necking down

25 January 2004, 03:06

djj

necking down

I am thinking about doing a .338 on a 9.3X74R case. I've done some necking up, but not down. Can I take it down from .366 to .338 in one step?

25 January 2004, 05:42

carcano91

If you want a rimmed .338, you would get far better performance from the well-established German semi-wildcat (CIP standardized) 8,5x63 R.

Regards, Carcano

25 January 2004, 06:04

Wildcat Crazy

That would only be a reduction of .028 so there should be no problem. If you use too much lube on the neck you can get wrinkles in rhe shoulder.I have went twice as much in one pass.

WC

25 January 2004, 12:14

bartsche

Yes! Use Thinnn coat of Bardahl---No wrinkles

Roger

26 January 2004, 02:52

djj

Quote:

If you want a rimmed .338, you would get far better performance from the well-established German semi-wildcat (CIP standardized) 8,5x63 R.

Regards, Carcano

C91, could you fill me in with alittle more detail? I ran a search, and didn't come up with much. I'm just curious, as I already have a supply of 74R brass to work with. And I'm thinking this case, blown out and with a increased shoulder, will do what I want. But I will consider the 63R.
My first thought was to just do a .338x74 R Keith, but decided to "improve" it.
Thanks also to WC and Bart.
djj

26 January 2004, 03:44

carcano91

Quote:

Quote:

If you want a rimmed .338, you would get far better performance from the well-established German semi-wildcat (CIP standardized) 8,5x63 R.

Regards, Carcano

C91, could you fill me in with a little more detail? I ran a search, and didn't come up with much. I'm just curious, as I already have a supply of 74R brass to work with. And I'm thinking this case, blown out and with a increased shoulder, will do what I want. But I will consider the 63R.

My first thought was to just do a .338x74 R Keith, but decided to "improve" it.

Of course, part of the wildcatting attraction and lore is just "the fun of it", and I am dangerously close to trying to spoil it

.

Now, the elder slimmer sister of the 9,3x74 R is the 8x75 RS (an older 8x75 R also existed). But the 8x75 RS is difficult to reload, and offers the usual disadvantages of a longer tapered case.

Whereas Werner Reb's recent design from 1983/84 (okay, already over 2 years of age) not only uses the popular .338 bullet size, but also a very modern case with sharp 40ï¿½ shoulder and performance in the small Magnum league, combined with usually excellent accuracy. It was intended to fill the perceived gap of rimmed cartridges between the 9,3x74 R and the 8x57 IRS, and it did do this very well.

For the US hunter and his needs, this semi-wildcat is clearly superior to the 9,3x74 R, and far better suited to wider shots (out to 300 metres). At 300 metres, its terminal energy is akin to the .300 H&H. Pressure is still *very* tolerable (3300 bar CUP / 3800 bar Piezo).

Basic cases for this round are the 9,3x74 R (indeed) and the 7x65 R; reforming is unproblematic (look out for case neck diameter though).

For its rimless brother, one usually employs the .35 Whelen or the .280 Rem as an easily accessible basic case. Horneber makes original cases for either version too.

Best regards,

Carcano

26 January 2004, 04:45

djj

Thanks Carcano.
djj

27 January 2004, 12:01

Paul H

I do recall reading about a 338X74R in either Rifle or Handloader in the late 70's or early 80's. With a gentle shoulder angle, necking down is a fairly straightforward process. It's the steep shoulder angles that cause grief.

I'll see if I can dig up that article, but me thinks it is one of the well stored, ie buried box of old gun mags.

28 January 2004, 00:45

djj

I know how that is