Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Fireforming 35 Whelen

First time fireforming 30-06 brass into 35 Whelen. I plan to use BullsEye with bullet. My problem is i've read 2 vastlt opinions on the load to use. The first said to weight the powder it took to completly fill a 30-06 case and start w/ 1/10 that weight. That will around 5 g Bullseye, if not completely form to work up at 1/10 g
incretments.

The other was by the late late George Nonte who used 16 g of Bullseye.

There is a big difference. What is you 35 Whelen shooters favorite Bullseye load for fireforming??

Thanks
Don

Hi Don,
When I had a 35 Whelen I just ran the 30-06 cases through the Whelen FL sizing die. The expander button was designed to open the 30 neck to 35. Never lost a case. Unfortunately, I can't recall which company made the dies, and they were part of the trade when I got rid of the rifle.

Don,

I would not advise using Bullseye with a bullet. The method I have always used is using 12 - 16 grs. of Bullseye; Then fill the case to about halfway up the neck with corn meal or cream of wheat. Tamp it down and then plug the end with parafin wax. (Canning wax) Fireform the case in a safe direction. It will ususally form it quite nicely. Hope this helps...the9.3Guy

There is very little to fire form in the .30-06 to .35 Whelan scenario. Buy some inexpensive 200 grain Hornadys or Remington Core Lokts from Midway or Lock Stock and Barrel, charge them with a medium load of your choice of powders (IMR4895 works great) in any manual and have fun. I burn up fire forming loads at ground squirrels and prairie dogs. Once I do this for every caliber. The old "light load, Cream of Wheat fire form" information of old is quite a bother and a waste of money. It isn't any fun either. I also use the fireforming for load development. Works for me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Flinch

Flinch,


I have to admit that you "one-upped" me on that one. Don't know what I was thinking. It makes much more sense to do it that way. But truth to be known, I don't know why anyone would want to form .35 Whelan cases when you can buy them in bulk.

The only reason I can think of is if someone has a quantity of once fired .30-06 cases on hand. The down side of this scenario, is that forming cases that have priviously been fired usually results in cases that don't last very long. Usually split after 1 or 2 firings. Thus you really don't save that much money. If you're going to buy new brass, then you might just as well buy the correct headstamp.

Just my random thoughts from an idle mind... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ...the9.3Guy

I'm a state employee and the second lowest paid in the US at what I do. I have to save money by picking the cheapest brass. That's the 30-06 brass in bulk from Midway. I always run brass through in the sizer die anyway. Seems logical to use economical brass. Midway's price was around $20/100 for '06 and $24 plus/100 for Whelen. That's RustyZipper....CHEAP!

R.Z.

You got me there! $4 is $4 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

the9.3Guy

I tried to go easy on you 9.3 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I really like to eat Cream of Wheat (grew up on the stuff) and it seems like a horrible waste to shoot it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I don't lose any brass when fire forming to a new caliber (other than Ackelys) by using the method I outlined above. Once fire formed to the new chamber, I just barely bump the shoulders so they feed nice with just a hint of bolt resistance when I close the bolt. Maybe I have just been lucky. My intent was not to one up you. Sorry it came across that way. Flinch

Aw..Flinch,

No apology necessary. My response was with tongue planted firmly in cheek. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

However, now that you mentioned wildcat calibers. What are your thoughts on forming AI cases? Just recently acquired a .30-06 AI. Haven't checked the headspace as yet. Neck up to 8mm or .338 and then neck back down to the bolt will just close? I'm open to suggestions...the9.3Guy