don't read much about turning necks in the 6GT but I'm only shooting long range 500-1000 yards and sometimes I can shoot like an expert, mostly sharpshooter. But I have noticed with my 6.5 Creedmoor it has really helped me with my vertical stringing if I turn the necks down to .012". Just asking if anyone is turning the 6mm GT with similar results. Or don't bother.

I normally turn all my Lapua brass for a slight clean-up which results in less than .001 most of the time. Do not have any proof that it helps but just like to make sure it all starts out with an even neck thickness.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I think I'll order the pumpkin and after I get things worked out I'll do a test. Sometimes I hope it won't matter but if it helps at all, i'm all in. I started on my 30-06 at .0125. And Pat at PMA said to try .012 with the 6.5. I tried to just clean them up but then went to .012 and that did make a difference but that was with Starline brass. Maybe going thinner to .012 is more beneficial for neck tension on the Lapua. I'll leave some alone and turn some and see what happens. Thanks for the input. It seems the 6GT can be so accurate it might not matter for me. But if I can shoot really great one day, I'll be hooked hoping it will happen more often. That's why I keep at it. And it happens just enough.

 

[Fire Dog]

I turn them to .135 to even out the brass - it's about .001 thicker at the the shoulder than the mouth with Alpha Brass. It's something of a skim turn. While I don't have the numbers handy, I think it helps the SD.

I have some Peterson 6GT waiting for my build and this raises a question about checking their neck thickness consistency. Time to get out the ball micrometer…
Just finished skim turning a friend’s Lapua 284 brass and the necks definitely were not completely cylindrical.
Turned to just touch into the shoulder to help prevent the dreaded “DOOH-NUTS”

 

[bozo699]

I wouldn't turn the necks until I knew my chamber dimensions so I could have the exact amount of clearance I want
Wayne

 

[Fire Dog]

I wouldn't turn the necks until I knew my chamber dimensions so I could have the exact amount of clearance I want
Wayne

Yea, I hear you… “If it ain’t broke…. Don’t fix it…!”

 

[Sniper338]

I normally turn all my Lapua brass for a slight clean-up which results in less than .001 most of the time. Do not have any proof that it helps but just like to make sure it all starts out with an even neck thickness.

X2

Tends to be .14 thou on average with lapua brass for a decent clean up.

 

[LCazador]

I turn to .011" but I'm running a .267" neck. My Lapua brass is running about .013-.014" and it takes at least .0015" to clean it up. I'm not seeing good square primer pockets on my brass BTW.

 

[Steve Donlon]

Thanks for the information all of you. Think I will order an adjustable neck turning tool and go slow seeing how I never turned Lapua brass and need to take my time.

 

[neckturner]

Peterson 6GT waiting for my build and this raises a question about checking their neck thickness consistency. Time to get out the ball micrometer

Let us know what you find. The Alpha is consistently .001 or more thicker near the shoulder than near the mouth. Similar pattern on their .308 Win SRP brass.

 

[bozo699]

Thanks for the information all of you. Think I will order an adjustable neck turning tool and go slow seeing how I never turned Lapua brass and need to take my time.

If it were me I would order a PMA adjustable neck turning tool with appropriate pilots . Then once you find what performs best in your rifle call Pat back at PMA and order a non adjustable one from him at your specifications, he’s wonderful to work with
Wayne

 

[LCazador]

Thanks for the information all of you. Think I will order an adjustable neck turning tool and go slow seeing how I never turned Lapua brass and need to take my time.

By the way unless you can find a Pumpkin turner used maybe here I'd like to recommend the PMA.

 

[Steve Donlon]

If it were me I would order a PMA adjustable neck turning tool with appropriate pilots . Then once you find what performs best in your rifle call Pat back at PMA and order a non adjustable one from him at your specifications, he’s wonderful to work with
Wayne

I just talked to Pat and He said the same thing about just cleaning up the Lapua brass and not taking it down to .012' unless I needed to. With my other brass I had no choice but to take it down that much. So I ordered the A model. But thanks for the good advice, it was right.

 

[Steve Donlon]

By the way unless you can find a Pumpkin turner used maybe here I'd like to recommend the PMA.

I always use Pat's stuff, but thanks. I did order one just now. He is a great guy to deal with.

 

[bozo699]

I always use Pat's stuff, but thanks. I did order one just now. He is a great guy to deal with.

Yes I’m happy to hear this and like I said once you find your optimal neck clearance you can order a model B and your set plus you know have a great turner for any new projects .Best of luck and let us know how it turns out.
Wayne

 

[bozo699]

By the way unless you can find a Pumpkin turner used maybe here I'd like to recommend the PMA.

I got a turner from Don years ago at a 1000 yard match in Missoula Mt. he was great to learn from and shoot with. Sadly someone on this site needed one and I had two so I let it go,….. now I can’t find my other one and no way to get another unless a used one pops up.
Wayne

 

[LCazador]

Pumpkins are hard to find as any well made product is. I know some people who have Pumpkin patches and won't let go of any of them.

 

[Fire Dog]

Pumpkins are hard to find as any well made product is. I know some people who have Pumpkin patches and won't let go of any of them.

If they are so desirable it is a wonder that someone has not tooled up and making a “New” version one..?
Just the same as if you want a Bukys tuner you can buy a Perrott tuner that is a virtual copy. Just as well made or better…