Necking down 6.5 WSM Brass (and turning)

[jk_mm]

Just bought some ADG 270 WSM brass that I intend on necking down to 6.5. The average loaded neck diameter of ADG 270 WSM brass is 0.3089" (0.0162" neck well thickness) according to their website. Through simple math, the bushing needed for the 6.5 WSM would be around .295". This is on the very high end of most "typical" 6.5 bushings - which leads me to believe that I should probably turn necks. I plan on using the SAC modular sizing dies, and their neck/shoulder bushings range from .286 to .293.

I have never turned necks before, but my question is should I turn first on the original virgin 270 brass, or neck it down prior to turning? Also, outside of the IDOD, what is the next best neck turning tool?

Thanks!

 

[L.Sherm]

First thing you need to determine is your chamber nk dia

 

[L.Sherm]

Ive shot the 6.5wsm for about 20 years now, ADG brass is a god send. My first go round was a no-turn (.300nk) bad idea to hard to keep consistent. Now my nk chamber is .296 and loaded round is .292.
I use a .289 bushing no mandrel just brush the necks and seat using 140 Bergers, H1000 and 215 primer.
My reamer has .180 freebore which is perfect for the 140 Berger.
Turn after neck down and opening up to the proper size to fit your turning mandrel.

 

[mikecr]

Determine chamber neck, measure neck thickness at 270, determine likely thickness resulting from necking down to 26cal. Decide about whether turning would be a good action.
If turning necks, I would turn with new brass at it's 270 form, and then size it down.
It's hard to nail a good turning mandrel fit once you've up/down sized a bunch. All the springing backs fight you.

 

[L.Sherm]

I have no problem with my K@M mandrel turning necks after sizing down to 6.5 first.
Its no different if you use a mandrel to size after a bushing only go down .002 under desired dia.

 

[Bill Norris]

Just bought some ADG 270 WSM brass that I intend on necking down to 6.5. The average loaded neck diameter of ADG 270 WSM brass is 0.3089" (0.0162" neck well thickness) according to their website. Through simple math, the bushing needed for the 6.5 WSM would be around .295". This is on the very high end of most "typical" 6.5 bushings - which leads me to believe that I should probably turn necks. I plan on using the SAC modular sizing dies, and their neck/shoulder bushings range from .286 to .293.

I have never turned necks before, but my question is should I turn first on the original virgin 270 brass, or neck it down prior to turning? Also, outside of the IDOD, what is the next best neck turning tool?

Thanks!

I would size it down to 6.5 before turning. I feel your numbers will be more accurate because you will have the necks to a point of getting 6.5 related numbers.

 

[L.Sherm]

Bill is 100% correct.

 

[B23]

ADG 270 WSM brass is (0.0162" neck well thickness) according to their website.

I bought some of this about a month ago and ADG's website is correct on the neck thickness in fact the handful I randomly pulled out of different boxes all measured closer to .0165 it's a little thicker then their 300 WSM brass I have is but necking that stuff down to 6.5 would require more passes and likely result in even thicker necks. Their 270 WSM brass necked down to 6.5 I'd bet would be right around .017 so that X2 + .264 would give you a outside loaded round dia .298 +/- half thou or so.

As L.Sherm said "First thing you need to determine is your chamber nk dia". You need to know that before you do anything .

 

[L.Sherm]

I bought ADG 300wsm when it first came out for my 6.5x300wsm, necked it down and then turned the necks.
I'm just glad I dont have to spend the time sorting and doing alot of work on WW 270wsm brass anymore.

 

[B23]

The folks at ADG not only make a stellar product but they're also making a lot of different cases in differing neck diameters that are awesome to wildcat off of and will save time and money.

For a hot rod fast stepping 6mm or .257 build I can see the ADG 6.8 Western being a great case to wildcat off of. Not quite as overbore as using the WSM or 7 PRC case.

 

[L.Sherm]

I dont worry about overbore on hunting rifles because I'm not one to shoot the $hit out of them, do load development get them were I want them and then just hunt. I got other rifles that are way cheaper to shoot the crap out of and some years sage rats and P.D keep me busy in spring and early summer

 

[jk_mm]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Will make sure to verify the reamer nk diameter. Thinking .296 would be perfect.

Is the 21st Century power lathe neck turner worth it? Or good to go with something less? Looks like PMA, K&M and 21st all have something decent?

 

[L.Sherm]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Will make sure to verify the reamer nk diameter. Thinking .296 would be perfect.

Is the 21st Century power lathe neck turner worth it? Or good to go with something less? Looks like PMA, K&M and 21st all have something decent?

I dont like the power turners in my experience the inside of the necks get to hot even with lube.. I'm partial to the K@M but others I'm sure work fine

 

[L.Sherm]

100 ADG cases will last more than the life of the barrel so using a hand turner doesn't take that long after your set up.
50 cases probably would do for a long time.
I love the 6.5wsm as a hunting round but its not one to bang away at the bench.