Re-sizing .35 Remington to original case dimensions?

[stonecoldy]

I recently obtained over 40 brass cases with a 35 Remington headstamp (bought sight unseen), after a quick look discovered they had been sized to a different caliber ( calipers show .308" was the bullet diameter loaded) with a more substantial shoulder than typical .35 Rem. case has. Overall length of the cases is about 1.92 inches. I'm not sure what cartridge this was for offhand, and have not heard from the seller yet.
Regardless, I would like to re-size to original .35 Remington case dimensions if possible, and if not requiring much additional expense due to the small amount of brass involved.
I'm asking for opinions and experience as to whether this is feasible to pursue or not.
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
Ron

 

[hogshead]

Not sure but I think you have to fire form it. Better wait for someone who knows for sure though. It sure is hard to find 35 brass isnt it.

 

[243winxb]

Check the measurement of your brass with drawings here. http://www.stevespages.com/page8d.htm

 

[stonecoldy]

243winxb, that link was a big help. These cases appear to be closest to 300 Savage, based on overall case length, shoulder angle (30 degrees), and body length from base to beginning of shoulder. Case neck length is longer than shown, 0.28" compared to 0.22".
I have a small collection of factory cartridges but not a 300 Savage for comparison, unfortunately.
Hogshead, you are right about finding brass; fortunately I have another deal with another member for 60 cases to work with
All of this for a Marlin 336 I don't even have yet, but will get this spring from a hunting buddy when I see him next time.

 

[NCsmitty]

The 35 Rem is an odd ball size brass with it's .460 rim and case base size, where the basic standard rim size of .470 is used for 300 Savage and many other cases including 30'06.
You'll have to run one through a 35 Rem FL die to see if they can be resized back to spec without annealing.
I'm guessing that they are stamped 35 Rem?



NCsmitty

 

[rcmodel]

I'm thinking annealing will be necessary.

They are already work hardened from being sized down to .30 cal..
I imagine they would protest by cracking very shortly after being expanded back to .36 cal without annealing first.

rc

 

[stonecoldy]

Most of the cases are Winchester, I had measured one of a couple Remington fired cases in the lot.
The odd-ball .30 cal. sized Remington cases have a base diameter closer to .470" like the 300 Savage. These cases are where I got my first measurements.
The Winchester cases I have in this same configuration have a base diameter of .46".
They all are head stamped for .35 Remington.

Thanks for your thoughts. Sounds like annealing is my first step, and slowwww resizing after that.

Ron

 

[rcmodel]

You might have to use a tapered punch to open them up enough to get the .35 expander ball started back in them???

rc

 

[stonecoldy]

I haven't checked with the .35 expander ball yet but was getting some thoughts about that skinnier neck, and what to do to get to the point of the bigger expander ball. I have a LEE Universal Expanding die and was going to look at that as a possibility, RCModel. Just need to investigate it.

What's a safe temperature range for annealing? I have an older oven that is a little unreliable on the dial setting for temperature, but have access to Type K thermocouples from work that are accurate within +/- 2 degrees Fahrenheit to check it and control it.

 

[rcmodel]

NO OVENS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That will ruin the cases for any further use by annealing the case-heads as soft as the necks.

What you want to do is.
1. Stand the cases up in a shallow pan of water about 1" deep.
2. Heat the neck a dull red in dim light with a propane torch.
3. Immediately tip each case over in the water when it reachs that point.

That softens the neck area only, without softening the case head.

rc

 

[stonecoldy]

RCmodel, thanks for the very important warning!
I should have thought about the entire cartridge, not just the neck, and what could happen.
I haven't tried the annealing process before and hadn't researched it yet.

Thanks for preventing me from cast my own "Darwin Award" vote.