Sources of Brass for 35 Winchester

Boolitcaster

Boolitcaster

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Hi,

I am checking to see what brass is available to purchase for the 35 Winchester.

I have heard of sized down and fire sized 405WCF brass, but are there other options available?

Thanks
 
In the Handloader 1974 March edition someone asked Ken Waters about fire forming 30-40 Krag brass to use in there 35 Winchester 1895 Rifle. Here was his reply:



The bigger difficulty
is that the shoulders of those Krag
cases will move forward when fire-formed
to-fit the .35 Winchester chamber, leaving
them with quite short necks. However, by
sizing case necks for a tight tension grip
on the bullets, you shouldn’t have any
trouble.

Now as for loading data, we must first
remember that you will be using a smaller
case [shorter, that is] than the original,
meaning that loads should be reduced
somewhat. With the 250-grain Speer
bullets you propose using, I believe I’d
start with about 43 grains IMR-4895,
working up gradually from there.
Consider 48 grains 4895 as maximum
with that bullet weight. Seat bullets for
an overall loaded cartridge length of 3.10
inches. Muzzle velocities should run
between 2,000 and 2,150hs. Do not use
heavy charges until cases have been fully
fire-formed.
 
hunter64 said:
How short is the neck on the formed .303 British mike?
Click to expand...

I knew that you can fire form 30-40 Krag from 303 British, but with a caution about reduced neck length.

I now know that you can form 35 Win from 30-40 Krag, also with a caution of reduced neck length.

I have lots of 303 brass, but really doubted it would be feasible to size all the way up to 35 Win due to the neck issues.

This is one case where I would be very happy to be proved wrong.:D
 
I checked a couple of the converted .303 British cases that I have and everything is the same as the original 35 Winchester cases. I haven't loaded any to try in the Model 95 but the fellow I got them from used to shoot them regularly out of his Model 95 with no ill effects.
 
Mike K. said:
I checked a couple of the converted .303 British cases that I have and everything is the same as the original 35 Winchester cases. I haven't loaded any to try in the Model 95 but the fellow I got them from used to shoot them regularly out of his Model 95 with no ill effects.
Click to expand...

Great! If this works, a couple of old gals will be shooting again.
 
The .303 British will be 19 thou short of the .35 Winchester and the 30-40 will be 16 thou short of the .35 Winchester. If you already have some .303 Brit I would just go ahead and use those, the extra little bit short that it will be will not matter much I wouldn't think. Obviously your best bet is to get .35 Winchester or resize .405 Winchester but I would give the .303 a try.
 
hunter64 said:
The .303 British will be 19 thou short of the .35 Winchester and the 30-40 will be 16 thou short of the .35 Winchester. If you already have some .303 Brit I would just go ahead and use those, the extra little bit short that it will be will not matter much I wouldn't think. Obviously your best bet is to get .35 Winchester or resize .405 Winchester but I would give the .303 a try.
Click to expand...

I haven't done this, but by looking at the cartridge specs I have I see that both have almost perfect body and rim diameters, but:

- 303 Brit: will have a ~0.125" neck; and
- .30-40: will have a ~0.215" neck.

I'd avoid 303 Brit, but .30-40 Krag seems workable.
 
The 30-40 is a better parent case, but the 303 will work well. the neck is about 0.200" short, but it is along neck to start with, so you get a short, but workable neck.

If you use 303, you could stick with military (not IVI) brass, which is heavier.
 
Mike K. said:
I checked a couple of the converted .303 British cases that I have and everything is the same as the original 35 Winchester cases. I haven't loaded any to try in the Model 95 but the fellow I got them from used to shoot them regularly out of his Model 95 with no ill effects.
Click to expand...

I just found this business in Winnipeg. They sell a case stretching tool that will convert 303 brass to 35 Win. Very cool if a little pricey. Maybe this is how your 303 brass were done. Look at the picture in the bottom right corner.

http://www.kal.castpics.net/CaseStretcher.html
 
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