Using a throating reamer to do the throat ?

[Shrek]

I'm going to be ordering a couple of reamers and I have the idea to order them no throats and order a separate throating reamer so I can customize the throats for bullet and action lengths. What are the up and down sides to this ?

 

[ridgeway]

None...just need a way of keeping a regular throating reamer from going too deep. The UNI Throaters are nice and extremely repeatable with the threaded body and stop. I've done quite a few barrels to lengthen the throat in another operation. All came out super...

 

[Shrek]

Are you doing the throats with the lathe or by hand after chambering ?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Sometimes I wonder... Some of the ones I did a separate throating on are some of the best. I know of one shooter who throats after every match to clean up. Hes world record class, and always a top competitor... He does it by hand, so guaranteed its wallowed out by now.

 

[Shrek]

I'm happy to hear it's not a crazy idea ! I'm just doing it for a hobby so the time to do it in a second operation means nothing to me. I was worried there might be some issue I was blind to.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Id still buy the reamer with the throat on it for the really common ones, like the 284. Everyone is shooting 180s with a .230 ish freebore. What you run into is not being able to duplicate the throat for a guy the same everytime with a throater. No issue for a hunting gun but a pain for a competitor who is looking for consistency.

 

[ridgeway]

I keep mine set up in the lathe simply to hold and spin while the UNI throater held by hand.

 

[DaveTooley]

On a good day I can use a dummy round like a head space gage. Start the process, measure depth using the dummy round and then complete the reaming. That's on a good day. Most of the time it's =/- .010" or so I think.

 

[Shrek]

So , downsides are a lack of repeatability of throat length and hard to get the throat length exactly where you intend ?

 

[ridgeway]

If you use a standard throating reamer, you can always make a stop that attaches to the reamer shank. A simple collar with a set screw will work...

 

[tclaunch]

The Lambeth reamer stop works great for throating. I set it on zero, insert the throater in till she stops. Slide the reamer stop against the barrel tenon, and tighten it. I dial in how far, and run the lathe on slowest speed with plenty lube, ease it along till your there. I got lucky, my throated leaves a better finish than several of my reamers.