TIP: Neck-Turning TIP – Use the Optimal Cutter Angle to Get the Best Results

September 21, 2022. Neck-turning cases: It’s a good idea for neck-turning cases to slightly extend the cut below the neck-shoulder junction. This prevents neck tension from becoming more uniform after repeated firings. Craig, an Irish Forum member, was having trouble turning brass for his 20 tactical cases. He was correct in continuing the cut slightly beyond the neck-shoulder junction. However, he was concerned about the brass being removed too far down his shoulder. This is a great idea, but I have trouble getting my neck-turning device to touch the neck/shoulder junction. It cuts almost the entire shoulder or it doesn’t touch the shoulder, which looks very messy. It doesn’t touch the neck no matter how much I adjust the mandrel. It may be related to the bevel on my neck-turning device …” Looking at Craig’s photos, we would agree that he didn’t need to cut as far into the shoulder. This situation is easy to fix. Craig uses a neck-turning device with a shallow cutter angle. This angle of 20 degrees is designed to work with any shoulder angle. Unfortunately, this will cause brass to be removed by the shallow angled-cutter tip. The cut should extend about 1/32 inch beyond the neck-shoulder junction. This will eliminate any brass buildup at the neck’s base that can lead to doughnuts. The K&M neck-turning tools cutter (above) has an easier bevel than a 30? shoulder. A 40? tip available. PMA Tool and 21st Century Shooting offer carbide cutters with a variety bevel angles to match your case shoulder angle*. WalkerTexasRanger reports that he used a 40-degree cutter to solve the same problem. He was much happier with the results. Sinclair Int’l sells the 40-degree heads for $15. CBonner, Forum Member: “I had the exact same problem with my 7WSM… The solution was the 40-degree cutter. Here is Sinclair’s 40. Cutter for the NT-series neck-turning instruments. This 40-inch cutter is item NT3140. The cutter is available for $14.99 Sinclair also offers the traditional 30 for the same price. This will push the shoulder back.020-.025. This will push your shoulder back.020-.025. Next, you will need to lower your neck down to the junction of your neck and shoulder. The cases can be fireformed by placing the bullets into the lands. This will push the shoulder forward, and the extra neck length that you gained by having the shoulder set back will blend perfectly into the shoulder. This results in a perfectly fitting chamber and zero donuts. “* 21st Century offers carbide cutters in the following sizes: 15, 17, 20, 21.5, 23, 25, 28, 30, 35 and 40 degrees. PMA Tool offers carbide cutters in the following sizes: 20, 23, 30, 40, and other angles upon special order.
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