Reamers

[drop_point]

Do most top-tier competitive shooters ultimately end up purchasing their own reamers? Are custom-made reamers most often used, or are there stock reamers that meet most shooters needs/wants? How does one pick them out?

I've always just used the same few smiths over and over again and all my re-barrel jobs were made with the smith's reamers. He'd ask what bullet I intended to use and I'd end up with a chamber that worked for me. However, more and more I'm thinking custom reamers may be the way to go moving forward.

 

[SKWERLZ]

One of the local to me f class guys did an excellent video on reamer on YouTube
Winning in the wind I think

 

[liljoe]

No sense in buying a reamer for a caliber you are going to chamber just a barrel or 2. Now if you are going to compete and plan on chambering lots of them, yes buy your own.
Joe

 

[powderbrake]

By buying your own reamer, you can know what the dimensions are supposed to be from the reamer print. Particularly the freebore and neck diameter. Then each barrel you have chambered, you will know the chambering is a close as possible to your first barrel, and you also know how many barrels have been done by that reamer.

For about $250-$300 (500 bullets or 8 pound jug of powder (in the old days)), it is a good investment. Particularly if you are a benchrest or varmint hunter who goes through a lot of barrels.

Note of caution, buy the type of reamer (bushing or non bushing) that your gunsmith likes to use. Talk to him before you buy a reamer.

 

[miles13]

Do it.

 

[yukonal]

No sense in buying a reamer for a caliber you are going to chamber just a barrel or 2. Now if you are going to compete and plan on chambering lots of them, yes buy your own.
Joe

Disagree. Decide what set up you want, one or two bullets (one specifically), and build a reamer around that. You get exactly what you want, and can always use it to chamber a lighter, or heavier barrel as your needs change. Or another like your first one. I'm especially referring to LR hunting rigs, and also your personal competition rigs.

 

[Mike 243]

I have my own reamers. I know what the measurements are and how many chambers they have cut.

 

[Jennb]

We use all custom reamers made by Pacific Tool & Gauge!

 

[Fuj]

I own all my own reamers, and do mostly wild catting and
testing. JGS just cut me a new reamer, for a shorter throat
cat of mine that needs to run in a magazine.

 

[drop_point]

One of the local to me f class guys did an excellent video on reamer on YouTube
Winning in the wind I think

I will check it out. So would selecting the bullet/freebore needed be the main considerations? Or should the actual chamber dimensions around the brass be considered, too?

 

[cowboybart]

We use all custom reamers made by Pacific Tool & Gauge!

Not anymore. I use Manson reamers

 

[yukonal]

I will check it out. So would selecting the bullet/freebore needed be the main considerations? Or should the actual chamber dimensions around the brass be considered, too?

Neck diameter and freebore/throating are 2 good reasons for getting your own reamer.

 

[LRPV]

I will check it out. So would selecting the bullet/freebore needed be the main considerations? Or should the actual chamber dimensions around the brass be considered, too?

Everything needs consideration. If you don’t know what it needs to be yourself, work with your gunsmith or other REPUTABLE person to spec things the way they need to be. There are designs out there that are too tight and will cause issues. Lots of different things can be tweaked to make everything perform better. Lots of smiths can cut a straight generic chamber. There’s a reason why some smiths are in higher demand than others and cost more. Experience is worth the cost.