Need neck turning tutorial

[Cold Bore]

OK, I have recently started on my first venture that requires neck turning (.269" 6mmBR). I was able to pick up a K&M tool from a member here, but can not get the hang of it.

I'm tired of ruining brass while I fumble my way through this learning curve.

Anybody have any pointers for a normally pretty mechanically inclined guy who just can't catch on to this seemingly simple task?? :-[

 

[jonbearman]

Tell us how you are doing it and then we can tell you what you are doing wrong. Are you expanding your cases with an expander or are you sizing them and trying to do it because that wont work.Check out you tube ,there are quite a few tutorials on there site.

 

[SS427]

Make sure you are using a K&M expander before turning. Other brands might work with the K&M neck turning tool but for this I would stick with the same brand to make sure everything is perfect. As Jon suggests explain your current process.

Find yourself some .243 size range brass to practice on too. I screwed up several worthless cases and got everything dialed in before I touched any of my Lapua brass.

 

[TonyR]

I found that three things were necessary to get necks with consistent wall thickness with the K&M tool:

1) Use the K&M expander tool to expand the necks to the right size for the turner pilot,
2) Use the carbide turner pilot that cuts the donut at the neck/shoulder and stays cool, and
3) Keep the turning tool cool.

This last step is absolutely essential, IMHO. I had an aluminum heat-sink that held the tool and I put the whole business on a wet paper towel between cases. If the tool heats up, the case neck wall thickness will vary from case to case.

 

[Jet]

Are you hand turning or using a cordless screw driver? Recommend hand turning until you get the feel. Make sure you don't try to trim them down to your final specs all at once. Do it progressively. To get the .262 necks on my PPC, I turn them at three different settings (two should work). I get them all down to about .014, next cut to .010 or so then a final lighter cut to .008.

Set a couple pieces aside for learning on and go to town. Good luck

 

[bozo699]

also and not mentioned you should lube inside and outside of neck each time, I agree with Jet except I believe the cordless screwdriver is easier to learn on and get excellent results with your first case you do, when using the cordless screwdriver be consistent like with everything you do in reloading, take a fairly fast cut in and slow and steady out, have a small brush and clean your tool between each case, also if it takes more then one pass to get final results then if you can afford it buy another turner and set then to what you want and leave them there, I have dedicated turners for all my br stuff for my ppc I have three K&M's set just about where Jet mentioned that way I never have to monkey with them, if you can not afford or justify more then one turning tool sell the K&M and buy a PGA turning tool there the easiest to set and repeat with that I have found and I own quite a few different models, JMHO's on the subject, there is more but that should get you started, the K&M or equivalent case holder will be needed also.
Wayne.

 

[Boisblancboy]

Anyone turning Winchester .308 brass? If so what thickness are you turning them to?

 

[TonyR]

Anyone turning Winchester .308 brass? If so what thickness are you turning them to?

I use a 0.332 inch loaded neck with Bergers so 0.012 inches per side.