Poll: neck trimming

[latedays]

I'm contemplating following the rabbit hole a bit further with the addition of case turning. Not for length, but uniform neck wall thickness and concentricity. I'd like to hear from other people that actively turn case necks, or used to.

Did you notice any noticeable difference in your loads? Lower SD and/or ES? Better groups? Less fliers? Overall more consistency?

I've read a fair amount about it, but still on the fence and just looking for your opinions.

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[Member 34319]

I've turned a few necks on some 223 rounds. From a precision standpoint it makes sense, from the accuracy standpoint, I'm uncertain if that is the reason or if load or seating depth is helping. Too many factors involved with my loads lately, I really should only change one at a time. However I'm getting really good results. .3-.4" groupings using 52 grain ballistic tips while turning the necks to .012 at 100 yards from my Ruger American Ranch. If anything I'll state it adds to the consistency of my loads.

If you don't want to turn your necks down you could always just purchase new brass each time you load. Lapua brass, I find to be the most consistent in walk thickness, but pricey. Surprisingly, lake city brass is pretty consistent by year stamp, however one years may be completely different than another's.

 

[Goosebrown]

What you're talking about is usually not called neck trimming, which is for length, but case turning for neck thickness and concentricity

It helps me but it's an investment and not worth ALL that much without custom dies and neck expander with annealing.

If it were me I'd worry about really getting the charge exact with a really accurate scale.

If you do want to turn cases, call Roger at K&M Precision Shooting Products, tell him what you want to do and follow his advice.

Good luck!

 

[latedays]

What you're talking about is usually not called neck trimming, which is for length, but case turning for neck thickness and concentricity

It helps me but it's an investment and not worth ALL that much without custom dies and neck expander with annealing.

If it were me I'd worry about really getting the charge exact with a really accurate scale.

If you do want to turn cases, call Roger at K&M Precision Shooting Products, tell him what you want to do and follow his advice.

Good luck!

Yes, neck turning! My mistake. I picked up an A&D fx-120i scale. Havent had a chance to put it to use yet.

 

[saxon]

wait till you start weighing your brass

 

[Member 34319]

wait till you start weighing your brass

And projectiles.

Or measuring each projectile and sorting them by weight and dimensions!

Or, breaking that one or two bits of extruded powder by hand for that ever exact weight.

The rabbit hole is pretty deep.

 

[Member 34319]

Also, depending on if you are brand specific or not, it isn't too expensive to get into. A K&M turner and pilot should only run you about $60-$70.

 

[DizzyJ]

As mentioned, neck turning is just the start. You'll need to do a lot of other things to really see the benefits of it.

Another way to go about it is to buy a large amount of brass and just segregate it by neck thickness runout. This will save you the time of turning all of the case necks and help you achieve the same results.

And yes, weighing the brass, deburring the flash hole, annealing the brass, trimming all to the exact same length, etc, etc, etc

 

[jordanka16]

Unless your brass has uneven necks, or you have a rifle with a tight chamber, probably won't make any difference.

Better off doing what dizzy said, just sort out any bad necks.

 

[saxon]

And projectiles.

Or measuring each projectile and sorting them by weight and dimensions!

Or, breaking that one or two bits of extruded powder by hand for that ever exact weight.

The rabbit hole is pretty deep.

lol yea mmm hmmmm 168 grain hmmmmm sierra you are off with a low of 165 to 171 on the match kings

 

[Caveman Jim]

Man, this talk is just too deep for me, I'm stayin in my cave.

 

[Goosebrown]

And projectiles.

Or measuring each projectile and sorting them by weight and dimensions!

Or pointing your bullets vs trimming the meplat.

 

[Goosebrown]

Also, depending on if you are brand specific or not, it isn't too expensive to get into. A K&M turner and pilot should only run you about $60-$70.

Unless you get the carbide pilot with the interior blade to cut down the interior neck donughts...

 

[Goosebrown]

lol yea mmm hmmmm 168 grain hmmmmm sierra you are off with a low of 165 to 171 on the match kings

Ha! Buy Berger. A box of 500 will be within 1 grain. I don't weigh them any more.

 

[Member 34319]

Or pointing your bullets vs trimming the meplat.

That's a new one for me. Lol.

 

[Goosebrown]

I point not trim. It brought my scores up 2-3 points.

Pointing Basics — How to Use a Bullet Pointing Die System « Daily Bulletin

 

[Mikej]

"Neck Trimming"? Yeah, I do it. I've got more hair on my neck than I do on top of my head. Looks weird if I don't trim.

 

[P7M13]

"Neck Trimming"? Yeah, I do it. I've got more hair on my neck than I do on top of my head. Looks weird if I don't trim.

Don't forget to trim your eyebrows, and pluck your nose and ear hairs too.
The whole point is consistency.

 

[Velzey]

No!

Proper load development will do wonders.

 

[Mikej]

Don't forget to trim your eyebrows, and pluck your nose and ear hairs too.
The whole point is consistency.

Forget? Those damned eyebrows grow some wild ones. Not all of them mind you, just a few. Sneak up on me and grab into the eye lashes. Drives me nuts!