All I can say is WTF on this one...

Yes its just for the pic. I'll have a look but the die set says full length.... Again I'm new to reloading and only ever reloaded my 308 with new brass... but thanks for the post I will have a look

It happens a lot... a case fired in a different rifle and you try to full length size it to fit your rifle... and the press isn't strong enough to do it. The press springs open and the case fails to be fully sized... and in some cases the die does not size the case enough... your chamber may be a bit tight as well...

I use a Bonanza Co Ax press and have sized many cases with the customers dies that previously would not fit their guns when they tried to full length size and thought they were doing it... The vast majority of presses being used are simply too light for some sizing operations.
 

I was never keen on the idea of making one type of case from another, now I know why – because fire forming and otherwise tweaking the brass does not update the head stamp.

No doubt doing this is safe and effective in the hands of someone who knows what they are about (these would be the wildcatters), and it has brought us many interesting cartridges, some of which have gone on to become "factory" cartridges, others not.

But wildcatting and similar activities can also cause confusion and potential hazard to those who purchase, inherit or otherwise acquire these items.

My own preference is to stay with calibers and components that are what they say they are, and that come from trusted sources.

Glad to see this sorted out, it is great to have lots of very experienced and knowledgeable shooters and reloaders here.

Snapshot


While for the most part I see what you're saying there are a few reasons for doing it. The H&H case is tapered like a carrot, and is one of the few examples that sees a real benefit in case capacity by improving it. Even without the higher velocity, case life may be improved by having a real shoulder to headspace on.

The improved (Ackley or Weatherby) chamber will take the standard .375 H&H ammo and fire it without problems.
 
While for the most part I see what you're saying there are a few reasons for doing it. The H&H case is tapered like a carrot, and is one of the few examples that sees a real benefit in case capacity by improving it. Even without the higher velocity, case life may be improved by having a real shoulder to headspace on.

The improved (Ackley or Weatherby) chamber will take the standard .375 H&H ammo and fire it without problems.

Yes. Yes, it will. And following that shot the case will now be a 375 Improved-of-some-sort that is still stamped 375 H&H.

In the hands of the original fire-former or someone with suitable experience I am sure the cartridge that people have been using for 100+ years can be improved.

In the hands of someone with less experience who buys or inherits the brass with the misleading head stamp, or if cartridges are mixed up in shipping, at camp, etc. this can be awkward.

So there are advantages and disadvantages to everything, to me it seems the potential problems outweigh the benefits.

Snapshot
 
Yup the neck angle looks a lot sharper on the fired brass. I am thinking it is your Lee die.

Either your not fully sizing your cases or the die is incorrect. Is the ram and shell holder of your press topping out at the base of your sizing die at the top of the stroke? Look closely at your die. Perhaps it is a neck size only die and it got thrown in your die kit in error.

As long as new factory ammo fits your are golden. It has to be your die.
 
Yes. Yes, it will. And following that shot the case will now be a 375 Improved-of-some-sort that is still stamped 375 H&H.

In the hands of the original fire-former or someone with suitable experience I am sure the cartridge that people have been using for 100+ years can be improved.

In the hands of someone with less experience who buys or inherits the brass with the misleading head stamp, or if cartridges are mixed up in shipping, at camp, etc. this can be awkward.

So there are advantages and disadvantages to everything, to me it seems the potential problems outweigh the benefits.

Snapshot

Exactly. I have some 30-06 marked brass that you could never make chamber in a 30-06 rifle because it's been run through 366 Wagner forming die. One must be very conscious of used brass to make sure there's nothing hinky going on.
 
Exactly. I have some 30-06 marked brass that you could never make chamber in a 30-06 rifle because it's been run through 366 Wagner forming die. One must be very conscious of used brass to make sure there's nothing hinky going on.

Hinky? I had to google that........:p

I have a handful of 45acp brass that has 308 on the headstamp. I made it years ago as an experiment. I sure hope it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.......;)
 
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