Reamer makers

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chino69

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I've been told that Hugh Henricksen's reamers are second to none. The other guys are good but Hugh's are at the top. I'm curious if there are other opinions to support this. I realize there are well founded biases in this industry. The reason I ask is I don't know the answer. I've had one reamer made by Dave Manson and it has suited me well with no problems, but my accuracy levels are live varmint and informal bench. Shooting as accurately as possible within a certain defined budget is my goal. Any experience and info. would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to start a pissing contest, just give opinions and experience, please.
Thank you,
Chino69
 
I used Clymer reamers for a few years but switched over to higher quality as from Manson, Francis, Kiff and JGS. All are superb reamers. My last few were from Dave Kiff (Pacific Tool).
 
Almost all my reamers come from Dave Manson. I get what I order and we go way back to the days when he ran Clymer and we developed a good relationship then. All are good. I just like doing business with someone I call a friend.

Dave
 
I have used one of Hugh's reamers in 6 PPC for about 5 years. The chambers cut with that reamer are about as good as it gets. Surface finish is superb and using my pressure flush system, all the flutes appear to be cutting as opposed to most reamers where just a couple of flutes do most of the work. The chambers cut with that reamer have been competitive in accuracy also. I have a 22 PPC reamer by another company and the surface finish does not compare to my 6 PPC reamer. I don't remember the exact waiting time for one of his reamers, but don't wait for the customer to come through the door to order your reamer.
 
I have only eleven different reamers at this point - have been doing barreling work for just three years, and have only bought reamers for the cartridges customers & friends have asked for. They include - 223, 22-250AI, 6BR, 6Dasher, 6-47Lapua, 6XC, 243W., 250AI, 6.5x55, 284W., & 308W. All but the 6.5x55 are from Dave Kiff at PTG; the 6.5 is from JGS. They all cut excellent chambers with a fine finish if I do my part.
 
chino69 said:
I've been told that Hugh Henricksen's reamers are second to none... just give opinions and experience, please.
Thank you,
Chino69
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Most of my reamers are made by Hugh Henriksen. They are of excellent quality and I would have no reservations in recommending them. I also have JGS and PTG reamers which are very good reamers too.

Reamers are like other accuracy-oriented items that we use. When you get into the top tier of suppliers, the level of quality gets to the point where there is little to separate them. Sometimers the differences between one supplier to the next are smaller than the differences between individual specimens from the same supplier.

If I had to rank them, I'd say Henriksen, PTG, and JGS. I have only one Clymer reamer that is never used because it's a .280 Remington - solid pilot. Anyone want to buy it?

I have one Elliott .308 Winchester, four-flute, roughing reamer. That one is the "handiest" reamer that I own. If anything ever happened to it, I'd ask Hugh to make me another one just like it.

Don't own any other brands so I can't speak to them.

FWIW
 
When I first started buying reamers I bought them from Hugh Henriksen. They are indeed the finest reamers I have. Hugh was out of the reamer making business for a while and I bought reamers from JGS and from PTG. Dimensionally, I think the reamers from JGS and PTG are just as good but Hugh's look like jewelry! I've never had to hone a Henriksen reamer to get it to cut smooth. I like them.
Are the other reamers sub-standard? No they are not. Nonetheless, Henriksen's seem to just be nicer. Regards, Bill.
 
The appearance is not important

It's the performance what I care about. I want a reamer that has the correct size, cuts evenly on all flutes and the finnish surface is smooth. Personally whoever is the maker or how the reamer looks like that's not important.

Shoot well
Peter
 
things that go bump in the night

reamers some cut hot dog chips on one or two flutes, some cut on more, some cut almost all flutes, if flute is narrow meaning flute thickness it could chatter, if the depth of flute is wrong chips will not flow,excessive primary clearance produces chatter,a cutter has a face,cutting edge,primary clearance, secondary clearance,tangent to periphery,if one or both clearance angles are wrong what we would also call the heel. Flute would cut to much causing chatter or tool to break. If clearance angles are to wide finish could be bad do to heel rubbing. But I'm still looking for the farm, and have never made a reamer, but have seen what one made wrong will do. I enjoy all makers of reamers that will help you to do better jobs, I can't thank them enough for the thousandssss of dollars of time they have given on the phone to help a pig farmer understand why things go bump in the night.
 
We are blessed with some great reamer makers

As always some may give better service but in the big picture we have a great resource of reamer makers here in America. We also have a great resource of great barrel makers.

We as shooters should count our blessings every day.

Nat Lambeth
 
Henricksen reamers

Bill Leeper said:
When I first started buying reamers I bought them from Hugh Henriksen. They are indeed the finest reamers I have. Hugh was out of the reamer making business for a while and I bought reamers from JGS and from PTG. Dimensionally, I think the reamers from JGS and PTG are just as good but Hugh's look like jewelry! I've never had to hone a Henriksen reamer to get it to cut smooth. I like them.
Are the other reamers sub-standard? No they are not. Nonetheless, Henriksen's seem to just be nicer. Regards, Bill.
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That seems to be the general concensus. All of the others are of an excellent high caliber and perform well; Henriksen just happens to be favored by some. I happen to have a Manson that has served me very well with no complaints. I'm admittedly an amateur and when talking to an experienced gunsmith who has more knowledge than I can ever hope to gain I, at least, like to have some background. It also helps me to determine how deep I want to get into this game in both components and price. Research is part of what I do professionally. As mentioned, I was looking for a common thread among experienced smiths and found what I was looking for. Please continue with the opinions and experience and I thank all who have responded.
Chino69
 
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Some time back I ordered a special purpose reamer from Clymer for which I specified dimensions and tolerance that were closer than what was offered as standard fare. After some discussion to make sure we were on the same page, I was told the reamer would cost more because I was specifying a tolerance that would be difficult to hold. I wasn't concerned with the cost and fully understood that asking for the moon would incur a higher fee. I got my reamer, and with proper use, it makes holes within the limits I can measure. It's dead on the money. Used incorrectly, I'm sure it will make the wrong size hole.

I couldn't be happier with the results from it and was never charged the additional charge. Maybe they price them expecting to scrap a few and had this one come out on the first try. I don't know.

If I used chamber reamers for doing barrel work, I'd use the solid pilot versions over the floating ones hands down. I've seen the floating pilot versions and I think they suck. jmho.
 
floating pilots

4Mesh said:
If I used chamber reamers for doing barrel work, I'd use the solid pilot versions over the floating ones hands down. I've seen the floating pilot versions and I think they suck. jmho.
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4Mesh,
What problems have you had with the floating pilot?
Chino69
 
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