What is within scope when ordering a chamber reamer?

[BuffaloBill]

I wish to purchase a 22BRA finish reamer. I’d like a 0.250 neck and (I think) a 0.100 freebore. I built a 6BRA (using the JGS #1 Wheeler reamer) last year and am using a Micron FL bushing sizing die with Lapua brass. This die is working well to resize brass fired in the 6BRA chamber, as would be expected since Alex shared his dimensions with Micron.

My thought with the 22BRA is to be able to use the same Micron die, with appropriate bushing, to also size Lapua brass necked down and turned, for 22BRA. So am thinking the 22BRA reamer print would ideally have the same body dimensions as the 6BRA#1 print. Is my thought process on-track?

I called JGS a week ago Monday to discuss this and was emailed a 22BRA print already in their system, for review of the body dimensions. The body taper on that print differed some amount relative to the 6BRA#1 print. I sent the next morning a reply email to ask if the body dimensions could be made the same as the #1, etc.

Last Friday I called them, not to pester them, but to confirm my message made it to them, as I had received no reply via email or phone. Yes, my email was received and was behind about 13 other emails I was told. I don’t mind waiting my turn as long as I know an answer is forthcoming. I realize I am a tiny customer of theirs having only ordered a couple bushing sets and one reamer in the past few years.

My main question to you more experienced folks, is if what I’m asking for is out of the ordinary. I can perhaps use the body dims shown on the print already in their system. I don’t feel it would be appropriate for me to share their print here, but the body TPI are: 0.11325 for the 6BRA#1 and 0.11313 on the existing 22BRA print.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Got a dummy round of your round? That's what I do. Make/build it to MY SPECS, send it in and have them copy/cut a reamer to THOSE specs. Worked good for the last few I've had made.

 

[WSnyder]

You most certainly could ask for the same BRA #1 body specs but with the front end for a 22 and your specified FB if that is what you want.

I will add that unless things have changed there is only one guy at JGS that takes care of inputing the reamer specs into the system to generate a print so yes you sometimes have to wait awhile for him to do his job.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I think JGS will make you a reamer however you want. If it doesn't work it's your problem. The dimensions you asked for will likely be correct.

I'm not familiar with the Micron resizing die so I can't comment if it would work for both calibers.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Ok thank. I’ll just give it another week before I call again.

 

[TylerFromMS]

Ok thank. I’ll just give it another week before I call again.

Jaz was behind over the long weekend/holiday. Email usually works really well for contacting them, just FYI.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Jaz was behind over the long weekend/holiday. Email usually works really well for contacting them, just FYI.

Thanks,

It was Nicolle who took my call and emailed me the print. She mentioned a Nathan who would be updating the neck diameter and freebore I asked for. This was before I asked if the body dimensions could be made the same as the other reamer, and I wasn’t sure if that request pushed me to the bottom of the list or something. I’ll just try to be patient.

I either have in-hand or on order soon to arrive, all the other parts & tooling to do up a couple 22BRAs. So the reamer will be the long lead time item. I’ve got a couple emails in to Nicolle so hopefully will hear back from her soon.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Got a dummy round of your round? That's what I do. Make/build it to MY SPECS, send it in and have them copy/cut a reamer to THOSE specs. Worked good for the last few I've had made.

That sounds like the best way to optimize the freebore for a given bullet.

I’d like to be able to shoot both the Berger 85.5 grain and also something lighter like their 60 grain varmint. So I attempted to use the case and bullet dimensions to pick a freebore that would keep the rear of the 85.5 bearing surface out of the shoulder/neck junction. If I did that correctly, a 0.100 freebore should position it about 40 thousandths ahead of the junction when the ogive is at the lands.

 

[SBS]

I think JGS will make you a reamer however you want. If it doesn't work it's your problem. The dimensions you asked for will likely be correct.

I'm not familiar with the Micron resizing die so I can't comment if it would work for both calibers.

Maybe the OP is referring to Newlon dies, which come blank, needing reamed for your case??

 

[BuffaloBill]

Maybe the OP is referring to Newlon dies, which come blank, needing reamed for your case??

It’s just a bushing die. Uses the same dimension bushings as Redding and others and is purchased cartridge specific.

 

[Jud96]

I don’t think I’d worry about .0001 of body taper difference, that’s going to fall within the tolerance of the grind.

 

[clowdis]

JGS will make your reamer to any dimensions you ask for. However, I have found that altering body dimensions can get you in trouble faster than anything else. Also there is very little to be gained by altering the standard body dimensions. You can change the throat and neck dimensions to suit your needs but I think I would leave the body alone.

 

[ELR LVR]

I don’t think I’d worry about .0001 of body taper difference, that’s going to fall within the tolerance of the grind.

This is true
If you ask for tighter than .0005" tolerance, they will charge you extra anyway
I once asked for -.0000/+.0003
and was quoted an extra $105 for the "Tight Tolerance"
either that or accept +/- .0005"

 

[SBS]

It’s just a bushing die. Uses the same dimension bushings as Redding and others and is purchased cartridge specific.

Thanks for the info and link. Had never seen those.

 

[urbanrifleman]

You want a 255 neck for no turn Lapua.
Tell them you want Alex Wheeler 6bra body dimensions. Or if you want, tell them you want my reamer and change the freebore.

 

[BuffaloBill]

I don’t think I’d worry about .0001 of body taper difference, that’s going to fall within the tolerance of the grind.

That’s what I was thinking too. If updating the body dimensions becomes a show-stopper, I would go with what they have.

 

[LVLAaron]

I usually ask for a print that's close to what I want... mark/change the dimensions in adobe acrobat and send it back to them

 

[BuffaloBill]

I usually ask for a print that's close to what I want... mark/change the dimensions in adobe acrobat and send it back to them

Maybe I should do that. What I had done was site the dimensions that differed between the two prints, by their alpha character in a reply email. At this point any reply communication would be good.

 

[ELR LVR]

Maybe I should do that. What I had done was site the dimensions that differed between the two prints, by their alpha character in a reply email. At this point any reply communication would be good.

Why dontcha try Manson
they will answer the phone or reply to emails
thats how I've ordered mine
they are very accomodating in my experience
---
And they cut like butter, just like a JGS
---
when changing the specs of a reamer print
I print out a copy, White out what I want to change, write it in, then photocopy that drawing onto my harddrive through my printer again
then email them the drawing
---
once I only wanted 2 dimensions changed from a standard "In Stock" Reamer
, Neck OD and Freebore
We simply took care of that and confirmed it through emails without a drawing needed
and a price was given in the final confirmation email before grinding it

 

[WSnyder]

Maybe I should do that. What I had done was site the dimensions that differed between the two prints, by their alpha character in a reply email. At this point any reply communication would be good.

If you send them a print with all of the numbers you want up front it will speed up the works for everyone involved including the rest of the customers waiting in line. If you make a mistake the guy entering the numbers will generally fix it and they’ll send you a corrected print for approval. Sometimes there are minute dimensional changes when the software processes all of your numbers when generating a print so expect that as well.