Hey .308 loaders, two questions. 1. Can .307 brass be resized for .308 win loading? and 2. what manufacturer(s) makes the most consistent brass and what should I expect to pay for it.(once fired type stuff)

Thanks, Barry

307W is a rimmed case the 308 is not.

Correct, except for their rim or groove, both cases are absolutely identical. The only difference between respectively chambered rifles lies in the bolt face opening (= larger for rim) and, notwithstanding their different operating pressure level (!!!), a .308 Win will fire in a .307 Win rifle (not the other way around because of bolt face/rim dimensions). To handload a .307 Win, you need .308 Win dies + a .30-30 shellholder.

quote:

A .308 Win will fire in a .307 Win rifle (not the other way around because of bolt face/rim dimensions)

In France to remain legal with a "military calibre" it was once popular to re-barrel 303 Pattern '14 rifles with a 308 barrel but keep the 303 bolt.

So giving a rifle in non-military 307 calibre! Which of course would also then chamber and fire 308!

A few years ago, Belgium had a ban on military calibers too. Then it was very common to open up the bolt face of a (forbidden) .308 Win to accept the rim of a .307 Win. The bbl. was then proofed and marked as a .307 Win, thus becoming legal to own. Of course, as .307 Win brass was less easy to obtain than .308, some people (illegally) shot .308 ammo in it.

So a bolt opened up to take a 307 rim will extract a 308 case?

As to once fired 308 I prefer Lake City (military)
Runs around $13-15/100 as picked up to $25/100 processed ready to load

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=150473209

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=149947048

Some rifles/extractors are more finicky than others. It also helps not to open up the boltface more than just enough to accept the .307 rim AND still eject .308 cases. Springy extractors seem to help too.

Thanks for the info guys, I guess I didn't realize there was another centerfire other than a 30-30 that had a rim. I guess I won't be grinding the rims off any 307's any time soon.
I'll be looking for the Lake City brass then, it sounds like a more consistent brass and a good price as well.

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Originally posted by BarryG:
I'll be looking for the Lake City brass then. It sounds like a more consistent brass and a good price as well.

It's also tough as can be. Use an excellent sizing lube and a strong press.

I have an RCBS press but I haven't been able to find the old style lube I was used to rolling the brass in on the foam pad. Is there another recommended lube? I use some 'ONE SHOT' spray from Hornady now.

Barry

quote:

Originally posted by Winchester 69:

quote:

Originally posted by BarryG:
I'll be looking for the Lake City brass then. It sounds like a more consistent brass and a good price as well.

It's also tough as can be. Use an excellent sizing lube and a strong press.

I use Hornady's Unique Case Lube. Comes in a small plastic tube and is like a wax rather than a liquid. I apply it with finger tips so no pad is needed. Easy to use and much easier to clean off than the old RCBS lube I used with a pad.

Imperial makes a similar product. Several other products out there that work well.

Try caster oil, Barry, it works like the old stuff. Go to the pharmacy, buy some caster oil. It'll lube you up. cheap works good best-o-luck

STP works good. None of the spray on crap works IMO.