Reamer ? Am I SOL

[4xforfun]

I had a new 300 WSM reamer ground 2 - 3 years ago..... .334 neck (for 1000 comp)and there was suppose to be enough freebore to seat the 215 Berger Hybrid out where the base of the bearing serface is a bit above the neck-shoulder junction. I asked about sending some dummy rounds and I was told it was not nessasary...that he knew exactly what I wanted. Since I quit shooting comps it sat for a couple of years before it ever did a chamber job. Looks like there is hardly any freebore at all....it almost looks like a factory SAMI loaded round with the bullet sunk WAY into the case. A friend of mine used it...he built a WSM on a Rem Long action just so he could use my reamer. He wasn't amused.

I am about a notch away from being a total idiot when it comes to gunsmithing stuff, but is the only "FIX" to run a throating reamer in every chamber? Since it is a .334 neck it would be useless to try and sell it.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[carlsbad]

Probably not useless to try to sell it. A lot of people turn their necks. Probably more people want to fire from a short action magazine fed than like the long action that you prefer so there may be more demand than you think. I assume it is a good brand and has one chamber cut so it will sell. A print helps but if you don't have one, we can back-calculate the FB from the COAL of a berger bullet since berger publishes good measurements (BtoO) for their bullets. If it is a PTG reamer you can probably call them and get a print from the number on the reamer.

Once you set up a throating reamer, it isn't that hard to do--but you have to know what you're doing. It is easy to overdo it. I use a graduated reamer stop.

--jerry

 

[4xforfun]

Actually, the guy just came in and I measured one of his loaded rounds......3.04 loaded with a 215 Hybrid.

 

[carlsbad]

Yep. Which is why you and I don't build this in a short action. SAAMI lists the COAL for 300 WSM as 2.860. Still kindo tight in a magazine. That's why they make the freebore so short.

338 LM is worse. To seat the 300 grain bergers just off the donut I calculate a freebore of about .385". To feed from a magazine, even the longest CIP magazine, with this bullet I calculate a freebore of .180. So the bullet gets pushed .205 into the cartridge.


--Jerry

 

[butchlambert]

Actually, the guy just came in and I measured one of his loaded rounds......3.04 loaded with a 215 Hybrid.

Tod, Isn't some of that on you? If you spec'ed the neck at .334 you would have your buddy turn his necks. I would still visit with your reamer maker about a regrind.

 

[LCazador]

If you got that from PT&G, they will do a regrind so it's not a total loss. Other reamer makers also will regrind. You have to go back to who you bought from and explain your dilemma.

 

[4xforfun]

If you got that from PT&G, they will do a regrind so it's not a total loss. Other reamer makers also will regrind. You have to go back to who you bought from and explain your dilemma.

Just curious...do you mean make me another reamer, because you can not ADD freebore to a reamer....you can grind it away, but you cant add.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[alf]

Just curious...do you mean make me another reamer, because you can not ADD freebore to a reamer....you can grind it away, but you cant add.

They can "set it back" in a re-grind if there's enough room......

 

[4xforfun]

They can "set it back" in a re-grind if there's enough room......

Looks like I need another .2 freebore to get the base of the boat tail out of the case and into the neck where I want it.

 

[4xforfun]

Tod, Isn't some of that on you? If you spec'ed the neck at .334 you would have your buddy turn his necks. I would still visit with your reamer maker about a regrind.

My buddy WANTED to turn his necks...I tried to talk him out of it. What he expected was another .2 freebore. All I did was lend him my reamer and sent him to my smith....who actually had the reamer ...PT&G sent it to him new and I told him to keep it and if any of his customers wanted he could chamber up tubes for them at N/C.

On the bright side, the thing shoots AWESOME , and he loves it. In fact, I asked him if wanted my smith to run a throating reamer in to give him more freebore and he said "no way"!!!

Tod

 

[LCazador]

Just curious...do you mean make me another reamer, because you can not ADD freebore to a reamer....you can grind it away, but you cant add.

Thanks,
Tod

Yes, freebore can be added if there's enough shank left. Talk to your reamer maker they may do it for no charge if it was a mistake.

 

[4xforfun]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll give them a call. If I decide to get back into compeditive shooting again I will want it longer.


Tod

 

[jaclthr]

Hello Tod,

Also send a dummy round along with the reamer so the reamer people know exactly what you want even if they say they don't need one. It is always best to have something in hand.

jaclthr

 

[4xforfun]

Hello Tod,

Also send a dummy round along with the reamer so the reamer people know exactly what you want even if they say they don't need one. It is always best to have something in hand.

jaclthr

It's kind of funny, because when I had my 300 WBY reamer made up he said he knew exactly what I wanted and I got it.....perfect!!! Same with my 338 EDGE.....didn't need a dummy round...he knew exactly what I wanted .....and he was right on the money.... again!!

 

[jaclthr]

Hey Tod,

Yeah sometimes they do know exactly what you are looking but for the one they get wrong, a dummy round should make all the difference and there should be no question then. Good Luck with the reamer people and your new build. You shouldn't be out of luck, I had 2 reamers that came back well under size even with dummy rounds provided and another company were more than able to set them back and make usable reamers out of them.

jaclthr