Not the same

[Potashminer]

Maybe you are the type that thinks if it fits, it must be okay to use, or perhaps think that it therefore must be correct, if it fits in there. Perhaps you go so far as to read headstamps, to be sure.



All four are head stamped “R-P 300 Win Mag”. All four are previously fired. The two on the left have bronze coloured primers still in - as if fired factory rounds - the two on the right have no primers - as if re-sized. They were all sold to me, here on CGN, as “300 Win Mag” - yet clearly they are different to each other. Very much an instance where using a brass case to decide what is the chambering, could end up in a goofy place! Have to actually measure the cases, first, to know what they are now - not what they were made as before firing and re-sizing (and trimming). Those two “short” ones, appear visually similar to some 308 Norma Magnum cases here, but their head stamp clearly says “R-P 300 Win Mag”. They might also have been made for a .30-338, or several other “short belted magnum” 30 caliber - has to be measured to know.

 

[Londonshooter]

I do reload, but not claiming to be an expert. Gonna go with "not the same". Know what you're doing.

 

[Chilly807]

Sounds like somebody was picking brass from the range scrap bucket and selling it "as marked".
I pick up range brass, but it goes for scrap.

 

[OkayShooter]

Sounds like somebody was picking brass from the range scrap bucket and selling it "as marked".
I pick up range brass, but it goes for scrap.

Yup, probably someone at the range seen a bunch of brass and figure could sell them. Often see people selling low quantities of brass.

Bet you if I tossed out my 30 H brass, someone that had no idea what it was, would sell it as 3030.

 

[fiddler]

Be cautious of any brass that is not your own from original boxes. I have thousands of pieces of brass that are not what they say they are, but the difference is that I made them that way. I know the differences.

 

[Snider shooter]

I reform brass for many of my cartridges. I have 3 different cases marked as 223 but are obviously not, 221 Fireball,7.62x25 and one I am taking a break from making 300 Whisper. All my 223 is range pickups. Some reformed cases aren’t very obvious at first glance. I bought 44-40 brass and found two 44 mag brass during sizing. Fellow probably never noticed them when he bagged and then sold them to me. 300 win mag and 308 Norma mag could pass a quick inspection as the same. I had a fellow at the range who brought a 303 to try but no ammo;figured someone at the range would have some. He checked my MTM box out and seen 303 British head stamp. He asked if he could shoot a couple to see if his rifle worked. He couldn’t understand that it wasn’t 303 British and was upset. I tried explaining it was reformed to 6.5x53R and wouldn’t fit his rifle. He left angry.

 

[kg]

They look like having different neck diameters too.

I got a few 45 Gap that way..., in an ACP bag.

 

[Tex Critter]

Looks like reformed to me. I have brass stamped 30-06 but I've reformed it to 8mm Mauser.

 

[156821]

I gave up buying used brass after a similar experience.

 

[woodchopper]

well the 308 Norma resized brass looks like it got nicely annealed before sizing.

I've resized for all sorts of wildcats over the years. RP brass seems to need annealing

 

[Potashminer]

Another guy is trying to figure out a new-to-him rifle's chambering - the barrel is not marked what it is chambered for - is 30 caliber and is belted case - bolt face is for belted case size. So far, Full Length Sized 300 Wby Mag, 300 H&H, 300 Win Mag will not chamber - a previously fired 308 Norma Mag case does, with some effort to close the bolt. I am sending him a Full Length sized 308 Norma Mag and those two "short ones", shown in the picture.

 

[Alex McKr]

Potashminer: My first thought was possibly .30-338. Could be an optical illusion, but... the case necks of the two cases on the right do appear slightly smaller in diameter, than the two .300 Win Mag. Maybe a wild guess...but are the cases actually necked-down to 7mm? Possibly re-worked to 7mm Mag? When I did a side-by-side comparison: 7mm beside .300, they looked similar to the photo..

Has your friend considered making a chamber cast, of his rifle? Cerrosafe would be best. Paraffin wax, in a pinch. A good way to determine cartridge.

 

[Potashminer]

Potashminer: My first thought was possibly .30-338. Could be an optical illusion, but... the case necks of the two cases on the right do appear slightly smaller in diameter, than the two .300 Win Mag. Maybe a wild guess...but are the cases actually necked-down to 7mm? Possibly re-worked to 7mm Mag? When I did a side-by-side comparison: 7mm beside .300, they looked similar to the photo..

Has your friend considered making a chamber cast, of his rifle? Cerrosafe would be best. Paraffin wax, in a pinch. A good way to determine cartridge.

30-338 - yes, a possibility - from that guy, I understand there were many 30 caliber Mags done up on shortened 300 or 375 H&H cases or their progeny - often only a few degrees difference in the shoulder angle - and some were even commercially popular - many were not. He did try a Full Length sized 308 Norma Mag - it was trimmed to length with a Lee case gauge tool after sizing it - that bolt closed easily on that - although it would not close easy on a previously fired one that he had from a previous rifle - but he did get that bolt closed on that fired case. Then he jiffy markered up that "new" case and had a slight "sliver" of it rubbed off at one place on the chamber shoulder area - close enough that I would try a milder "start" load for 308 Norma Mag and see what comes out versus what got put in there. I had offered to send some cerrosafe - he says he already has some. I think he has satisfied himself what it is - what will fit and what won't fit

 

[Alex McKr]

Potashminer: Sounds like he is narrowing it down. So often the case with many custom or wildcat-chambered rifles....not marked in any way to easily identify. Have been down that frustrating path myself. You're likely right....a mild case forming load may help. Measurements of the fired cartridge likely to offer some further clarity.
I'd still do a chamber cast, to help nail it down.. Even though he is pretty confident in the rifle being chambered for .308 Norma. Since he does have some cerrosafe on hand, that should be an easy job.

 

[pathfinder76]

Pro tip. Never ever buy used brass. I shake my head that people actually do that.

 

[Munkey1973]

This is why I've never bought used brass... even for I used to reload pistol. Buy factory ammo, shoot in your own gun, then reload it.

 

[boxhitch]

'Range brass' can be anything in any condition, to claim it is once-fired cannot be trusted
We often leave tired old used-up brittle brass at the range and it disappears

I'll buy once-fired if I trust the seller

 

[MRP]

Looks like reformed to me. I have brass stamped 30-06 but I've reformed it to 8mm Mauser.

Yup lots of 06 to 8x57, even old cracked 8x57 to 308.

Never trust anything you are going to put in your gun, how many times we have read on this site and others, wrong brass, bullets, ammunition in the box from the factory. Inspect everything, except anything.

 

[remington jim]

Pro tip. Never ever buy used brass. I shake my head that people actually do that.

Shake your head all you want BUT There LOT,s of GOOD used brass especially 1x fired ! RJ

 

[jethunter]

Shake your head all you want BUT There LOT,s of GOOD used brass especially 1x fired ! RJ

I have bought used brass several times, I understand it needs be inspected and I'm not scared of it. I also understand we're all at varying levels of proficiency and different comfort zones. Some people aren't comfortable to do what I do, and that's OK.