Neck tension

[BrentM]

Do any of you play with it or set it and tweak the loads? One of my rifles seems to really like .004-.005. Test load shown.

It got me side tracked because I usually target .002ish and leave it for all rifles.

 

[Rick Richard]

2 to 3 thousands and leave alone for me.

 

[338 dude]

2 or 3 is good for me.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I've started to use 4.
After spring back I'm thinking 3.5 net

Brings me back to neck turning again, I dont do it yet. But it would have to contribute to consistency when manipulating the OD and ID.
And i'm annealing after each firing now.

 

[cajun]

I've seen reports of guys having success with .004. I think it's the same thing you sometimes see when using a light taper crimp. I would say you will need more data points. 4 shots is not a big sample size.

 

[BrentM]

I've started to use 4.
After spring back I'm thinking 3.5 net

Brings me back to neck turning again, I dont do it yet. But it would have to contribute to consistency when manipulating the OD and ID.
And i'm annealing after each firing now.

Yes I agree. I used to turn all my necks period. Got away from it using mandrels but think I'm going to do it again even using a mandrel. It's easy and makes everything concentric

 

[BrentM]

I've seen reports of guys having success with .004. I think it's the same thing you sometimes see when using a light taper crimp. I would say you will need more data points. 4 shots is not a big sample size.

Ageeed. I did test with lesser tension and it's not even close to that. Just got my little brain to thinking.

 

[HuntnPack]

I use .002-.003 nt on Berger's.
On mono's with reduced pressure groove design
.004 nt seems to work well.

 

[ShtrRdy]

If you change neck interference, (tension), do you need to re-tune the load to see if it made a difference?

 

[cajun]

If you change neck interference, (tension), do you need to re-tune the load to see if it made a difference?

If I had a max load near the lands I might back it off a little. My belief is that a light crimp from say a lee factory crimp or a little extra tension gives a more consistent bullet release and can increase pressure slightly. I also think a little more tension can help if your neck thickness has some variation. Of course I could full of bull too haha.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I've started using bushings & mandrels. I keep a consistent .002" NT, and have been happy with the results. Seating pressure is noticeably more consistent since I started with the mandrels.

Only Hammer bullets get more NT, around .004". I've had better results with Hammers without crimping. Hammer shooters should try both (with & without). You could be surprised.

 

[BrentM]

Not

If you change neck interference, (tension), do you need to re-tune the load to see if it made a difference

Not generally unless pushing the max pretty hard. Usually im more concerned when jamming which I don't do anymore.

 

[Rick Richard]

If you change neck interference, (tension), do you need to re-tune the load to see if it made a difference? my curiosity

Test only to satisfy my curiosity

 

[wasskeet]

Brent, others - could you post what each component measurement is to arrive at a given neck tension?
Ex:
loaded round = X
bushing used = X
mandrel (if used) = X
etc.