Outside neck turning?

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
sharptailhunter
Senior Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:26 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage Model 12FV
Location: Southeast Idaho

Outside neck turning?

Post by sharptailhunter »

For those of you who do this, which brand/model of turner are you using? Have you noticed any appreciable improvements in accuracy?
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RAMOS
Senior Member
Posts: 765
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:30 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage Model 12 FLV, Cooper M21
Location: Sherman County, Oregon

Re: Outside neck turning?

Post by RAMOS »

I use a RCBS with micrometer adjustment. I trim until 30-40% of the neck is cleaned up. Shooting Cooper and Remingtons with factory tubes. As for accuracy, there are many strong and conflicting opinions here. I do it because I enjoy it and, it MAY help. I'm positive it does not hurt accuracy!!
Fred_C_Dobbs
Senior Member
Posts: 237
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:13 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12 Varminter Low Profile

Re: Outside neck turning?

Post by Fred_C_Dobbs »

sharptailhunter, if you'll excuse me not directly answering your question, I tried neck turning for a while. I definitely had better consistency but the process was a PITA to me (I'm the guy who got "Cs" in Jr Hi shop class), then I discovered Lee collet neck sizing dies. I never compared them head-to-head but both show improved accuracy over body sizing alone with no special attention given to the neck. And the collet neck sizing, IMHO, gives 90% of the benefit of neck turning for 10% of the time and effort.
sharptailhunter
Senior Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:26 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage Model 12FV
Location: Southeast Idaho

Re: Outside neck turning?

Post by sharptailhunter »

Thanks for the replies guys. Fred, I'm thinking about neck sizing and I have wondered if first turning the necks then using a bushing type neck sizing die (Wilson, Redding,or Lee) to size them. My thinking is that by first turning them, they all should be uniform in diameter and therefore I'd be more apt to getting a little more consistent neck sizes. Is it worth all the hassle? Probably not, but it's stuff like that that I enjoy doing, so I don't mind the extra work.
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wirelessguy2005
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Posts: 663
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Custom 20 SCC, Savage LRPV 20 Nitro , Howa 1500 204 Ruger
Location: Indiana

Re: Outside neck turning?

Post by wirelessguy2005 »

There are many opinions on neck turning, so here is my 2 cents. Most reloaders that neck turn have agreed that they have noticed very minimal if any gain in accuracy. Generally the only time you really need to neck turn your brass is when you have a rifle that is custom chambered with a tight neck. If it was me i would buy a good set of dies such as Redding or Forster versus spending money on a neck turning when your rifle doesn't require it. Personally I have been using a set of Redding Deluxe Dies (non bushing) for most of my reloading and to be honest the rifle and ammunition are capable of better accuracy than i am. When shooting my 17 Fireball recently i was able to attain a 3 shot group that measured .194 center to center. I accomplished that with ammunition that had been neck sized only using my redding dies. In my humble opinion the money you spend on a good set of dies is most likely the best investment you can make in relation to accuracy. Again just my 2 cents.

Brad
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Silverfox
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Posts: 937
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:51 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12VLP purchased in June 2004 + 2 other custom .204s
Location: NW North Dakota

Re: Outside neck turning?

Post by Silverfox »

I use a K&M neck turner on casing necks for my custom chambered rifles. I do not turn necks for rifles that have factory chambers.
Catch ya L8R--Silverfox
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