Forster was among the first companies to produce neck reaming tools, and their popularity continues to grow alongside the increasing use of bushing dies.
Why? Because brass is malleable—it flows where there is an opening. Even though bushing dies are designed to minimize clearance, a small gap (typically at the neck-shoulder junction) still allows brass to build up during resizing. That’s where Forster’s neck reamers come in.
Forster offers two variations of neck reamers (plus a custom option):
- Standard Neck Reamer: Designed to be used before resizing, this reamer is slightly larger than bullet diameter (e.g., a .308 neck reamer is .311” in diameter). It effectively cleans up any brass buildup at the neck-shoulder junction.
- Wildcat Neck Reamers: Made approximately .004” under bullet diameter, this reamer is perfect for wildcatting or significantly necking cases down. It helps remove excess wall thickness without compromising neck tension. We often receive questions about why we chose .004” under bullet diameter instead of the industry-standard .002” tension. The reasoning is simple: we take a conservative approach to ensure you retain sufficient neck tension after reaming. Just because a reamer is designed to be .004” under bullet diameter, doesn’t mean that your case will be left with a hole that is .004” smaller than bullet diameter. Even minor factors, like .0005” runout in the case or cutting process, can lead to a slightly larger hole than expected.
- Custom Neck Reamers: Need a specific size? Forster offers custom neck reamers to fit your exact requirements. Simply select “custom” when ordering.
Standard Neck Reamers
Wildcat Neck Reamers
Should You Inside Neck Ream or Outside Neck Turn?
One common question is whether to outside neck turn (see our previous article) or inside neck ream. Keep in mind that a reamer follows the existing hole in the case—it won’t necessarily create a more uniform neck thickness. If you need to remove a buildup or thin out already uniform case necks, reaming is a great solution.
Here’s a simple way to determine if neck reaming is right for you: See if a bullet will slide cleanly into your case necks on your fired case. If it stops at the neck-shoulder junction, there’s a good chance neck reaming will be beneficial.
Compatibility
Our neck reamers are designed to work with Forster case trimmers, including the Original, Power, and Classic models. The reamer replaces the neck pilot on the cutter shaft. If you use another brand of case trimmer that accepts .186” shank pilots, it’s possible our reamer may work on that trimmer as well.
Our commitment to precision makes Forster neck reamers an essential tool for reloaders looking to maintain consistent and high-quality brass. Have questions or need help choosing the right reamer? Let us know—we’re happy to assist!