Reusing Brass

[MVW]

With some encouragement from a forum member, I just ordered a Criterion barrel for my Savage 308. I have one box of Lapua brass that I have fire twice in the old barrel. My question is whether I can FL size those cases and use them in a new barrel? I wonder in particular about resizing the web.

It is not a big deal, to replace it, but I would be interested in what folks think about the idea in terms of accuracy reloading.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[MQ1]

Alot will depend on the chamber, but I would think you stand a good chance at it working just fine. You may need to buy/borrow a small base die, but you should try a few first to see if that is even necessary.

MQ1

 

[glo]

I would think if your new barrel is a tight SAAMI or Match chamber you can just FL your brass. I would anneal the necks first and then FL. After that reload and fire form. You should be good for another 20 or 30 reloads if you anneal, neck size and don't push the pressure. I see no loss in performance or accuracy either.

 

[Catfish]

No problem at all. If you FL size correctly they should chamber in any rifle in that cal., unless it`s a tight neck chamber.

 

[chuckbuster243]

I have a 308 Criterion. I have the reamer print that they use on their 308 barrels as well. Its a pt&g standard saami chamber. Unless your prior barrels chamber was huge you will have no problem getting it to fit after f/l sizing. I think you will be amazed how well it shoots... Lapua brass cci primers and varget powder its a winning combo. With that combo and 175VLDs mine shoots 3/8 or better ctc 5 shot groups at 200 yards around an inch at 500. Matt

 

[Justin1098]

I went to a shilen prefit on my savage 6br. Before I installed the new barrel I checked to see the fit of the resized brass I had and it fit half way. I had to get a small base die. It sized the area just foward of the web .001 smaller. They fit prefect now.

 

[MVW]

Chuckbuster. I just ordered a Criterion barrel - my factory barrel has a number of issues. I am glad that you have had good luck with it.

As for the brass, I am now convinced that it will chamber, but I have been reading "Handloading for Competition" buy Glen Zediker. It is a nice summary of much of what I have learned here on the forum. Given the prep and fireforming of brass for 1,000 yard use, I'll probably use the old brass to break in the barrel and other non-critical uses.

Mike

 

[chuckbuster243]

That sounds like a good idea... Never pass another opportunity to get more brass... LOL

 

[CPorter]

If you take care to anneal before the necks split, polish your chamber so the brass doesn't stretch and don't use over pressure loads the brass should last a really long time. I have brass from 1980 that I still use. I lost maybe 10% because I didn't anneal soon enough and split the necks.

 

[fdshuster]

Mike: With only 2 firings on the brass, in the "old" chamber there is a good chance they will fit with just a normal sizing. More firings, like 6 or 7 (or more) would make it more of a question.

Try them with the new chamber before loading & if the bolt won't close, push the shoulder back (on one case) a few thousandths, if it still will not close, then you may have to go to a small base die.

Many times it's the diameter at the case head, right in front of the extractor groove that is the cause, and a difference of as little as .001" can stop the case from chambering/ the bolt handle closing normally.

I've been able to salvage a lot of brass when going from an old to a new chamber by using a small base body die. My 6BR die reduces the case head diameter from .471" to .466". So impressed with the results, just bought one for the 6ppc.

 

[MVW]

It may not be worth the purchase of a small base die for 100 pieces of brass, but I am curious who makes a small base die for the 308? I assume a Redding body die or S-Type die won't likely do the trick.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[madmixerman]

Redding makes them & Sinclair sells them.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/reloading-dies/rifle-dies/redding-small-base-body-dies-prod35349.aspx?avs|Cartridge_1=CTT_308 Winchester

 

[fdshuster]

Mike: They are also nice to have available when/if you start to get the "click" at the top of your bolt lift. Usually a sign that the case head diameter has blown out, and cannot be sized down with a regular FL sizing die.

One pass thru the small base die & the "click" is gone. I consider them a part of a set of dies for my most heavily used cartridges.

 

[MVW]

Thanks! I know what you are speaking of. Mike