Hi guys,

I've been reloading for a few years now, and have always had factory rifles, shooting full length resized brass. Pretty straight forward.

Now I'm having my 308 win rechambered to the 338 Federal, and I bought the Redding full length dies to size my 308 cases to 338 fed.

The gunsmith asked me to think about "match" chamber vs. "factory" chamber as far as dimensions I would like.

I'm not sure how much trouble I may have with my cases if I go with a "match" chamber. Would this mean that I have to check runout, neck reaming etc...

I've never done any of this nor do I even know what that stuff is all about.

Any help would be appreciated.

This rifle will be primarily for hunting but I do want the most accuracy I can achieve.

Mike

My understanding is there isn't just one definition for the term "match chamber". I would suggest you ask your gunsmith what he means by the term.
If he means a SAMMI minimum dimention chamber, then quality dies should work fine. And no need for extra case prep steps.
Your best plan would be to make up 3 or 4 dummy cartridges. Use the same components you plan on using. Give these to your smith along with your intended use of the rifle (hunting, target shooting,plinking).

muck

No doubt he is talking of setting the headspace to the minimum size. A lot of them call this a match chambering, although it doesn't tell you much. Your brass will last longer in a minimum chamber, that's about all you can be guaranteed, but that is a good thing. Have him set it up to the minimum.

When I asked him what he meant by "match" chamber, he did mean SAMMI minimum and he says he polishes the chamber so the feeding and extraction is more reliable and smoother.

What he does is lay out a list of options for someone who has a rifle built by him. Some guys like myself are concerned with accuracy so he takes extra steps.

Other guys just want a quality custom built hunting rifle so minimum chambers, short throats etc.. aren't a concern so their package would be cheaper.

Along with my package, he is working up handloads for me as well and sends a target shot at 500 yards.

What my concerns were if I chose a minimum chamber dimension, short throat etc..will I have more work involved in my case prep such as inside and outside neck turning, checking bullet runout etc... I'm not 100% sure what this stuff even is yet. I was hoping to just have to run my 308 cases in the dies and turn out 338 fed cases with a trim perhaps. I wouldn't mind doing the extra work as long as I knew what I would be doing and it's done safely.

Mike

beretta96
If you are paying for a custom "rig". You should get what you want. The best way of communicating what chamber you want is to make up 3 or 4 "dummy" cartridges. Make them up using the components you intend to use. Run the brass through your full length dies, then seat the bullet you are going to use. No primer or powder. Send/give them to your smith. Tell him to cut the chamber to fit these dummies.
This is the best way I know to insure that the ammo you will make will be zero head space. Or as near zero as possible. This is truly a custom chamber. But one customized to your loading dies. [Note you didn't have to do any "special" case prep to do this, therefor don't need to for normal reloading with your dies.]
Talk this idea over with your gun smith.

muck

Match chambers have no to little value to hunting rifles.....I wouldn't spend a dime extra for it......and as a matter of fact I wouldn't want it free!

Thanks muck, I'll do what you mentioned and send them out to him. That should really simplify things on my end in the future.

For example, I would like to use the 180gr or 200gr accubonds and would like to use my box length so that would be 2.850". How much of a jump to the rifling should I allow? How much would this distance affect pressures if I change bullets someday if accubonds no longer exist?

This is a great forum, I keep learning the more I read!

Thanks,
Mike

bang, fireformd cases