How to cut brass cases?

[Shinbone]

I have a 6.5x57 benchrest rifle. Usually I fireform 7x57 cases. But I read that 30-06 cases can be full length sized, then trimmed (or more like cut) to 2.232 length and no fireforming is necessary. What would be the best method to take that much brass off the 30-06 cases after being sized?
Thanks.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Probably a tubing cutter to bring them nearly to proper length, followed by a standard case trimmer for a finish cut.

 

[1moa@500]

I have locked the cases in a lee case holder that they use to trim and used a cut off wheel on a dremel tool. Just cut a little long then proceed to a standard trimmer

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

a copeing saw with a fine tooth blade will do the job.

 

[fatelk]

I usually just scribe a line at the right length with my calipers, then grind to length on a bench grinder. It's quicker than cutting. Don't burn your fingers.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If it gets hot enough to burn you, it may be getting hot enough to anneal the brass. So caution is indicated.

 

[Kernel]

Annealing would be an added benifit. As long as it's kept away from the case head/web juncture.

Got this baby cut-off saw at Harbor Freight for about $25. Works pretty good on brass cases.

Neck turning may be in your future, since your new neck & mouth will come from the part of the .30-06 case where the wall is thicker. See how it goes. Depends mostly on your rifle's chamber dimmensions.

 

[fguffey]

I have a case forming die for most of the chambers I load for, the dies allow a 30/06 case to be formed to 308W, 7.65X53 BM, 7X57, 8X57 and 257 Roberts, after the die is used to form cases, it is used as a trim die. Rational, 100 cases can cost $40.00, with a forming/trim die and 30/06 cases most of the chambers I load for will never cost more than .10 cents each plus time.

Trimming with a forming die is done with a hack saw then finished with a file, I also have air craft counter sinks that are used with an electric drill. The 308W trim die doubles as a 7.7 Japanese with a little adjusting.

http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_caseform.html

The 7X57 cost about $38.00.

F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

Trimming with a tubing cutter, find a metal rod that will support the neck and prevent it from collapsing.

F. Guffey

 

[redneck2]

I form cases for my .357 Herrett from .30-30's. They have to be trimmed 2/10ths. I tried the saw, tubing cutter, etc. PITA. Ended up just using my normal trimmer adapted to power.

Take off the crank handle and replace it with a cap screw with a hex head. Threads are metric. Lowe's had the right one (take the old screw with you). I drive mine with a power drill with a socket adapter and a 1/4" metric socket.

I can shorten the .200 in maybe 10-15 seconds per case, maybe less.

 

[sniper5]

I cut down 100 .357 Remington Maximums to .357 Magnum by just chucking them in the Lee self centering case holder in a drill and using the case trimmer coupled to the cutter with the wooden ball handle. Worked pretty well and reasonably fast.

 

[fguffey]

Trimming required for 100 7X57 cases after they are formed from 30/06 is 2ft 3in or .262 per case, that is a little over 1/4 if an inch, I prefer the hack saw. Cutter heads for a trimmer cost about $16.00 each, and the hack saw is fast.

F. Guffey

 

[evan price]

Check if RCBS makes a trim/form die for the caliber. That one has a hardened top, you run the die on the case and use a hack saw to cut off whatever sticks over the top of the die. About $40. Really nice for making 8x57 out of 30-06.

 

[fguffey]

http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_caseform.html

Link list RCBS case forming/trim dies.

RCBS and Huntingtons, neighbors, same street, town and state.

F. Guffey

 

[rcmodel]

Not just neighbors.
Fred Huntington was Mr. RCBS until he sold the company to Omark in 1976.

RCBS ie: "Rock Chuck Bullet Swagers" was founded by Fred Huntington in 1943.

rc

 

[fguffey]

http://www.huntingtonsports.com/specialinterest.html

then click on this link Fred T. Huntington Biography +/-


RCBS, Inc. was founded by Fred

F. Guffey