New Brass Short Shoulders

[AICS308]

I have some new .308 brass that has short shoulders. This results in loading and firing one to two times to get the shoulders moved forward to chamber dimensions and creates a big waste in components.

I’ve read posts about wildcat brass being fire formed with pistol powder and no bullet. Is this process feasible for use with .308? If so what would the process steps be?

Any help really appreciated!

 

[rwj]

How did the rifle shoot during fire forming? I’ve experienced good accuracy when fire forming new cases.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I have some new .308 brass that has short shoulders. This results in loading and firing one to two times to get the shoulders moved forward to chamber dimensions and creates a big waste in components.

I’ve read posts about wildcat brass being fire formed with pistol powder and no bullet. Is this process feasible for use with .308? If so what would the process steps be?

Any help really appreciated!

Yes, using pistol powder with no bullet can be used and though I've never done it myself. I've read it described on many occasions where Alliant's powder Unique is used (something like 10 grs or so) and the rest of the case filled with Cream of Wheat and capped with tissue to keep it from spilling out. With this method, you don't really need to go to a range and can fire them in your back yard, pointing the gun at the ground. Of course, that can be disturbing to some neighbors and local law enforcement due to the sound of gun fire.

My preference is to use easy to acquire rifle powders that are cheap and that I'm just not likely to use other than for fire forming, so as to not use my good powder for this. As for projectiles, I'll use factory seconds/blemished bullets that are sold for very cheap (often can be found at Midway). Typically, I don't feel I have go this route when using high end brass for my .308. I don't find it a "waste in components" given I can always benefit from the practice and trigger time. . . and collect data for upcoming load development.

 

[AICS308]

On the second reload the rounds were mostly ok. At 600 yard practice I shot 20 rounds, X-10, 10-6, 9-4. The base to shoulder varied about .001 to .002 on these.

On the new brass the base to shoulder varied by .006 and accuracy was very bad. I have 200 pieces of this new brass and the first loading is really just wasted components.

 

[JMayo]

I've bought cheap bullets for fire forming & just used a reduced load in powder.

The cow is kinda messy but it works.
I used tight group pistols powder which is a dirty powder so i really made a mess to clean up that barrel.

 

[AICS308]

Straightshooter, this is name brand brass and shoots good after the second reload. I do have some old powder and probably some bullets I will not be using so thanks for suggestion.

 

[Fast14riot]

On the second reload the rounds were mostly ok. At 600 yard practice I shot 20 rounds, X-10, 10-6, 9-4. The base to shoulder varied about .001 to .002 on these.

On the new brass the base to shoulder varied by .006 and accuracy was very bad. I have 200 pieces of this new brass and the first loading is really just wasted components.

Its not really any different than shooting an ackley chamber. I have to put 2 firings on my brass before I consider it formed. But, I can do seating depth testing while fire forming. I also buy cheap or 2nds bullets. I picked up several hundred 130smk pulled bullets for something like 0.17/bullet a while back.

But do a search for "COW" fire forming, or Cream of Wheat loads and you should be able to come up with something. Alternatively, can shoot them in another rifle to get them a little better.

 

[AICS308]

I used tight group pistols powder which is a dirty powder so i really made a mess to clean up that barrel.

I remember those powders, yes they were nasty.