F T/R Competition Reamer for F T/R Class

l115a3

l115a3

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Jul 28, 2010
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Texas
#1
Hi,


I plan to make a new rifle for shooting in F/TR Class.
Could you please recommend which type of reamer is suitable for my purpose and where I can order those reamer.

Reloading Data;
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2
43.0 of Varget

Bullets ;
.30 Sierra 175 SMK
.30 Berger 175 LRBT
.30 Berger 185 LRBT
 
Last edited:
#2
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

I have one on order from PTG. They have one that they call an FTR reamer. I don't recall the specs other than the .342 neck, (i forget the free bore number, it's been a while), but PTG is considered the place to order reamers. Talking with Dave Kiff he said it's the reamer that GAP uses for their FTR rifles, so I would imagine it's had some thought put into it.

That said, I ordered mine on April 16th. My last email with them at the end of July said it was still a week and a half from making it to the QA department. Based on everything else in this industry that probably means closer to a month and a half so I figure I'll get the reamer sometime in Oct. Don't be in a hurry.
 
#3
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

I had sent them an e-mail but nobody reply.

Do you have a drawing of the FTR Reamer?


I tried to search from many web. There are many comment about proper reamer.

308 Bisley (From PTG)
308 Match/Tactical (From JGS)


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have one on order from PTG. They have one that they call an FTR reamer. I don't recall the specs other than the .342 neck, (i forget the free bore number, it's been a while), but PTG is considered the place to order reamers. Talking with Dave Kiff he said it's the reamer that GAP uses for their FTR rifles, so I would imagine it's had some thought put into it.

That said, I ordered mine on April 16th. My last email with them at the end of July said it was still a week and a half from making it to the QA department. Based on everything else in this industry that probably means closer to a month and a half so I figure I'll get the reamer sometime in Oct. Don't be in a hurry. </div></div>
 
#4
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

When I built my 308 I wanted to shoot FTR with the heavier bergers so I called and talked to Dave at PTG and he recommended the 308 match no neck turn with .123 freebore. He had one in stock and I had it at my door within a week. Had the rifle built with it and I shoot the 185gr Berger Hybrids with it and i'm more than satisfied with the results.
 
#6
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

Can't say, never tried anything other than the 185gr Hybrids. They shoot so well in my rifle I haven't had any reason to switch but I would think that .090 freebore might be the ticket for the bullets you wanna shoot but I could be wrong. I had the 185's and 200 grain hybrids in mind when I built my rifle. Its a 11 twist 28 inch Krieger (4 groove).
 
#7
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

I speced out a .308 reamer for Duplin Rifles not that long ago. The freebore is set ideally for the Berger 185BT (hybrid is a tad too long) down to the 155 class Bergers. I have a .341 neck and a tight base. Once fired Lapua measures .4705" at the largest point at the base of the brass. I think this really helps with high pressure loads like we usually run in FTR. I'd have to pull up my spec sheet to know exactly what the freebore was.
 
#8
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

^^^^Is that something Dave Kiff would have? I'm building a new T/R rig and kind of want to get my own reamer. That way, all my rifles from here on out will all have the same chamber. The reamer my gunsmith has now is great, but I like the idea of having my own.

I'm planning on running the 155 palmas for MR and 185VLD for LR.
 
#12
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

Just got a reply from PTG.


Dave Kiff writes :
For a single shot 308 FTR we recommend a .336 turn nk with .168 fb.  but for our best 308 Win Match, no turn we recommend a .343 nk with .088 fb with 1°-30 . this is also for a rifle that uses a mag box.


Based on his recommend, I prefer the chamber without neck turn. Because I can use Factory Match Ammunition like Federal Gold Medal 175 gr.

So, .343 nk and .088 fb with 1 Degree -30 will enough to tried heavier bullet?
.30 Berger 185 LRBT
.30 Berger 185 Hybrid
 
#13
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Golfy Sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just got a reply from PTG.


Dave Kiff writes :
...but for our best 308 Win Match, no turn we recommend a .343 nk with .088 fb with 1°-30 . this is also for a rifle that uses a mag box....
</div></div>

This is very close to my Bisley Reamer, but i don't remember the nk off the top of my head. This Bisley has produced some fantastic shooters all shooting 175-185 and all mag box fed.
 
#14
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

The reamer I just got from PTG is a combination of what Dave lists above. I got a no turn .342 neck with .168 freebore.

I just got it this month so I don't have a barrel chambered with it yet. After Raton I'll get back to putting together my new rifle.
 
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#15
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

The Bisley reamer has a .343 neck. Dave recommended that one if you need to run magazine length or if running 155 Palma bullets.

For single shot, Dave recommended one with a .336 neck and .160 freebore to run the 185's and beyond.

I went with the 308 FTR reamer. It has .160 freebore, tight body at the web and a .339 neck. I planned on truing up the necks by .0005-.001 so this will be perfect for me. I didn't want to have to turn them down .002+ to work in the .336 neck.

Dave and Kacie were both very helpful in dealing with my questions. I'm looking forward to getting my reamer and sending the new pile of parts out to get put together.
 
#16
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

I lastly end up by put an order as Dave recommend;

1 FTR Reamer with .342 neck and .088 freebore
(Un turned Brass, Magazine )

1 FTR Reamer with .342 neck and .168 freebore
(Un turned Brass, Single Shot)


Just wonder how this freebore will capable with 168 - 175 gr?
 
#17
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

I've got a barrel chambered with a .339 neck, if you use WW brass you can shoot that .339 neck w/o turning. WW runs about .012 to .013 neck thickness so you have plenty of room, just don't ever stick any Lake City or FGGM in there you you may have some pressure problems.
 
#18
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

My worried was about .168 freebore as Dave recommend for single shot will result with long jump when shooting with 168 - 175 gr bullet.


I had read the rifle journal which wrote by Germàn A.Salazar about .308 win chamber for heavier bullet. He mention that the longer freebore than .123" will not proper for bullet lighter than 175 gr.

My plan for selection of bullet that I prefer was
168 - 190 gr.

So, the fb of .168 will create problem with me?
 
#19
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

why not get a reamer with a .123" freebore and as the throat wears just bump your bullet weight up to the 185's or beyond. Just get a 11 twist or faster barrel.

That is my idea and plan but I could be wrong.
 
#20
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Golfy Sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My worried was about .168 freebore as Dave recommend for single shot will result with long jump when shooting with 168 - 175 gr bullet.


I had read the rifle journal which wrote by Germàn A.Salazar about .308 win chamber for heavier bullet. He mention that the longer freebore than .123" will not proper for bullet lighter than 175 gr.

My plan for selection of bullet that I prefer was
168 - 190 gr.

So, the fb of .168 will create problem with me?</div></div>

The .123 freebore will work for the bullet weights you mentioned. As I stated previously im shooting the 185 hybrids and now also shooting the 185 juggernauts with great results. A friend of mine just had a rifle built by the same guy that built mine with all the same components as mine and he even used my reamer (.123) to build it. He shot it today for the 1st time with 175 SMK with Varget and it shoots lights out, for the bullet weights you wanna shoot its good to go. With that being said, if you wanna shoot the 200gr Hybrids and bigger this freebore aint the way to go.
 
#21
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Down South</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Golfy Sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My worried was about .168 freebore as Dave recommend for single shot will result with long jump when shooting with 168 - 175 gr bullet.


I had read the rifle journal which wrote by Germàn A.Salazar about .308 win chamber for heavier bullet. He mention that the longer freebore than .123" will not proper for bullet lighter than 175 gr.

My plan for selection of bullet that I prefer was
168 - 190 gr.

So, the fb of .168 will create problem with me?</div></div>

The .123 freebore will work for the bullet weights you mentioned. As I stated previously im shooting the 185 hybrids and now also shooting the 185 juggernauts with great results. A friend of mine just had a rifle built by the same guy that built mine with all the same components as mine and he even used my reamer (.123) to build it. He shot it today for the 1st time with 175 SMK with Varget and it shoots lights out, for the bullet weights you wanna shoot its good to go. With that being said, if you wanna shoot the 200gr Hybrids and bigger this freebore aint the way to go. </div></div>


Thanks.

The heaviest bullet that I gonna shoot out of my .308 win caliber was 185 LRBT for Berger and 190 for SMK.

But my main bullet should be 175 LRBT and 175 SMK.



So, will contact PTG to reduce freebore from .168 to .123

Don't know why they recommend .168 FB for me.
 
#22
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

FWIW - I have three GAP .308 bolt guns with their standard chamber specs (.342 nk, 1 deg 30, .085 fb). These rifles are sickeningly accurate with pretty much every commercial load I've tried, from 155s to 175s to 190s. Andrew McCourt has also developed a fantastic handload compatible with that particular chamber spec, that pushes 180 JLKs at very close to 2850 fps out of 27and 28" barrels. My point is that the JLK 180 is even slightly longer than the 185 gr LRBT, and the .085 fb seems to do just fine with it. Am I wrong in thinking that a .123 fb seems to be longer than necessary if 185s and/or 190s are the heaviest (longest) projectiles that will be pushed out of it?
 
#23
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usftr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I speced out a .308 reamer for Duplin Rifles not that long ago. The freebore is set ideally for the Berger 185BT (hybrid is a tad too long) down to the 155 class Bergers. I have a .341 neck and a tight base. Once fired Lapua measures .4705" at the largest point at the base of the brass. I think this really helps with high pressure loads like we usually run in FTR. I'd have to pull up my spec sheet to know exactly what the freebore was. </div></div>

What does "tight base mean"?
Excuse my ignorance, but isn't the base unsupported?
 
#24
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

Yea, what is "tight base"? I understand what minimum SAAMI body dimensions are, and that is what is generally associated with a match/accuracy type reamer for a rifle that is not expected to see "field" use, but are you going under minimum in your spec?

Won't say whether it is or is not a good idea; new factory brass tends to be about .002" under minimum.
 
#25
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

.342 nk will suitable for these brass?

Reloading Brass
Lapua Brass
Federal Brass

Factory Ammo
Federal Gold Medal 168 - 175
Blackhill Match 175 SMK
M118LR
 
#27
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

We are down to 1-6 weeks now . We had been out to 4-10 weeks but our new machines are kicking but. I think your reamer is up in shipping now and has been there for a day or two . Call me as I have a question. Thanks Dave @ 541-826-5808
 
#30
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

I got my rifle back from the guys at Predator a week or so ago but I finally got to do some chamber measurements with my new F-TR reamer. I'm very happy with the results, my ogive measurement with a 185Berger is 2.330 and an OAL that is well over 2.9, closer to 3.0 not that I look at that often. With both the 185 Bergers and the 178HPBTs it looks like the tail is probably just at the end of the neck when I'm at the lands. I'd say it's about perfect.

Now to get some bullets put together and start doing load work.
 
#31
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

Whisky, did you get an expected delivery date from Dave when you ordered yours? Mine took about 8 weeks which is just a touch longer than they expected. I would think yours would be close...
 
#33
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

If you call the shop they should be able to tell you where it's it in the process. I called them because I was leaving for an elk trip and would be gone for a couple weeks right around the time my reamer would be getting finished. They were very helpful in telling where it was and how long it would be.
 
#35
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AllenP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usftr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I speced out a .308 reamer for Duplin Rifles not that long ago. The freebore is set ideally for the Berger 185BT (hybrid is a tad too long) down to the 155 class Bergers. I have a .341 neck and a tight base. Once fired Lapua measures .4705" at the largest point at the base of the brass. I think this really helps with high pressure loads like we usually run in FTR. I'd have to pull up my spec sheet to know exactly what the freebore was. </div></div>

What does "tight base mean"?
Excuse my ignorance, but isn't the base unsupported? </div></div>

Lapua brass has very little room for expansion in the base. Winchester is smaller and has plenty of room for expansion.
 
#36
Re: Reamer for F T/R Class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usftr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AllenP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usftr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I speced out a .308 reamer for Duplin Rifles not that long ago. The freebore is set ideally for the Berger 185BT (hybrid is a tad too long) down to the 155 class Bergers. I have a .341 neck and a tight base. Once fired Lapua measures .4705" at the largest point at the base of the brass. I think this really helps with high pressure loads like we usually run in FTR. I'd have to pull up my spec sheet to know exactly what the freebore was. </div></div>

What does "tight base mean"?
Excuse my ignorance, but isn't the base unsupported? </div></div>

Lapua brass has very little room for expansion in the base. Winchester is smaller and has plenty of room for expansion. </div></div>


So, could you please give an estimated of adding charge when change from Lapua Brass to Winchester Brass?

0.5 gr?
 
#38
F/TR chamber reaming

g_abac said:
My worried was about .168 freebore as Dave recommend for single shot will result with long jump when shooting with 168 - 175 gr bullet.


I had read the rifle journal which wrote by Germàn A.Salazar about .308 win chamber for heavier bullet. He mention that the longer freebore than .123" will not proper for bullet lighter than 175 gr.

My plan for selection of bullet that I prefer was
168 - 190 gr.

So, the fb of .168 will create problem with me?
Click to expand...

It's been my experience that the ogive on the 168, 175 and 185 Bergers (LR BTHP) is the same and it's primarily the length of the bullet that's different and thus the different weight. Berger has always recommended OTL or a slight jamb. That being the case, I could recommend 1) seating depth with all 3 weights to achieve the same COL with all 3 weights or 2) Use soft seating and use a COL that you know will push the bullet onto the lands. I have used 2) for years now with great success. Soft seating has allowed me to achieve an ES of 9 and a SD of 3 for 10 round groups. Those are my best numbers, but ES of 20 and SD of 5 are common.
 
#40
Even though I prefer the Bisley for my go to reamer for Factory loads and hand loads up to a.185 grain bullet with a detachable mag or standard Remington. The FT-R team reamer with .168 freebore flat kicks with the 185 thru 210 bullets . the 308 m118 and 308 match with a .123 freebore that the tactical builders get from me is fantastic for hand loads and Black Hills and Military ammunition , I have a lot of Gas Gun manufacturers use it for Match AR ,s .
 
#41
I have a 32" Medium Palma Bartlein 1:13 twist with a .299 bore.

I'd like to run the 155 Lapua Scenar with Lapua brass. This will be a dedicated FT-R rig and will not be fed from a mag.

Same reamers as above? Or total different animal?

Thanks,


Vu
 
#44
Vu, I have had better luck with a 1x11 twist for the 155 Scenars at a grand. Up close a 1x12 works great but groups are better at 1000 with 155 Scenars, for me with an 11 twist.

The reamer that the Animal has works great. The 175 grain match chamber reamer is also great for 155 Scenars.

Now if you want to shoot 185s-220s I have a reamer you can borrow. Throat is too long for 155s but works great from 185-220s
 
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