Wildcat question

[TheSwede]

I wonder, if you want to shorten a caliber can it be done by running the reamer short and then to load just cut off the standard FL die with no need to order a custom die?

 

[WestKentucky]

Maybe. it would take a lot of precision work to get it right though.

 

[TheSwede]

Ok thanks. Yes I guess it might be tough to make the die right this way.

 

[LoonWulf]

Depnds on cartridge dimensions, a case with a decent tapper could end up with issues. If the case is strait or nearly so should be doable as long as it isnt significantly shortened.

What roumd u thinking of perhaps we can help?

 

[Jim Watson]

I agree with Loon Wolf.
If you short ream a chamber, the chamber mouth diameter will be less than standard because of the designed taper. You could probably get by with a slightly short chamber but not a lot short unless the cartridge was only very slightly tapered.

I know the other route has been taken, the .222 1/2 was a deep chambered .222.

 

[DM~]

Wouldn't it be smarter to just take the std. parent die, and shorten the die to where you need it to fit the shortened case? (depending on the case design)

DM

 

[Bart B.]

Yes, it can be done to shorten a rimless bottleneck "cartridge" as long as the cases for it are full length sized in a die whose bottom's cut off and cleaned up the same amount shorter than the reamer didn't go in making the new chamber.

Note that virtually all rimless bottleneck full length sizing die's headspace (yes, dies have headspace) is about .005" less than a GO chamber headspace gauge. That's so full length sized cases whose shell holder stops against the die bottom end up about .002" to .003" less in headspace than a GO chamber headspace gauge.

 

[fguffey]

I wonder, if you want to shorten a caliber can it be done by running the reamer short and then to load just cut off the standard FL die with no need to order a custom die?

Yes, it can be done; I have no ideal why someone like a reloader/smith would choose to go in that directions, as long as presses and dies have threads it is not necessary.

I have done it many times; I have cut short chambers, after I cut a short chamber I size cases for the short chamber. When I start on a chamber the first task is to determine the length of the chamber from the shoulder to the bolt face. Because I size/form cases for short chambers I also size/form cases for long chambers.

My favorite shell holder from the beginning has been the RCBS shell holder. With nothing more than a RCBS shell holder and feeler gages I can form/size cases that are .012" shorter than a minimum length case from the shoulder to the case head. That is .017" shorter than a go-gage length chamber.

And then consideration should be given to the thickness of the case head from the cup above the web to the case head.

F. Guffey

 

[Jim K]

You can do a lot of things like that as long as you are not concerned with conforming to any one else's work or make your "wildcat" work in some other chamber. But what you have is a "one off"; your ammo fits only your gun and vice versa. Nothing else guaranteed.

Jim