Gunsmithing Need advice on ne build.

[SmokeRolls]

Planning to convert a Rem 700 VS in 22-250 (Low round count) to a 308. I was thinking Kreiger or Rock barrel. I don't know anything about Palma chamber or ? Can the Palma chamber still use a factory sized rounds? Is it just tighter to better secure the cartridge?... I need some advice on direction to go or atleast plan for.....I want this to be a tack driver for a 308. I don't mind going to a match chamber, match brass like Norma or Lapua and even match dies... I'm going to squeeze the best accuracy out of this rifle and want it to be as reliable as one would want. I have always bought rifles complete and never designed and built a rifle so I'm new in this area...
.........Your assistance would be appreciated....SmokeRolls

 

[pj68]

Re: Need advice on ne build.

Smokey,
I know little about barrels but i will try. For a 308 barrel i would look at a .298 bore"aka tight bore". The palma chamber i think is cut for a 155 grain bullet. May have to use a different reamer for the different bullets out there.

SOTA

 

[STR]

Re: Need advice on ne build.

On barrels you won't go wrong with Bartlien or Krieger. As for your reamer, a palma reamer from JGS will do a great job, and you can use factory ammo. If you have any questions about it you can call JGS and ask to speak with Cary. He's a super nice guy, and takes the time to speak with customers. Good luck on your project.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Need advice on ne build.

Hey Smoke,

Here is some of what I've learned so far:
PS. Dave Kiff knows all the reamers. If you know what bullets you want to shoot, he'll tell you what to use.

The Palma shooters are experimenting to eek out any tini tiny advantage. Translation: most of the standard chambers are darned accurate. The specialized Palma chambers focus on optimizing (the throat mostly) for a specific bullet. For example, I just chose the "Mid-Thompkins" special for my Palma barrel: it is optimized for the 155. So, if you want to really get down and dirty, you will be picking a particular reamer for one specific bullet. But, if you don't do that, a more generous reamer dimension (like the Bisley) will still be exceedingly accurate and give you more bullet-choice flexibility.

My gunsmith chambers rifles for the Phoenix PD and they use a Bisley Match reamer. This seems very good for 155-175 grain bullets. A Bisley reamer has a .342 neck by default. This neck size will take any brass. My Lapua brass is .01475 - .0155 unturned and the bisley chambers works great. Most gunsmiths have a Bisley Match 308 reamer and this is as close as you will get to a "standard" match reamer.

Regarding how tight to make the neck, this seems to be a subject where opinions are evolving. Most knowledgeable competitors I talk to these days say .002-.006 total difference between the neck and chamber does not adversely affect accuracy. It was interesting that my world-record setting benchrest gunsmith (Gary O'Cock) said that. He said that benchrest thoughts about tight chambers and accuracy are evolving and most agree super tight chambers are NOT necessary. However, tight chambers do make the brass last much longer and given how much prep work those guys put into brass, that explains why they prefer fairly tight chambers.

So, for my palma rifle I know I will use 155gr bullets only and chose a Mid-Thompkins reamer available from Dave Kiff. Note that this reamer has a .343 neck. So, apparently, all the top shooters using this reamer have no problem with a generous neck dimension.

My hunting rifles use a 308 Bisley reamer with a .342 neck...actually tighter than other match chamber...go figure.

Hope that helps,
Scott

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Need advice on ne build.

There are several Palma Reamers but the two I use are the Bisley and 1995 Palma. The 1995 Palma has .060" free bore and the Bisley has .080". I use the 1995 Palma Reamer 99% of the time and have only had one factory round tight in the chamber. Either will work with FGMM or reloads using Lapua or Win Brass. Krieger is my #1 choice followed by Bartlien for cut rifled barrels.

Dave Kiff at PTG has several Reamer prints on file and is always eager to talk to his clients. He may even have a reamer on the shelf.

 

[SmokeRolls]

Re: Need advice on ne build.

Thanks bunches. You answered my questions in perfect detail. I appreciate that.....SmokeRolls