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.404 Jefferey and .416 Dakota Cases!!
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Does anyone know whether it is possible to form .404 Jefferey cases from any other case e.g. 375, 416 Rigby etc...???
Secondly I would like to know whether it is possible to form .416 Dakota Cases from any other cases than 404 Jefferey??
I need help please, original .404 Jefferey and .416 Dakota cases are too expensive!!
 
Posts: 19 | Registered: 24 February 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Lourens:
I need help please, original .404 Jefferey and .416 Dakota cases are too expensive!!


Will .375 ultra mags get you there? The rim is about .011" smaller and the head diameter just a hair bigger.roger


Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
 
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003Reply With Quote
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In spite of receiving considerable flak and disbelief on the Big Bore forum on this subject, I will state that I DO, SUCCESSFULLY, form .404 Jeffery cases from .375 Ultra Mag brass.

The resultant cases, about 200 of them to date, work perfectly in my Cogswell & Harrison .404 rifle, which is based on a standard Mauser 98 action, complete with the thumb-slot etc. The very minor variation in rim diameter from .404 specs is irrelevant in my rifle.

To produce these cases, I first form the .375 UMs in the standard RCBS sizing die. Lubing the cases lightly, I form them arbitrarily about "half way" to the final sizing dimension, then re-lube lightly and size them to where they will just barely chamber in the rifle with some "feel" on the bolt handle.

At this point, I prime them, charge with about 20 grains of #2400 powder, and then fill the cases almost to the mouth with cornmeal. A small bit of tissue is placed in the neck to hold the whole shebang from spilling, and cases are transported to the firing site mouth-up in a loading block. NO COMPRESSION of any kind is applied.

When actually firing these rounds, I find that pointing the rifle straight up in the air gives better forming of the mouth and neck areas. Firing horizontally gave me some less-desireable results. Use your muffs...they're noisy.

After fireforming, a light trim and chamfer finishes the job. Note that the .338 UM is SHORTER than than the .375, and although the .338s will form alright, they are still shorter than the .375-based cases.

Ten or twelve bucks per twenty whips the daylights out of $2.00 per case!


Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)
 
Posts: 437 | Location: nevada | Registered: 01 March 2003Reply With Quote
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I forgot to mention that when sizing the .375 UM cases, the decapping stem should be removed from the sizing die. Sorry.


Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)
 
Posts: 437 | Location: nevada | Registered: 01 March 2003Reply With Quote
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Ken Howell's book on cartridges covers the how to and where for of expanding cartridges by firing with fillers (which he recommends strongly "going up").

The book is available on the Precision Shooting website now, but the supply is limited.

jim

Designing and Forming CUSTOM CARTRIDGES
for Rifles & Handguns
By: Ken Howell
Price: $59.95 (Hardcover)
The classic work in its field, out of print for the last few years, and virtually unobtainable on the used book market, now returns in an exact reprint of the original. Some 600 pages, full size (8 1/2" x 11"), hard covers. Dozen of cartridge drawings never published anywhere before-dozens you've never heard of (guaranteed!). Precisely drawn to the dimensions specified by men who designed them, the factories that made them, and the authorities that set the standards. All drawn to the same format and scale (1.5x)-for most, how to form them from brass. Some 450 pages of them, two to a page. Plus other practical information.


if you're too busy to hunt,you're too busy.
 
Posts: 4166 | Location: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: 14 November 2001Reply With Quote
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I form 330 & 300 Dakota cases from RUM brass. It's strait forward and only requires a strong press to reform the cases for first firing. I also neck ream to thin necks after reforming and all is good. If you shoot alot and eat up cases it's worth the trouble otherwise buy the Dakota brass and be done with it, it's good brass, I think Norma is making it.
bigbull
 
Posts: 406 | Location: CANADA | Registered: 06 April 2004Reply With Quote
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