I'm building a rifle that will have a case very similar to the 400 Whelen with shoulder forward and .46 shoulder. After fireforming and having dies made I'm going to simply use basic brass.

Two options I've found are 06 Basic at z-hat and the Howell basic from AHR. Anyone have any experience with either or better yet both? I've used 340Howell and found it thick and able to handle pressure.

Those may be the same creature.

I use the Howell (from Huntington's) to make 9.3x66 Sako brass. It works great. Tough stuff.

If you can get some from Z-Hat that has no lettering on the case head, you can get a bunting made, and have it say 400 Whelen.

Good luck with getting an adequate shoulder.

LD

quote:

I use the Howell (from Huntington's) to make 9.3x66 Sako brass. It works great. Tough stuff.

I agree it is tough. Unless something has changed Z-hat and AHR are getting brass from different manufacturers. Last time I talked to Z-hat I thought they said their cylinder brass had a 35 Whelen stamp. I "think" the Howell says basic.

Not worried about the shoulder I built almost the same rifle several years ago in .416 and it worked fine. In 411 the neck will be .439 shoulder .46 at 40 deg.

Sounds like fun.

You won't go wrong with the Howell brass.

Hey Ramrod what rifle are you building this on?
When we discussed this topic in the "wildcat" section somebody pointed out that Midway has 400 Whelen headstamped brass its not cheap but they have it.
Tell me about your rifle, I'm just starting to polish an 03 action and collect various parts and I think I'm heading down the 400 Whelen road as well!

quote:

When we discussed this topic in the "wildcat" section somebody pointed out that Midway has 400 Whelen headstamped brass its not cheap but they have it.

Nothing real fancy. I think I decribed the case in wildcats. But basically it is a blown out 280 case. Shoulder starting at 2.17", .46 dia and 2.54" long. We are going to build a 375 and 411. I had built a 416 in the past using 280 brass. This time I'm going the simple route and just using a clynder case and running it in the sizing die. Since I will need to us a neck/throater anyway setting it up for 2.6" cases.

400 Whelen brass does me no good. Wrong headstamp and I imagine to short. So more than likely it will be Howell basic.

Actions are Old MKX and M98. Box set to allow 3.4" AOL. Barrels will be #3 for the 375 and probably #4 for the 411. The 375 will be mounted in a Cavilier stock and the 411 will be in an old stock I made after I take some woof off od it. Three leaf express and banded front.