Reamer for 200 grain 308

[bulldog284]

Looking to order a reamer for my ftr rifle to shoot the 200 grain Berger hybrid would like to know what the free bore should be, I was going to go with a 342 neck diameter using lapua Palma brass.

 

[Down South]

The U.S. FTR reamer with .170 freebore will work with 185s & 200s. If you wanna shoot 200s & possibly 215s I would go with a .225 freebore or longer depending on what powder you wanna shoot. If using H4350 you will need a long freebore to seat the bullet way up in the neck to get enough powder in the case. If using Varget etc. the shorter freebore will work. What twist barrel do you have?

 

[bulldog284]

I will be using a 1 in 10 twist at 30 inches, if I'm using the 170 freebbore and the 185 Berger will the base of the bullet be below the neck shoulder junction? The 225 freebbore might be a better choice for the 200 and the 185 if used how much contact on the bullet when touching the lands in the neck I'm thinking not very much?

 

[Down South]

I will be using a 1 in 10 twist at 30 inches, if I'm using the 170 freebbore and the 185 Berger will the base of the bullet be below the neck shoulder junction? The 225 freebbore might be a better choice for the 200 and the 185 if used how much contact on the bullet when touching the lands in the neck I'm thinking not very much?

The .170 freebore reamer seats a 185 juggernaut way up high in the neck and a 200 hybrid above the neck shoulder junction (where the boat tail starts will be above the junction) . It works really well with those two bullets. I mentioned .225 or longer if you had any thoughts about running the 215s.

 

[Joe R]

Down South
The U.S. FTR reamer with .170 freebore will work with 185s & 200s. If you wanna shoot 200s & possibly 215s I would go with a .225 freebore or longer depending on what powder you wanna shoot. If using H4350 you will need a long freebore to seat the bullet way up in the neck to get enough powder in the case. If using Varget etc. the shorter freebore will work. What twist barrel do you have?

bulldog284,
If I were you I'd take Jade's advice.

I was lucky enough to keep score for him at one of our 1K yard matches (he won it) and I can say without reservations that, when I am having a really good dream I shoot like him. My next reamer will be exactly like he just told you.

bulldog284,
Thanks for asking the question.

Jade,
Thanks for answering. So early in the day and I already found a golden nugget.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[Joe R]

Jade,
How much do you jump the 185 and 200s?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Down South]

Jade,
How much do you jump the 185 and 200s?

Thanks,
Joe

Hi Joe, the juggernauts in general seem to shoot well with .010 to .020 jump in most barrels from what i've seen but i know guys jamming them and jumping them much more than .020 and having great success. Every barrel is a bit different but to answer your question i load them jumping .013 because in testing at my local range (300 yards) they shot the best from .010 to .015 jump but like i said, your barrel may be different. You'll just have to test and find out. The 200s in my barrel really seem to shine with about .010 jump, in testing they shot very well from .008 to about .013 jump. Some guys have a little more trouble getting the 200s to shoot well compared to 185s but this particular barrel i have now seems to shoot the 200s just as good if not better than 185s. I'm hoping my next barrel will shoot like this one but who knows, it may be a dud. Good luck and i'll see you in Houston for the Texas LR Championship in April.

 

[Joe R]

Jade,
I really appreciate you sharing. I'm having a new barrel put on my rifle now and finally the 185s are becoming easier to find, so I am very hopeful. Maybe I'll even move up from Marksman. Hope springs eternal.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[bulldog284]

Thank you very much for the info a big help, next question is is there a reamer company that would make this as a some what standard reamer for ftr and would have a print or would I just contact the reamer company of my choice and just tell them I would like a throat cut to .170 freebore and a .342 neck based on a lapua case?

I made a dumpy round with the 185 Berger to roffly what you suggested and I got a oal of 2.992 does this seem about right to you?

 

[Down South]

Thank you very much for the info a big help, next question is is there a reamer company that would make this as a some what standard reamer for ftr and would have a print or would I just contact the reamer company of my choice and just tell them I would like a throat cut to .170 freebore and a .342 neck based on a lapua case?

I made a dumpy round with the 185 Berger to roffly what you suggested and I got a oal of 2.992 does this seem about right to you?

Call Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool & Guage and tell them you want the 2013 FTR reamer with .170 freebore. They probably have one sitting on the shelf.

 

[bulldog284]

Thank you very much for your help its greatly appreciated I will get on that asap

Darin