Fireforming .308 cal brass to .375 cal brass

[Bart B.]

any time a case is smaller in powder capacity ... it is less a barrel burner than one with more capacity .

Yes, but for the same bore diameter in the barrel.

I researched barrel lives some years ago then came up with a rule of thumb.... Most data came from Sierra Bullets' test barrel lives.

A cartridge whose powder charge weight in grains is the same number for the barrels bore cross section area in square millimeters has a 3000 round barrel life for a match grade one. If a hunting rifle, 6000 rounds. Service rifles for combat, 9000 rounds. Increase charge weights 40% and barrel life numbers are halved. Double it's weight and life's 1/4th as much.

 

[JimKirk]

Bart ... I was referring to the barrel life between 6.5 mm(.264) cartridges.....

The 26 Nosler would be probably the worst, then the .264 Win Mag, then a 6.5/300 WSM, then a 6.5 RSAUM..... right on down to the best...

Purely based on case capacity ..,

 

[Bart B.]

I had a long range match rifle in 264 Win Mag. Barrel lasted 640 rounds then went from sub MOA at 600 yards to 3 MOA over four shots. Leade had advanced near 1/10th inch. Burned 71 grains of H870 under Norma 139 grain match bullets.

 

[JimKirk]

Yes ... The .264 WM will have short barrel life .... 600 hundred rounds fired at game animals would last a hunter a long time ...

My boss had a .35 Remington .... He killed 17 deer out of the same box of bullets ....

I would think in all practically.... the . 264 WM is thought of as a hunting rifle ....

But back to barrel life .... Do you think a 6.5 RSAUM would have better barrel life over the .264 WM due to the less case capacity of the 6.5 RSAUM?

 

[Bart B.]

Yes, it burns less powder for a given bullet weight at the same max pressure.

 

[MCMXI]

Another update on the .375 SAM. Hornady shipped the custom dies today so I'll be able to put together some loads fairly soon. I mailed brass to them in early January so it took about 8 to 9 weeks to get dies made. I'm looking forward to seeing how this rifle will shoot.

 

[MCMXI]

don't want to derail this thread ... but I think the 6.5/300 SAM would be an idea mid game caliber .... I went as far as gathering a few case of 300 WSM and 300 SAM to build a custom on a 700 Rem SA action

Hornady is launching the 6.5 PRC this year which is basically the same cartridge. Personally I don't see the advatage of the 6.5 PRC over a 270 WSM for hunting.

 

[MCMXI]

The dies came in today. Just a simple FL sizer and seater die but the FL die has been made to minimally size the brass to help with case life. I got my five pieces of fireformed brass back too. Now the weather is improving it shouldn't take too long to work up a good load for that mule of a rifle.

 

[Walkalong]

Nice, no excuses now, get out and shoot that puppy.

 

[JimKirk]

Nice looking dies ... now you can reload and shoot !! Report back with some results ....

 

[MCMXI]

Nice, no excuses now, get out and shoot that puppy.

Nice looking dies ... now you can reload and shoot !! Report back with some results ....

10-4 and will do! I need to fireform some more cases though so will get on that over the coming weeks. Where's my sissy pad .... .

 

[Bart B.]

Bart ... I was referring to the barrel life between 6.5 mm(.264) cartridges.....

I'm referring to all calibers. All those between 22 and 35 caliber were included in my research.

 

[JimKirk]

I'm referring to all calibers. All those between 22 and 35 caliber were included in my research.

If you say so ...