Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Help fire forming 338-06

I didn't find WHAT amount the headspace was "off"...just that a gunsmith confirmed it...all that means maybe is the bolt closed on a NoGo gauge...

WHAT method should be used or HOW is should be fixed cen entail could be anything and everything from just adjusting the dies correctly to shaving off a bit of shoulder to a rechamber.

I say again...the AMOUNT of "headspace" needs to be determined BEFORE deciding on what is the "correct" method. Setting up the sizer die wrong by not understanding just what "headspace" actually is, can be the the problem in a nutshell...Don gives a good description of a way to achieve a correct solution...following those instructions...I would start 10% BELOW the starting loads for the 338-06 A Square...will get you there.

I've been using the Stoney headspace gauges since they first came out and it was money well spent and cheap at twice the 30 bucks or so...and before that headspace gauges I made myself out of scrap barrels, tubing, metal blocks, nuts, etc.

EVERY rifle, set of dies, bullet, case, etc has tolerance specs that if stacked in the wrong direction will give you excess headspace or slop in the ammo OR could tighten up too tight for anything to work or the bolt to close on factory ammo.

Basically it boils down to ctw determinging WHAT AMOUNT the headspace really is then picking a solution, many very good solutions have been suggested...OR NOT.

There are many roads to Las Vegas or to Paris, any one of them will get you there.

NFG
Well I have a lot to learn,(no one knows it all) which is why I asked the questions. My post may sound whiney to some but frustration can do that. What I do not need to learn are honesty and common courtesy I did have proper potty training coming up, many today lack it.
CTW

Being the AR personality that I am, I use 270 brass trimmed to 2.50" and fire form with corn meal and 13 grains of Bullseye for my 338-06AI. sizing 30-06 brass always winds up short on the neck. This way most cases wind up about 2.488 to 2.490 and I can trim to 2.484.

I used the cream of wheat method in my .338-06!

New .30-06 brass.

Mike

We really don't know that the headspace is incorrect. I assume the gunsmith used a 30-06 NO GO gauge (that will work for any 30-06 based case with the standard shoulder). All that told you was that your #1 may not be chambered for a 30-06 case necked up to 338.

AS previously noted, there ARE many variations of a reformed 30-06 case shooting a 338 bullet. Hence the suggestion to try some SAAMI speced factory ammo before doing anything else..

If that will not work properly, a chamber cast is step two.

This is not rocket science. Just do it !

I use 35 whelen brass, once it is resized it shoots the same fire formed or brand new for me.

I've used new and several fired brass of 30-06 by all makers. Never fired formed a one. Except as full up hunting loads in my 338-06s. Shoot extremely well and kill elk just as well.