Tangential to the discussion of the last couple of days on the .30x1.6".....

A VERY nice little case for real accuracy with cast bullets is made using a 30-06 or 30-06 AI reamer, and running it in just deep enough to headspace on a 6 PPC headspace gauge.

Doing that gives one a case which they could call the .30x1.4", though it is actually a tad longer than that. Anyway, it is about the same case as one would get by running the .30 BR reamer in almost a 0.100" short.

This case has won a lot of matches at the monthly Emerald Empire cast bullet benchrest shoots near Springfield, Oregon...which is one of the two or three most competitive venues in the U.S.

Oddly enough, it seems to do very well by forming once-fired Lake City military .308 cases down (moving the shoulder back) and spinning the case in the lathe while holding a piece of Scotch-brite around the base of the case (reduces diameter of base just enough to chamber easily). The result is a small case with a large primer pocket which, with WLR primers, seems to ignite the powder with exceptional consistency.

Without a lathe, of course one can chuck the case in an electric drill and spin it...but a lathe is easier and faster.

Best wishes,

AC

I am finishing up a similar round, however, I went the opposite tack: 300 Win Mag short reamed, and 284 Win cases trimmed to 1.575".

This yields a case 40 mm long, rated for 65,000 psi, with rifle primer, 308 bolt face, and loaded length with a 168 gr is 2.25" or so.

Kind of a 30 BR on steroids .... using a set of 300 Win Mag trim dies and then neck turning the excessively thick necks.

With a 150 gr bullet it suggests performance right up there with the venerable 308 Winchester, but from a shorter package.

Edit - I dubbed it 308 Sabre, for Short Action Bench Rest Extreme.

[ 10-15-2003, 07:44: Message edited by: MartytW ]