Reamer companies/websites

[Boisblancboy]

I am interested in having a custom reamer built and was looking for some recommendations on who does it? Any links, names, or numbers would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[40X Guy]

PT&G, Clymer, Manson, JGS, and Henricksen are ones that come to mind. I don't believe you can buy a sub par reamer from any of them. I just talked to Dave Kiff of PT&G on the phone 2 weeks ago and he will bend over backwards to get you the right reamer for your project as will all of the others.

Frank

 

[dtucker]

I have delt with Dave ( PT&G ) before but not on reamers. He is a stand up guy and super helpful and great on the phone. When i need a reamer i will be calling him.

 

[Boisblancboy]

I did get just get a print of the reamer that is going to be used on my FTR build, but the only dimension that I really don't like is the chamber neck diameter. I would like it a bit tighter.

For those of you that have designed or had customs built, what's your procedure or reasoning to go with the dimensions you do?

I'm just trying to learn more about this because I would like to build my own reamer to use on my next barrel.

 

[lightman]

I have used Dave Kiff at PT&G.He is a super nice guy,and will advise you and answer your questions. Lightman

 

[wapiti25]

Dave Kiff did a 7mm Rem Mag for me with custom demensions and it is fantastic.

 

[Steve Blair]

I did get just get a print of the reamer that is going to be used on my FTR build, but the only dimension that I really don't like is the chamber neck diameter. I would like it a bit tighter.

For those of you that have designed or had customs built, what's your procedure or reasoning to go with the dimensions you do?

I'm just trying to learn more about this because I would like to build my own reamer to use on my next barrel.

[br]
Decide whether you want turned necks or no-turn. Determine the neck wall thickness of the brass you intend to use (they vary). Determine the diametral clearance you want. I use .004-005" for .308. Measure the bullets you will use. They vary a little. Add it all up. That is the chamber dimension. [br]
.308" bullets
.004" Diametral clearance
.014" neck wall thickness (2X)
.0005" for carbon
Ø.3405" [br]
My tactical .308 has a Ø.342" neck to allow for some variation in factory ammo, if necessary. I think that most Palma chambers are ~Ø.343".

 

[Boisblancboy]

Besides for sizing your neck, what other dimensions can you play with?

 

[Steve Blair]

Besides for sizing your neck, what other dimensions can you play with?

[br]
Your bullet choice will determine the freebore length. I size the freebore to allow bullet seating so that the shank (bearing surface) is just forward of the neck-shoulder junction. You could also specify the leade angle but 1½° is the overwhelming choice. There is also some body diameter variation based upon the brass manufacturer. Lapua and Norma tend to be larger in the body than Winchester or Remington, for instance. Other than those, chambers are fairly standard. Any of the reamer grinders can assist you with these parameters. I have found Dave Kiff at PT&G very helpful and I'm not alone in that opinion.

 

[Boisblancboy]

Thanks for the advice. Correct me if I'm wrong but what I have learned is that there isn't much you can do with accuracy with the reamer but what the big advantage is to lengthen your brass life?

 

[Steve Blair]

The parameter that most affects accuracy is the leade angle and 1½° seems close to ideal. It is also desirable to have a close case fit in the chamber, tight freebore to bullet diameter fit, and the right freebore length for your bullet characteristics vs. seating depth.

 

[Boisblancboy]

It is also desirable to have a close case fit in the chamber, tight freebore to bullet diameter fit.

What are acceptable tolerances before its too tight?

 

[Steve Blair]

Your chamber should have ~.002 diametral clearance at both the case shoulder and body and your sizing die should be able to return it to that condition. Fortunately, a lot of this has already been determined. The only things I usually need to tell Dave Kiff are: cartridge, brass type, freebore length and neck diameter. Otherwise, PT&G match reamers are near perfect. You could also load a dummy cartridge and send it with desired neck clearance. That would accomplish all of the above.

 

[Boisblancboy]

Thanks Steve! Appreciate all the information.

 

[Hal]

Work with your reamer maker.
If you make your reamer to small, your factory die might not resize the case small emough.


Hal

 

[Dave L Kiff]

The best way to order a reamer is to call me and take the time to hash it out and get the very best neck size and throat length. You or I could guess at what you may need but it's great to be able to talk one on one and have a reamer made to give you the best chamber you can have. It's always better to burn into the sweat spot of the throat length and get all the life out of the barrel you can. Also for faster service from me call me directly or if you cant get me on the phone leave me a number to call back and I will call you back. If you have a print or choose to email me my private custom shop email is dave@ kifftool.com . I am starting a custom shop in my cutting tool facility for all my competition ,and wildcat rifle builders that need there reamer's faster so we can get them out in 1-4 weeks. The regular chamber reamer shop can have deliveries from one day to a few mo,s. because of the large amount of purchase orders from gun shops and major manufacturers . So remember for the best reamer I can provide you at a good delivery and price call me at 541-826-5808 . Thanks Dave Kiff

 

[Boisblancboy]

Thanks Dave, I'm sure ill be talking to you here in the near future. I should be getting my new build this week. I would also imagine that it doing take long to figure out what changes I will want for the next barrel.