Fireforming 6.5 x 55 brass to .284

[Windborne]

Have a bunch of lightly used Lapua 6.5 x 55 brass, and am considering fireforming out to .284 winchester.. The 6.5 x 55 is slightly smaller, .040 at the shoulder, and .020 smaller at the base, but all other dimensions are similiar.
My concern is the base size. What is your experience or thoughts of fireforming this brass out to .284 dimensions.

 

[LHSmith]

No way! You'll shoot your eye out.....SERIOUSLY

 

[Windborne]

Are your concerns because of the base size. That was my concern, as the rest of the case should adjust.

 

[Preacher]

If you decide to do that, please be sure your life insurance is paid in full for the survivors !!!!!!!!
You'll be moving a lot of brass around, about .025 at the base..
You will end up with awful thin brass in places you don't want thin brass...

 

[jonbearman]

Doesnt powder valley have 6.5x284 lapua that you could neck up or hornady brass at PV as well.You are out of your mind to even think about a conversion so dangerous.Please I urge you not to do this. Put up a want to buy ad for straight .284 brass,used and someone will sell or give you some.

 

[Windborne]

This is why I posted the question. I would like opinions before I try it.
There is nothing new about fireforming to a larger size. I have not been able to find any info on base expansion limits. Every base expands every time it is shot, and every chamber is a different size.
I guess the sensable thing to do is buy new lapua 6.5 x .284 brass and neck up, and just sell the 6.5 x 55 brass.

 

[Windborne]

Note, i did check the SAAMI guide and the only 2 cartridges on the
DO NOT USE list for .284 win. is the 7x57 Mauser and 300 Savage.

 

[expiper]

windy,,,,tell us more about this "do not use list"...Im curious what can be done,,,I have been fire forming for a long time ,,,but this ole' dog is always ready for a new "trik"..??...Roger

 

[Windborne]

Google SAAMI. There is a list of all cartridge sizes, and corresponding cartridge sizes that are UNSAFE to be used in that chamber size.

 

[Windborne]

... UNSAFE ARMS AND AMMUNITION COMBINATIONS...

 

[shortgrass]

Note, i did check the SAAMI guide and the only 2 cartridges on the
DO NOT USE list for .284 win. is the 7x57 Mauser and 300 Savage.

I guess that means you could fire .223 without problems. I don't think so! Handloaders might neck cartridge cases up or down, but never do we change the head size. Hope you got Obama Care!

 

[M-61]

http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/SAAMI_ITEM_211-Unsafe_Arms_and_Ammunition_Combinations.pdf

That would be a place to start looking....however is it complete?

 

[Catfur]

Note, i did check the SAAMI guide and the only 2 cartridges on the
DO NOT USE list for .284 win. is the 7x57 Mauser and 300 Savage.

I guess that means you could fire .223 without problems. I don't think so! Handloaders might neck cartridge cases up or down, but never do we change the head size. Hope you got Obama Care!

More likely it is a list of rounds that will chamber in that particular chambering, but will obturate and cause a back blast.

 

[Windborne]

Thanks for everyones opinions here. I am going to forget the idea of fireforming the 6.5 x 55 and buy some Lapua 6.5 x .284 brass.

Just as a sidenote, take a look at Milsurps experiment with oversize chambers. It may shake some conventional wisdom.