Tiratore
Active member
Me too.
20 Vartag
- Thread starter DamDave
- Start date
TheCZKid
Well-known member
I use a Shars tube micrometer, with thin metal rod, to get into the 17 caliber necks
Shars 0-1" Tube Micrometer with Pin Anvil, .0001" Graduation 303-2350 P: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Shars 0-1" Tube Micrometer with Pin Anvil, .0001" Graduation 303-2350 P: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Rick in Oregon
Well-known member
I use the same tubing mic, except mine is a Mitutoyo.
Most tubing mic's will measure to the 4th place decimal, plenty accurate enough for case neck thickness measurements.
And accuracy is what it's all about, right?
Most tubing mic's will measure to the 4th place decimal, plenty accurate enough for case neck thickness measurements.
And accuracy is what it's all about, right?
TheCZKid
Well-known member
K&M has a nice set-up. The neck turner can be put in a grip which makes it a lot easier to control. And, they have a case holder you can put in a drill motor, and an outer housing which makes it easier to use. I ended up putting rubber Talon grip material on the outside, so I'm able to tighten the case in the shell-holder.
You think hand held is better than a bench mount unit?
TheCZKid
Well-known member
I've only done it this way, so I don't have a comparison. It works well for me, I have done many thousand cases, as I use and also sell 20 Vartarg brass, plus now turn for 221 FB, 20 Practical and 17 Mach IV. I started doing my 22-250 cases recently, as I see the practical reason for it. If it's just to skim turn necks, to make them more uniform, so they have more consistent neck tension, and such.
kiwishooter
Well-known member
I like the larger adapter that holds the neck turning tool, is it just a round piece of aluminium with a slot for the tool?
After spending most of my life working spanners I have a bit of carpel tunnel so any prolonged use of smaller tools i end up with quite a bit of pain.
The latter Sinclair neck turning tool and the Pumpkin are a lot less painful to use.
kiwishooter
Well-known member
I built a gear motor set up quite a few years ago, what speed does yours turn at?
IIRC........it's a Baldor 1/8hp right-angle gearmotor.....172rpm.....41 inch-pounds of torque. I think I've a pic somewhere.
I use the K&M carbide neck-turning pilots exclusively..........i.e. no galling and leaves a very smooth burnished neck-wall interior.
For more neck-wall thickness uniformity.......I go at a moderate pace, to keep the turner at a moderate temperature......and not overheat.....causing neck thickness "drift".
From the pic......you can see the Ferguson's gage I use for checking neck-wall thickness runout (T.I.R.)..........to insure that the setup does indeed turn necks within 0.0001" T.I.R.
I check every turned case.
Kevin
I also use a gearmotor, mine is a GE straight drive. I turns at 177 rpm. I made a holder out of walnut for the K&M cutter that's shaped to my hand. It reduces any cramps from long periods of neck turning. Due to age , my shoulders don't like reaching up. I sit on a large rolling stool adjusted to a comfortable height. I made a small box to fit between my knees for the gearmotor. This allows me to sit with my back straight, hand holding the K&M cutter resting lightly on my leg. My other hand rests on the motor/switch. I now only turn for an hour or so and then take a break. I have a 17 and 20 cal permanently sit up. Many of my cases designs are from the 17 and 20 Jav Imp reamer ran in various lengths so the necks are the same thickness. I also have a couple cutters I can adjust. Some brass requires a heavy cut. I'll adjust the cutter to remove most of the thickness and with the case still held on the motor I recut the neck with the permanent sit up cutter. This is mainly a skim cut leaving a nice uniform finish. The carbide pilots are really the only way to go. I keep a feeler gauge handy to spot check every now and then the cutter clearance. K&M uses a Bellville washer (I think that's what it called) to lock the cutter in place. It's concaved and over time it will flatten out losing it's grip on the cutter and the cutter will move. I've had to replace 2 on the 6 tools I have. It took me a lot of time to figure that one out.
Funny I have the same set up. I turned bunch for my 204 then went to Bruno’s and picked up both adapters and are welll worth it.
Since then also added carbide cutter (think it’s 33 degree) and carbide mandrel.
Both my 204R and 20VT have 232 necks so comes in handy
TheCZKid
Well-known member
I just got a 17 Mach IV built by Gre-Tan for another person. It's marked .199" Neck. The fellow I purchased it from was using brass from "Sleeping Giant", their 17FB brass from LC, and loading them without turning the necks. They're supposed to be .015" thick. He said his necks were constantly splitting, and he was annealing them every firing... I'm pretty sure it's why he sold the gun at a good price (from my perspective 
), as it seemed like a "problem rifle"
I have been testing how thin I needed to make my necks. I started at about .01225" and realize even that was too thick! The ones about .0112" are working perfect. They release the bullets well now, allowing the right clearance. I had to get a .193" bushing for the S die to size the thinner necks. It's amazing how important these little details are! Caused the former owner to get rid of the rifle. The load is now shooting wonderfully. Very happy.
), as it seemed like a "problem rifle"I have been testing how thin I needed to make my necks. I started at about .01225" and realize even that was too thick! The ones about .0112" are working perfect. They release the bullets well now, allowing the right clearance. I had to get a .193" bushing for the S die to size the thinner necks. It's amazing how important these little details are! Caused the former owner to get rid of the rifle. The load is now shooting wonderfully. Very happy.
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I'm not referencing the 20VT but there is variations in reamers out there also but in 17 cals ive seen .197- .205 necks on reamer prints.
I cant remember for sure but I think Todd's first 20VT reamer had a .226 nk I've also seen a 20PPC reamer with a .226 nk
17VLD
Active member
Matt
When the groups open up, I'll rebarrel, but for now, she's still goin' strong as-is. What a great little caliber and easy on barrels to boot!
Edit: If anyone is in need of 20VT brass (and some other small calibers), Doug (TheCZKid) is the one to go to. Quality work, decent prices, good delivery. Highly recommended.
Matt if Leupold still does this, at least add the Verticle. Rick turned me on to these many years ago. I've done done 8 or 9+. They even added the M-1's to an old one inch fixed 12X test scope that's been on over 50 rifles. It's even more rock solid with the new turrets.
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