Is Neck Turning worth it?

[Eznutz]

I have read some of the forums on 6mmbr and have an aquaintance that turned me on the idea but i haven't seen any data or results that sway me.

I'm curious for to see if any of you have any actual data or before and after pics that can show me if its worth the investment (time and money).

I am mostly a paper puncher and steel shooter.

I am a budget shooter so investment is a legitimate concern for me. I have priced different rigs out there and see that for about $180 i can be into the right equipment, that includes the trimmer, case holder, mandrel and expander for 1 cartridge.

So what i am asking....If you have results would you share them and recommend what equipment you use. I would be using it for a 308 and if i was impressed enough then i'd use it on my 223 as well but initially just the first cartridge to see what my results would be.

Just for your info my average 5 round group size right now in my 308 ranges from .65 in to 75in. I have shot better and worse but average is roughly in that ball park if i do my part.

Thanks for your input.

 

[30SMK]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

Whether or not neck turning is important is depending on the type of shooting you do and the rig you are shooting. One 308 I shoot in 600yd competitions I noticed a difference turning some LC brass down. I was shooting a few fliers out the the 8 ring every now and then and my 1st practice session with the newly turned brass I only had 2 out of 40 shots out of the 10 ring. I did not see very much of an increase in accuracy at short distances, it was shooting .3-.5" consistently and it stayed right about there.

I purely turned these necks to be more concentric as my chamber has a .340 neck and will accommodate un-turned brass.

If you have a tight match chamber you might have to turn necks. My 6BR has a .267 neck and I turn a couple thou off to get clearance.

If you are a budget shooter and want to improve your groups their are probably better places to spend your money, and .65-.75" ain't too bad depending on what rig/scope combination you are running. Are you doing things like uniforming primer pockets, deburring flash holes, sorting bullets, Etc.... There are a lot of tricks people do to squeeze a little more accuracy out of their rig.

Good luck

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

I would try some Lapua brass in the .308 before I went to the trouble and expense of neck turning in a standard chamber. You will essentially be doing the same thing. Just my opinion.

Regards, Paul

 

[Eznutz]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

I'm running a rem 700 with a shilen barrel and a vortex pst mil/mil scope.

I don't know the exact dimension of my chamber. I read it can be measured by taking the average of fired cases. If that is the case i'll look at them and see, then get back and post what i find later today.

I do sort my brass by manufacturer but i haven't sorted it to weight. I do clean the flash hole but have not uniformed the flash hole.

Its an accurate rifle and will definatly shoot. If it took your groups from a flyer every ten to a couple every 40 then i'm impressed. What equipment do you use to neck turn?

 

[Eznutz]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

I've looked at the lapua brass option and will have to give that a try next before i pursue neck turning.

 

[30SMK]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

sinclair 1000 neck turning tool and a small handheld drill. That is just one example right after I finished neck turning. It could have been the wind wasn't as shifty that day or the lot of bullets I was shooting has a more consistent BC bullet to bullet. The main reason I do it is for every thing to be concentric. Like I said it didn't change my groups in my initial load development at 100 and 200 yards. I shoot steel at 600yards with my stock 30-06 savage that I have done nothing to the brass, gun, or bullets and it hits a 12x18" plate every time with a 3x9 scope.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

IMHO neck turning is worth it, but its a lot of work, I only use Win 7-08 or Win 243 brass in my 260, I'm turning the necks to .0135, that's about a 60-75% clean up, I use a 21st Century kit, it cost 115 delivered.

http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/

 

[JByrd]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

No

 

[turbo54]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

I certainly wouldn't advocate neck turning to improve accuracy of a .6-.7 moa rifle.

In my opinion, neck turning is a way to get from .15 or .2 moa down to .1 or .15.

Unless you enjoy time at the reloading bench as much or more than time at the range, with the wife or with the kids, forget neck turning.

 

[oldfatguy]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eznutz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've looked at the lapua brass option and will have to give that a try next before i pursue neck turning. </div></div>

Just got finished turning some 260 Rem Lapua brass. Why did I turn it? Because the neck wall thickness varied from 0.015" to 0.017" on the same case. Those were the worst with some almost perfect but most had close to a one thousandths difference in thickness.

So I turned them all to 0.015" with about a 90% clean up. Used K&M turning tool, case holder, and expander.

OFG
OFG

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

Is it worth it? Probably not. But I do it.

I turn 3 times in the life of the case. The first time to remove 80% of the brass, then I do a second turn to get me to my final dimension. Then, after 3 firings, I do another turn because a lot of the brass flows down the neck after the first 3 firings.

I did my 3rd turn on some brass last night. 50 cases about an housr and a half. I could do it faster, but I hand turn while I watch TV. I figure, with the gains I get in consistent neck tension and concentricity, I am OK doing it when I am getting case life of upwards of 20 firings.

For most people, it is not worth it. I agree that the benefits are marginal. When it comes to reloading, most of the anal retentive things we do have marginal benefit, but I seek perfection in my loads.

 

[Eznutz]

Re: Is Neck Turning worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it worth it? Probably not. But I do it.

When it comes to reloading, most of the anal retentive things we do have marginal benefit, but I seek perfection in my loads. </div></div>

Thats what sort of what i figured. I guess the question ends up being if i am anal retentive or not?

From what the majority of your replies have been it looks as though i will save my money and buy more ammo. Thanks for your input.