Fire forming .284 win

[Dave M.]

I’d like to fire from some .284 win brass to my new chamber without using up my good components.
First question, is there a good way to do this without actually putting bullets down the tube?
Second, if I have to put bullets down the tube, is there a way to do it using something cheaper than my prized stash of H4350 (ie. use a pistol powder like TAC or Bullseye)??

Thanks guys and gals for your advice. Love this forum. So many great people willing to help others out.

Dave

 

[10XSHOOTER]

I would use 10 grs of blue dot. fill with cream of wheat wax seal the mouth and shoot them.

 

[Preacher]

Burn the good stuff up and be done with it....
The brass will thank you....
Find some Vit 555 for your 284 when your prized H4350 is gone...

 

[butchlambert]

I use a healthy dose of bullseye and a wax or playdough plug instead of a bullet.

 

[Dave M.]

I don’t have a lot of pistol powder because I don’t reload for very many pistols. These are the powders I have to work with:
1.accurate #5
2. Ram shot Zip
3. Ram shot competition

Is it safe to fire these off without a bullet? Of those three powders, what would be the correct amount to use for fireforming 284 win? What about 6 dasher?

What is the advantage of powder / cream of wheat / and a wax seal, versus just using the powder and clay or play dough?

Dave

 

[nmkid]

I hope to try about 11 grs. of WIN 231 and some tissue paper to fireform some 243AI cases.

 

[Sandstorm]

Just load and go shoot a Match. I fireform in Club Competitions all the time.
You be surprised how well they shoot. I have been very competitive and you may even win one.
I have... with a 284 Shehane.
Good luck and shoot well my friend.

 

[acloco]

Often thought about wooden bullets for this use.

Swedes used wooden bullets for training (and a wood bullet shredder screwed onto the barrel).

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If its 284 brass going into a 284 chamber no way id even waste a primer to fireform it. FL size it to fit and go shoot.

 

[1shot]

If its 284 brass going into a 284 chamber no way id even waste a primer to fireform it. FL size it to fit and go shoot.

^^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^^
Don't over think this. In your scenario, the forming will be so small it will virtually make no difference in a club match. You will lose far more points to missed wind calls that FF your new brass.
If you must make something go bang to satisfy your OCD, skip the wax, play-dough and other stuff that is a PITA to clean and just us a 1/4 sheet of TP packed in with a punch on top of the fastest pistol/shotgun powder you have.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[Dave M.]

I’ve heard some people put a light coat of oil on the brass when fireforming. Wondering if/when this is necessary? Also, if I use just pistol powder with TP is there any possibility of bolt or extractor damage? I was told the extractor can see high forces when forming brass, any concerns?

Dave

 

[Liven The Dream]

I am a long ways from the Big Boy's in F/Open. I do hold my own at times.
.284 New Lapua 6.5X.284. Expanded to Straight .284 Full Prep Job.
Weight Sort ? Load Go to Match, Lucky Day Won a Regional at Rattle Snake Range WA.

If nothing else Club Match as pointed out ???
Just for a side Note: A-4350 is testing well for me at $34.00 a pound need more but gets there ?

 

[butchlambert]

I’ve heard some people put a light coat of oil on the brass when fireforming. Wondering if/when this is necessary? Also, if I use just pistol powder with TP is there any possibility of bolt or extractor damage? I was told the extractor can see high forces when forming brass, any concerns?

Dave

You sure won't see excessive force with TP or playdough!

 

[4Bowhunter]

Just load and go shoot a Match. I fireform in Club Competitions all the time.
You be surprised how well they shoot. I have been very competitive and you may even win one.
I have... with a 284 Shehane.
Good luck and shoot well my friend.

What he said

 

[Maxden]

Burn the good stuff up and be done with it....
The brass will thank you....
Find some Vit 555 for your 284 when your prized H4350 is gone...

I have finally been able to but a jug of 555. About to fire form some actual 284 Lapua brass..…did you start with a very low ….charge like 50.0 grains?

 

[Preacher]

I have finally been able to but a jug of 555. About to fire form some actual 284 Lapua brass..…did you start with a very low ….charge like 50.0 grains?

No need of a low charge, use close to max for the best 1st time results..

 

[ronemus]

You need to use a bullet into the lands to fireform properly. Without a bullet the firing pin drives the case forward and holds it there to some extent; you'll end up with the new shoulder shape, but the base to shoulder dimension will be short. You don't need to use "good" bullets and powder; just load a cheap FMJ into the lands over a mild powder charge of something in the right burn range; you won't use up much barrel life with the mild loads. Alternatively, use your over-the-hill take-off from your last rebarrel; as long as you can load into the lands it will do the job without using up your hummer.

 

[Maxden]

Exactly what I did to FF. Cheap 7mm bullets into the lands. A full box of 100. Then Annealed and shot a ladder test. 54.2 H4831sc best group measured .323 single digit SD. 5 shot groups. Gonna run a seating depth test with 3 shots each in successive .002 increments off the lands.

 

[TTE]

You don't have to use bullets to fir form brass.
You can use a false shoulder to keep the bolt face against the base of the cartridge.

Here is how I know

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/uncowd.4066324/