The snow is finally melting, the sun has finally quit playing hide and seek, and you have some new brass to play with. Now it’s time to ask the question: What is neck turning brass, and why does it matter?

Unfortunately, when brass gets produced, it is difficult for the manufacturers to get consistent metal thickness around the necks. Some companies are better than others. Un-uniform metal can create problems.

When you size your necks down from the outside so that you can seat your bullets, if the brass thickness is not uniform, those high and low spots will be squeezed to the inside of your case and may grip your projectile more on one side than the other.

When your bullet exits the case when fired, it can drag, affecting your velocity. That is bad for accuracy, especially the further away your target is located.

What is neck turning brass?

Neck turning brass is a mechanical operation that cuts metal off the neck to make it a uniform thickness.

Why does it matter?

You will not have high or low spots transferred to the inside of your case, as the bullet will have the same tension all the way around.

Now, the subject gets tricky. The next reason people are neck turning brass is to achieve clearance.

What does that mean?

High-end shooters want leeway from the outside of the neck to the chamber’s inside wall, which can have two benefits.

First, the bullet will release the same every time you pull the trigger. Second, if you have enough clearance, the round will exit the case before the neck portion slams into the chamber’s wall. If one side makes contact before the other, it may produce drag and mess up your velocity again.

How can you solve these problems?

Neck turn your brass cases

How?

First, you need an excellent tool to measure your thickness. If you don’t know what you have, you don’t know where to go. You might not even have a problem to begin with.

Second, you purchase a neck-turning tool. There are several products available to achieve the results. Remember, when it comes to reloading tools, cheap is not better. I have personally achieved excellent measured results from using my 21st Century neck turning lath. It all boils down to what your time is worth.

Personally, this is my least favorite process in reloading. I guess I will call it a necessary evil.

Whether you decide to do this or not is entirely up to you. Keep in mind: one operation can cure two issues. So, it’s a two-for-one deal. Caution: this has to be done correctly, or you could make a small problem an absolute disaster.

update:

There is a new technology on the horizon starting to show its face. It is called a no-turn neck chamber. This is a rifle chamber with a lot of real estate on the neck wall. This takes care of two problems, but the third is questionable.

In theory, you do not have to turn your case neck because the bullet will be out of the case long before they connect with the chamber wall. Also, you will have plenty of clearance.

The bad news is that it doesn’t address the high and low spots holding your projectile. I don’t have any experience with this at the time. That said, some of my shooting mentors do, and they swear by it.

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Disclaimer: Reloading/handloading can be hazardous to your health like many things in life. You take full responsibility when performing these procedures. 5 Gun Nation is not liable for your decisions. Don’t be an idiot, and if you are, it is not our problem.