I picked up what I thought is 7x57 brass at the local fun show. Went to reload it and noticed that many of the cases were marked 30-06 SPFD or FA MATCH 58, FA MATCH 57, FA MATCH 60, etc. I measured them with a caliper in several places and they have the dimensionsions of a 7x57 case. They will chamber in my 7x57 Ruger #1 and also go through the 7x57 FL sizing die. Is it possible to make 7x57 cases from 30-06 brass? And should I use them or dicard them?

7x57 can be made from '06 brass. If the dimensions are correct there's no reason not to use them.

Do a search here on the forum. There was a interesting read on the process a few months back.

Very good reliable 7x57 brass can be (and often is) made from both military and civilian .30-06 cases.

Three cautions...

1. Make sure you full-length resize the brass before loading it the first time, and

2. Drop your powder charges a couple of grains from what you are putting in your current 7x57 loads, then work back up while keeping an eye out for excess pressure signs. (Some cases reformed from '06 brass, particularly from G.I. '06 brass, will have somewhat less powder capacity than commercial 7x57 cases.)

That means you can get the same performance with a bit less powder, whereas using the same amount of powder MIGHT give you excess pressure, particularly if you are using max loads in your commercial brass.

So, do as you should when changing any other component...drop down a bit to start and then work back up to the performance level you want.

3. Check the overall brass length to make certain it doesn't need trimming before reloading.

Have fun.....
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Thanks for all the good info. Thought maybe I'd wasted my money. I'll load them up tonight so I'm ready for the range on Saturday.

You might want to check the neck wall thickness. A tight chamber neck diameter can cause no goes, hard closing and elevated pressure. You may have to turn the necks to get proper fit in your particular rifle. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
You might want to check the neck wall thickness. A tight chamber neck diameter can cause no goes, hard closing and elevated pressure. You may have to turn the necks to get proper fit in your particular rifle. roger

Good point, Roger. I can't remember if I had to ream my case necks all those years ago when I made mine from gov't '06 or not. (Back then nobody I knew had an outside neck wall turner.)


Sure wouldn't hurt to check it just for grins though.