Jackie Schmidt has written the most about the thicker necks, and having tried both, says that there is no difference in accuracy potential. The one situation that I would consider them an advantage would be if I were shooting a rifle with an ejector. For that application there would seem to be an advantage. If you do use the thicker necks be careful not to try to use the same neck tension data that someone that is using a .262 neck is using. From what I hear, the thicker necks require quite a bit less reduction in diameter for the same bullet pull as the thinner ones. For my rifle, my favorite bullet has one of the larger pressure rings that I have measured, so I turn my brass to get a nominal clearance of .0025, which is probably more since reamers cut holes that are larger than they are. My neck tension is around .003. This is because I am using 133. On the loading at the range thing...barrels cost quite a bit per shot, when you are talking about match performance. I have friends who shoot big magnums for hunting that I have helped work up loads at the range. I have a scale box that shelters my balance scale from the wind, and which has the trickler inside with its handle sticking through a tight fitting hole in the side of the box. With this setup I load and the fellow who owns the rifle shoots, usually with some sort of extra shoulder protection to forestall a flinch. If the bedding is right, and the scope a good one, we leave the range with his load done, in less than a day. The same thing goes for my PPC, when I am trying a new powder or bullet, I run a pressure series at .3 gr. increments, using a guesstimate seating depth bases on experience, all shot on the same target, over flags on a morning when the wind is easy, FL sizing for every shot. When I get to a bolt lift that is tighter than I like, I record the temperature, humidity, and load data, and take a look at the target to see how the shots have clustered, looking for a series of powder charges where the point of impact did not change much as the powder volume did. Then I set my measure to the middle of that range and retest. If it looks good, I fiddle around with seating depth in increments of .002, in and out from where I started. Using this method, I have been able to work up loads in a very short time. I should mention that my whole reloading rig fits into a Harbor Freight aluminum skinned catalog case that opens at the top, and which weighs around 35#. Friends who think that loading at the range is too much bother generally may never get to a load that is quite as sharp, and they always have multiple trips to the range invested in the load that they do end up with. For shooting squirrels this is OK. Their accuracy needs are less, and because of that their usable barrel lives are longer, but none of this would work for matches. local or not. On the flags, while you are waiting to buy some real ones (I would take a look at Rick Graham's) some sticks with surveyors ribbon tied to the top would be a lot better than nothing. We don't do the load at the range and wind flag stuff because it is customary, or stylish, I would love to be able to get the same results without hauling all of the junk to the range. I can't. One of the most common things that I run on to is fellows that say they want to be able to get benchrest results but they do not want to do the whole package. They may end up with a few wallet groups, but that will be about the extent of it. I always tell my friends that if you want different results, you need to do something different, not just try harder using the methods that you have been using for years. Most o the time it is like water off a duck's back. I think that they are afraid that if they solve all their problems that they will run out of something to do with their hobby. What they don't realize is that even if they conquer the equipment, loading, and shooting technique issues, they will always have the wind to contend with, and learn about, and no one has ever completely figured that one out. Good luck with your project. I predict that you will have a lot of fun, and learn a lot in the process. I keep trying new things, and every so often one works.
