6PPC case size question

[Carl696]

I have a 6ppc bench gun with a tight chamber (.262 neck). I have been reloading with the Wilson case neck sizer and inline seater. I have noticed that the cases do not fit within the min-max range of a Wilson case gauge.
When I FL resize they still don't fit the gauge properly. Will a shoulder bump die be the answer?

 

[Jim Watson]

Do they fit the chamber?

 

[243winxb]

I don't see a SAAMI standard. There are maybe 2 different 6PPC cartridges or more, depending on the reamer used to cut the chamber? http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?52180-6mm-PPC-and-6mm-PPC-USA

 

[Bart B.]

If you use a full length sizing die set to bump shoulders back a thousandth or two, that should work. You'll need a gauge to measure case headspace to ensure it's done right. RCBS Precision Mic or Hornady LNL are great. Set the die in the press just right to do that.

Full length sizing has typically produced better accuracy than neck only. I think most of the benchrest folks started FL sizing a few years ago.

 

[Walkalong]

All good advise.

When sizing brass for a tight match chamber, and especially a tight necked chamber, fitting the brass to the chamber is all that matters. Forget the Wilson gauge.

I used to shoot Benchrest and fire formed/neck turned/sized/bumped brass for a .262 neck chamber. I never used anything but the chamber to check brass/loaded round fit.

 

[Reloadron]

All good advise.

When sizing brass for a tight match chamber, and especially a tight necked chamber, fitting the brass to the chamber is all that matters. Forget the Wilson gauge.

I used to shoot Benchrest and fire formed/neck turned/sized/bumped brass for a .262 neck chamber. I never used anything but the chamber to check brass/loaded round fit.

When I cut my 6PPC chamber it was tight neck. Gentleman named James Messer helped me do the work during a NRA summer course. First thing we did was cut about 2" off the end of my barrel blank. Immediately after we cut the chamber we used that cut off to make a neck gauge. Not having a trick like that I have to agree with Walkalong and those who say use the chamber. I fire formed most of my brass from 220 Russian and I forget who made my neck turning rig. Still have everything but broke the bolt on that rifle so haven't touched it for years. Your chamber is the best gauge you have.

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

I knew James, he was a good guy. A lot of folks would use a short piece of old barrel with the shoulder/neck cut into it for a bump gauge. I have one and used it to measure how far I moved the shoulder..

broke the bolt on that rifle

Break the bolt handle off? Many are just braised on.

 

[Reloadron]

I knew James, he was a good guy. A lot of folks would use a short piece of old barrel with the shoulder/neck cut into it for a bump gauge. I have one and used it to measure how far I moved the shoulder..

Break the bolt handle off? Many are just braised on.

And it was James, never Jim. I took his class twice about 20 years ago and when I look up the courses he still teaches it. Montgomery Comunity College in Troy NC, summer NRA courses.

Yes, he taught me how to build a few rifles. On my 6 PPC we started with a Remington 700 originally in 223. Opened the bolt face and put a Sako extractor in the Remington bolt. I had standard 6 PPC reamers but James wanted me to go tight neck and he had the reamers. The rifle was great. Unfortunately I got impatient one day neck turning and had some oversize. The bolt was closing hard. After firing one I could not get the bolt up to open. Beat it finally with a rubber mallet and broke the bolt handle off. Using a bolt jig I tried to do the braze and things got ugly and went downhill. Rifle has been laying in the safe and I guess maybe 17 or 18 years since I touched it.

Anyway, James Messer was a great guy to learn from and we had a few discussions on how to make different gauges. Talk about a great machinist!

Ron

 

[Carl696]

bolt handle

Walkalong:
Just to bust on you, how long do you braise the bolt for 350 for 2 1/2 hrs?

 

[Walkalong]

I have no idea, but I broke a bolt handle off of a Hall bolt. After giving me that "you big dummy" look, he told me to bring it by one day and he would fix it. I drove to Clanton, had a nice visit, and then we went down to his work shop where he put it back on. Yes, stupidity, well, ignorance, was involved.