Cartridge conversion: excess metal goes to the base
I'm (trying) to convert .327 Federal Magnum to .300 Rook using RCBS dies. The excess metal is being forced down to the web of the case thus thickening the case by an additional .020 inch. Besides using a lathe which I don't have, does anyone have any suggestions? Bertram cases seem to fragile, .32H&R Mag cases and other .32 cases are either to short or even less available.
Thanks,
mjg
30 April 2011, 09:17
bartschequote:
Originally posted by mjg:
I'm (trying) to convert .327 Federal Magnum to .300 Rook using RCBS dies. The excess metal is being forced down to the web of the case thus thickening the case by an additional .020 inch. Besides using a lathe which I don't have, does anyone have any suggestions? Bertram cases seem to fragile, .32H&R Mag cases and other .32 cases are either to short or even less available Thanksmjg

I guess I don't understand everything I know. The web is thickening by .020". I'd kinda like to see this.

roger
30 April 2011, 09:29
SR4759What is the before diameter of the .327 brass?
What diameter are you trying to swage it to?
30 April 2011, 18:13
Jim C. <><I'm not quite sure I know what you're measuring but I can assure you that you ain't pushing any side wall brass down into the web/base.
30 April 2011, 19:22
HuviusThis is what he is talking about.
This is a 32 S&W Long which I have squeezed down to make 320 Rook.
I think if I measured the web area, it would probably be the same before and after forming.
The only thing to do now is to lathe off the base and trim to length.
OR, get smart and find some 32 Long Colt and forget the forming path.
Same goes for the 300. Just buy some brass. It will last forever and is easy to get.
As for length, I doubt there would be any problem shooting the short rounds in the 300. Kind of like the .22 short, long and long rifle but there you are talking the same forming step regardless of the case length.
Oh, this shoulder is just a result of the shell holder not allowing the die to push all the way down to the rim.
I am thinking that if you (or I) had a die and plunger that could push the case all the way in, it may be possible to size the brass and leave little or no bulge at the base. Would have to be pretty stout to squeeze the web down though I would think.
Or, if the bore of your gun is toast and you are just looking to get it to shoot, you could ream out the first 1/8" of your chamber and have the worlds only .300 Rook Belted Magnum!

01 May 2011, 19:54
jeffeossoThat pic is incomplete sizing.
01 May 2011, 22:10
hawkinsYes you can push the case all the way in then
push it out with a rod. that's the way old timers used to do it, bench shootewrs still do.
Use your press as an arbor press, lot's of
Imperial Die wax.
Good luck!
01 May 2011, 22:17
ramrod340quote:
Yes you can push the case all the way in then
push it out with a rod. that's the way old timers used to do it, bench shootewrs still do.
Use your press as an arbor press, lot's of
Imperial Die wax.
+1

02 May 2011, 00:44
SmokinJPushing the case all the way into the die and pushing it out with a rod and you have a very good chance of cracking your die. It doesn't take much to crack a die. They aren't made to "swage" cases down. Also you will have spring back and the case may still be too fat to chamber. You need for someone to make you a heavy duty swage down die. For example I've made them for taking 308 down to 6.5 Japanese. I'm not real fond of lathing off the part you can't size down as all that does is weakens the case.
mjg,
Does you brass look like the case I have shown?
This is why I just went ahead and sourced the right brass.