Ok I have a question. Do you all think there is enough belt on the 224 Weatherby to headspace a cartridge? I ask because I've been thinking about taking the cartridge and blowing it out straight. This would basically be a 38-55 in a really small mauser, like the 527. My main thought was for a good brush gun for a small kid.

Bill

P.S.- I actually formed one of these and it looks like a micro 458 mag .

Should be enough belt.

224 weatherby rocket is a 30-06 case with a belt swaged into it...

which means 35 whelen or 375 whelen, is what you are saying.

jeffe

Jeffe, are you sure your not talking about the 240 weatherby? I'm talking the 224.

Bill

To make sure we are all on the same case.



Bill

OUCH my mistake...

and yes, the rim would be enough.

thanks for posting the pic

jeffe

In fact, I have an article here on the .400 Brown Whelen by John Kronfeld where he says:

"Lastly, for those who like the ballistics of this 2 1/2-inch cartridge [the .400 Whelen], but still feel there is a potential for headspace problems, the .240 Weatherby Magnum is often referred to as a belted 30-06. Size the .240 Weatherby Magnum cases like any other belted case. If you should inadvertently push the shoulder back, the belt will establish headspace. Note that the base dimensions of the 30-06 type case and the .240 Weatherby Magnum are the same. This means that no modification to the extractor or bolt face of your rifle is required."

Using the .240 Wby case might be the ideal answer to getting a .411 bullet out of a standard 30-06 action and bolt face. Very interesting idea, overall. It would not be just a pea-shooter, either. His data for the .400 Whelen indicated 300 gr at 2400+ fps and 400 gr at 2100 fps. That's plenty of power.

If the 400 Whelen brass is made like the original there is no headspace problem. It wasn't made from formed '06 brass but from cylindrical brass before it was necked down. This resulted in a .458" to .460" shoulder diameter that is more than sufficient for headspacing. Much of the "modern" 400 Whelen brass has a much smaller diameter neck.

Ray