Fireforming or die forming?

[chet]

another set of dumb question from chet :grin:
this one is mostly just to spark conversation 8)

I have already ordered 325wsm brass, and I'm a firm believer in having the correct headstamp if at all possible (wildats only). So don't pound me over the head too hard :mrgreen: I've just been tryin to learn about this as I've never done it.

#1 Lets say I wanted to make 325wsm brass out of a smaller bore wsm....... which one would make the best candidate? 300, 7mm, or 270? I'm assuming 300, just because it's closer in size and it can probably be found cheaper than the others.

#2 a) Would it even be feasible to use 270wsm?
b) how much of a neck diameter change is too much?

#3 Lets say I had a box of factory 300wsm.... pull the bullets and run the brass through a 325 die? or shoot 'em as they are to "fire-form"?

#4 When fire-forming... does the bullet tumble down the bore and cause any damage? I think the 308cal bullet would be guided fairly well by the lands in the 325 bore...... but If i were to fire a 270wsm in the gun, the bullet would definetly bounce around a bit. right?

okay........ give me your opinions!

 

[chet]

and just for reference:

325wsm bullet diameter = .313"
300 " " = .308"
7mm " " = .284"
270 " " = .277"


so the 300 bullet is only .005" smaller, I think it would ride the bore quite well. I think it would even build some pressure (recoil and velocity) and I might even be able to hit a paper plate with it :shock:

the 7mm is .029" smaller and would definnetly not come out the muzzle with any usefulness whatsoever. :roll:

 

[DrMike]

chet,

I note a type in the list of calibres; the 325 WSM is 0.323 inches.

The primary challenge you would face would be expanding the neck. The less expansion, the easier the task. Ergo, the 300 WSM would neck up easier than the other cases. Moreover, the 7mm WSM has the should set forward (just as the 280 Remington has the shoulder set forward) to preclude accidentally chambering a round in a 270 WSM rifle. A 300 WSM fired in a 325 WSM rifle would fire. Velocity would be degraded because the calibre is 0.015 inches less, allowing for escape of gases decreasing pressure. Obviously, accuracy would be similarly degraded, not only because there would be at best minimal engagement of the gilding metal with the lands, but also because of escape of gases at the muzzle which would tend to cause yaw. These effects would be exaggerated with a 270 WSM. You would not be able to chamber a 7mm WSM is the chamber on the 325 WSM was cut properly. Since brass is readily available for the 325 WSM, it really doesn't make much sense to neck up other brass.

 

[jmad_81]

I would not shoot the 300 WSM loads in your 325 WSM to try to fireform brass! I would just get the 325 WSM brass.

 

[chet]

note a type in the list of calibres; the 325 WSM is 0.323 inches.

you're right!!! I must have been thinking of my old 8x57.....

I did not know of the 7mm's shoulder being set forward, obviously for good reason!

I would not shoot the 300 WSM loads in your 325 WSM to try to fireform brass! I would just get the 325 WSM brass.

as I stated before, ME TOO!

just trying to create discussion and learn, bud.

 

[jmad_81]

Ok Just wanting to make sure, bad things can happen when mixing rounds and I would hate to see that happen to anybody.

 

[DrMike]

I must have been thinking of my old 8x57.....

Calibre of the 8 X 57 JS is 0.323 inches, unless it is the older 8 X 57 I, which has a calibre designation of 0.318 inches. It would be somewhat unusual if you had an 8 X 57 I rifle.