? on fireforming 220 russian using 22 cal bullets

[Bruce W]

Can a 22 cal bullet be seated in a 220 russian case using a wilson 6 ppc seating die. thought about doing this with Hornady 55 gr. BT bullets. I thought the BT bullet would seat easier without too much trouble. I have a barrel I'm going to dedicate to fireforming. Since we are looking for straight necks in the fireform I thought it not real important if the bullets were a little catiwompus in the case.
I welcome your comments. Thanks, Bruce

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have

 

[butchlambert]

I have, but quit wasting bullets many years ago. I use a stiff load of Bullseye and a wax plug.

 

[PatMiles]

I have, but quit wasting bullets many years ago. I use a stiff load of Bullseye and a wax plug.

How stiff?

 

[butchlambert]

How stiff?

Kinda up to you, from half a case to the bottom of the neck. Pat, with only the wax plug, you only get enough pressure to form the shoulder. I've done it high enough in the neck that I can barely put wax on it to seal it. Primers are still round. 1/2-3/4 in the case is good. You can fire them inside, but it sure gets smokey.
Advantages are a straighter case, a little longer, no donut, and you have very little to expand before turning.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Very good method butch uses. ^^^

 

[Bruce W]

Which wax ? I belive I remember something about dental wax in the past

 

[butchlambert]

Which wax ? I belive I remember something about dental wax in the past

Easiest for me is a roll of candle wax. My neighbor makes candles. He gave me a roll and I unwound it and it works great.

 

[SmokinJoe]

This is a great way to start your case prep with a straight case. I would recommend that you get some Air-Soft balls and see if they seat OK. I did 30BR from 6BR but had to get some .250 HDPE balls from McMaster Carr to make it work. BTW, I ended up having to get a special reamer made with an extra long neck, and use a dedicated FF barrel, to make this work to my satisfaction. With the standard chamber the brass would flow up past the end of the neck a little on the 30BR. Don't know if this would be a problem on the PPC.

 

[ricco1949]

I have used canning paraffin wax. Melt it into any jar lid about 1/4 inch thick. After it has cooled and set up, flip the lid over and turn the case neck into the wax for a nice tight fitting wax bullet.
Rick

 

[INShooter]

If you do decide to use a 22 bullet it helps to run a 22 expander into the case before seating. Lapua 220 Russian cases have tight necks in my experience.

 

[Bruce W]

it sounds like wax is a better way. thanks for help

 

[PatMiles]

Butch,
Thanks for the info. Now to find a candle making store.

it sounds like wax is a better way. thanks for help

If there is ANY downside to fireforming with wax instead of bullets I sure don't see it.

 

[Ggmac]

Butch,
Thanks for the info. Now to find a candle making store.


If there is ANY downside to fireforming with wax instead of bullets I sure don't see it.

Local food store , publix sells the canning wax real cheap

 

[ricco1949]

Butch,
Thanks for the info. Now to find a candle making store.


If there is ANY downside to fireforming with wax instead of bullets I sure don't see it.

The only issue I had was when fireforming 100 6-284's for 1000 BR about 15 yrs ago. Yes I know......way over-bore even by those days standards.

I was using an old fireform barrel and firing in rapid succession. After many rounds my results started to vary. I was puzzled and thought I had to increase the charge until I felt the barrel.... it was very hot. I concluded that the wax was melting or as least softening before I fired the round thus reducing the chamber pressure enough to vary the results.

I let the barrel cool down and resumed and all was well again.

 

[PatMiles]

The only issue I had was when fireforming 100 6-284's for 1000 BR about 15 yrs ago. Yes I know......way over-bore even by those days standards.

I was using an old fireform barrel and firing in rapid succession. After many rounds my results started to vary. I was puzzled and thought I had to increase the charge until I felt the barrel.... it was very hot. I concluded that the wax was melting or as least softening before I fired the round thus reducing the chamber pressure enough to vary the results.

I let the barrel cool down and resumed and all was well again.

Good to know.

 

[PatMiles]

Kinda up to you, from half a case to the bottom of the neck. Pat, with only the wax plug, you only get enough pressure to form the shoulder. I've done it high enough in the neck that I can barely put wax on it to seal it. Primers are still round. 1/2-3/4 in the case is good. You can fire them inside, but it sure gets smokey.
Advantages are a straighter case, a little longer, no donut, and you have very little to expand before turning.

Butch,
Filled one of my 220 Russian cases to the bottom of the neck with VV N-310, all I had in the cabinet that was in the realm of Bullseye. Went into the backyard and lit it off. I'm sure I got the attention of a few neighbors but if they can't take a joke... The case came out fireformed nicely. I'll take the other 99 out to the range over a couple of days and then turn the necks ala Jackie Schmidt on the lathe.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[PatMiles]

Just couldn't hep it, lit one off last night in the dark backyard, impressive fireball!

 

[PatMiles]

Well, the wax plug proved to be a PIA, so at Butch's suggestion I used modeling clay as a plug. Easy peasy!! I'll be running a dry patch through the barrel after each 10 round firing.
At last, an easy, inexpensive way to fireform.
Thanks Butch!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Well, the wax plug proved to be a PIA, so at Butch's suggestion I used modeling clay as a plug. Easy peasy!! I'll be running a dry patch through the barrel after each 10 round firing.
At last, an easy, inexpensive way to fireform.
Thanks Butch!

I have used toilet paper. If it keeps the powder from falling out it works good