My .338 Federal help.

[pharaoh2]

I just necked up my very first cartridge case. I necked up a Winchester .308 case using an RCBS FL .338 Federal die. I'm surprised how easily the neck expanded, however I noticed it's not quite perfect.

On the left side of the case pictured, you will see the slightest 'bump' where the neck meets the shoulder. I tried it in my rifle, and it chambers. I belive this will fire form when it is shot, but am I doing somthing wrong here? It's only very slight. Will this cause me problems, or shall I resize the whole batch like this and not worry about it? Thanks.

 

[pharaoh2]

Also, my reloading info states my measurments should read 1.675 inches from the bottom of the case to the base of the neck, but my die is giving me a measurment of 1.688, a little longer, but again, it chambers. Big deal?

 

[257Roberts]

I have had better luck using a Lyman M die when expanding necks and I only use the M die when full length sizing any of my reloads, I do not use the expander in the sizing die. It adds a step but I seem to get less case stretch.
They will fire form but I would size them all first and them load them.
You may want to check them for length as well.
Let us know how you make out.
338 Federal sound like fun.
257 Roberts

 

[Gatehouse]

Looks like a hydraulic dent...Too much lube, maybe?

 

['Boo]

I get that same "bump" when I size virgin 30-06 cases up for my 338-06. It will fill out when you fire it the first time.

 

[blargon]

Also, my reloading info states my measurments should read 1.675 inches from the bottom of the case to the base of the neck, but my die is giving me a measurment of 1.688, a little longer, but again, it chambers. Big deal?

I'd trim them to the proper length. They may chamber as is, but you don't want them too long.

 

[pharaoh2]

No that didn't come out right. My case overal length is shorter than the maximum. The longer I was refering to is the distance from the base to the case neck base.

 

[Mauser98]

No that didn't come out right. My case overal length is shorter than the maximum. The longer I was refering to is the distance from the base to the case neck base.

The body length difference is not a problem. As you said, it chambers.

When I neck .30-06 brass up to .35 Whelen, the newly formed cases are always shorter than when the original .30-06 length.

 

[Bigbear]

338

just shoot them they will be fine.I necked up 7rem nosler brass to 338 and the same thing happened. they looked fine after they were fired.

 

[rem338win]

Please keep us up dated on the reloading efforts with this cartridge. I would like to know what type of accuracy vs. velocity you will be getting with this cartridge. Do you have a chrony?

 

[pharaoh2]

Please keep us up dated on the reloading efforts with this cartridge. I would like to know what type of accuracy vs. velocity you will be getting with this cartridge. Do you have a chrony?

No, but I'm thinking of getting one. Velocity doesn't much matter, as long as it shoots tight, I'm happy. I'm expecting this cartridge to be a 2-250 yard deal, so long range isn't a priority.

 

[rem338win]

You're on the right track then! I think it'll make a good everything to 250yd gun (farther if you can get the trajectory down).