neck turning

[mark mcj]

I would like to start turning the case necks for my .308 and I really don't know exactly what to get. I'm looking at my mail order catalogs and I would like to get the right stuff from the get go.
Help point me in the right direction.

 

[pooch]

Go with the K&M tool.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

For the thickest brass with the longest life try to find a large batch of GI brass of the same maker like WCC and the same year as that is your best choice.

I always loaded a thousand rounds of my 06 brass that way and they served me well.

 

[bogie]

Do you have a tight-necked chamber? If not, you're not going to get a great deal out of it. What you want to do is get the K&M tool, and then set it to take maybe 50% of the "high" brass off the necks.

Personally, I'd just use Lee collet dies, and not worry about it.

 

[Kimber Kid]

Without guality brass and dies, neck turning isn't going to do you much good. All your ducks must be in a row. I use the K&M tool to just clean up any out of roundness. The problem is that out of roundness goes completely down the case. If I can help E-mail me.

 

[mark mcj]

All right then, I guess I won't need to go to neck turning.
I'm running a factory 700 VS in .308 with RCBS dies and that's about it.
From what I'm reading, neck turning isn't a "magic bullet" kinda' thing. Not that I was really expecting it to be but I was thinking I would see some kind of preformance boost.

I'll spend the money on more bullets and powder and try to shoot my barrel out so I can replace it with a custom smoke pole.

Thanks for the replys and advice.

 

[dakotasin]

your decision is a good one...

i did want to point out, though, that turning case necks also helps w/ bullet tension, not just an out of round condition.

when the day comes that you decide to start turning case necks (and the day will come eventually - i think every handloader is destined to at least experiment in this torturous excercise), stay away from the forester model. it might be a pretty good product if not for the plastic handle the breaks so easily.

 

[Dave P]

Bogie has the right idea: K&M if you must, but I bet you won't see any change, esp with a factory bbl. Lee collet die gives me the most concentric rnds.

Use your money for bullets:

One lesson I have re-learned many times is to not scrimp on bullets! Noslers and Sierras are great, but be sure to try some customs (Barts maybe) once or twice, too!

 

[bogie]

Actually, the best neck turner is probably the pumpkin.

If you get a K&M, call Ron Hoehn, and order a carbide mandrel.

Had a thought - If you're shooting a factory .308, don't even bother to neck turn - Just order some Lapua brass (Hoehn usually has it).

Bart Sauter makes some GREAT bullets.

 

[KP95DAO]

Whether you turn or not I would suggest Lake City Match (with cannalure) brass and a Redding Competition seater. Failing the LC brass get some FC brass.