I understand it�s best to buy factory cases. But I have a lot of .30-06 cases ( who has not ), and I hardly reload for �06 at this time. They are mostly Federal, but also lots of surplus Yugo �06 FMJ cases.

If I turn down the conical expander on a case, it will be opened more than to .366. Now if I back out the die and do only partial resizing, I should have the so called "auxiliary shoulder" against which to headspace. The sized portion of the neck should hold the bullet. I don�t want to handle this cartridges much, only shoot starting loads to fireform the case.

O.K. if I buy factory cartridges I will save on bullets and powder. So I would like to shoot .358 lead bullets of ~ 155 grs weight and perhaps some Unique. Suppose they will rattle down the bore somehow ;-)

My saving would be that I don�t have to buy an expander for a larger caliber ( .375 or ??? ).

Will that shoulder be enough? Any dangers involved?

Thanks in advance H

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You have me a little confused, but to simplify your problem rather than address the question, try this:

load 8 grs. of bullseye, tamp a small 1" sq. of kleenex, fill with cornmeal, put in a wax plug and shoot the round in your gun...It will fireform, if not, then add another grain of bullseye until it does...Fireform all your cases in this manner, then load and shoot....Why waste a bullet that doesn't even fit the bore.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Okay, I read the other fireforming post. So I will use ~ 10 grs Bullseye or wich charge of Unique? ( Got Unique, no Bullseye yet).

I will skip the bullet - thanks, Ray - and use toilet paper. I would prefer not to use a filler, as I have read that sometimes this causes problems with bottlenecked cases. But will it fireform enough?

But my question was mainly: will the extremely small shoulder from the sizing button without necking down the whole neck be sufficient for headspacing?

I will hold the rifle upright for fireforming, but the "shoulder" still has to withstand the firing pin strike, without being pushed forward, developing a stretched case ????

Any suggestions?

Good shooting! H

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I've fireformed with and without the filler. To do it with the filler takes a lot less powder. The filler gives the powder something to push against and allows the pressure to build. As an example. It takes 28 grs of bullseye to form a 338 gibbs without filler but, only 12 with. The barrel heat and noise is substantially less. The only issue I've heard about with filler is the use of a fiber filler to hold a reduced powder charge in place. I've formed hundreds using cream of wheat and TP without a problem. Yes, something will need to hold your case in place. I normally use a 98 action and the extractor does it just fine. Your suggestion of a false shoulder will also work. I've never tried a M700 so I can't say if the extractor will hold the case.

When I fireform I use powder, a small amount of tissue to hold it in place, then cornmeal on top of that, then wax on top...there is no problem with tissue when used like this. the case will be fully formed this way, if not start adding Bullseye at one grain increments, and remember that stuff is explosive so don't over do bullseye.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

It�s a Win 70 CRF with Mauser type extractor, but as the cartridge has to slide under that extractor there has to be some slop. Therefore the idea with the false shoulder. First I want to save money ( and not buy an expander die ) and second, it works the brass less.

Buying all tools without hesitation is boring anyway. Some braining should not hurt ...

Have fun! H

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