regrinding reamer to lengthen FB...can it be done?

[bsumoba]

just wondering if it can be done for JGS or PT&G to re-grind a reamer to increase the FB.

I'll give them a call tomorrow, but was just curious if this is something they do regularly. seems a lot cheaper than just buying a new reamer.

 

[Terry]

You could buy a Uni-throater. I own 22, 6mm, and 7mm.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its hard to put that metal back after theyve ground it away

 

[lrgoodger]

Yes, you can. I sent a 284 Shehane reamer back to PT&G to have the freebore lengthened, but it is not a lot cheaper than just buying a new reamer. It was 60 - 70% of a new reamer cost if I remember correctly. I agree with Terry, get the uni-throater. My re-grind was still not deep enough and rather than have it done again, I bought the uni-throater.

I am currently evaluating some of the new Norma 283 brass. I think it will alleviate the donut issue on the 284 Shehane enough so the longer throat is no longer necessary.

 

[OIF/OEF]

Ive got the 30 caliber Uni Throater kit if you need it

 

[Eddie Harren]

LRGoodger, please explain how PT&G, or any other shop for that matter, can regrind a reamer to make the cutting surface longer. Go back and read Dusty's post.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

They just grind the shoulder and neck back. Just had JGS do one a couple weeks ago.

 

[ryanjay11]

Removing material from the shoulder would lengthen the neck and freebore. Then the neck could be shortened, leaving the freebore longer. LRGoodger said he has had it done. It's pretty simple.

 

[ryanjay11]

Some of the responses on this really make me question the credentials of the "experts".

 

[butchlambert]

Yes it can be done and has been done. You just grind to move all the dimensions back, but leaving the throat-leade longer. I have uni throaters that I use though.

 

[JRS]

I believe Dusty is simply implying that if you wanted to go back to the original dimension, once that material has been removed, you can't do it. If "cheaper" is your concern, you've chosen the wrong hobby.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

They can make a 22 hornet reamer from a 416 rigby reamer too. If theyre gonna regrind the whole reamer ill start new. I cant imagine how many cusswords fly trying to chase a thousandth here then chase it on the other end.

 

[Eddie Harren]

I guess there's more than one way to "skin a cat" but the method describing moving everything back and regrinding the neck is just as much work as making a new reamer. Totally doable though.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

They charge $130 vs $200 at JGS and dont touch the body, only the shoulder and neck. It will make the body diameter a few tenths (.0001) fatter because of the set back. A non issue.

 

[ridgeway]

What diameter does the Uni-throater cut the freebore? For example a .243; does it cut a flat.2430 or maybe say .2433 to .2435 range or is it a dimension that you can specify when you order?

You can specify the FB diameter when you order.

 

[lrgoodger]

LRGoodger, please explain how PT&G, or any other shop for that matter, can regrind a reamer to make the cutting surface longer. Go back and read Dusty's post.

Have you ever looked at a chamber reamer? There is always plenty of room on them to regrind the entire chamber part of the reamer back toward the base by as much as 1/2". It is easy to move it back .100". Here is a photo of my 284 reamer beside a new case. You can see that the reamer is not nearly all driven into the barrel to cut the chamber for that case. Having to regrind basically the whole reamer is why it costs so much.

 

[Eddie Harren]

LRGoodger, I have already acknowledged my obvious ignorance on this matter. I realize that it can be accomplished by grinding the shoulder, neck and body of the reamer. That's just not the way I would address the situation. You are more intelligent than I am. Forgive my ignorance.

 

[timeout]

Not necessarily any indicator of intelligence, but a simple matter of experience with this particular situation. No need for finger pointing on either side. Can't we just all get along?

 

[lrgoodger]

Eddie,

I was just trying to answer your question. I DID miss your second post on this thread. No offense or insult intended. This forum is all about learning and I try to contribute when I can. I feel I owe that much in return for the tremendous wealth of information I have gleaned from this forum.