reloading belted magnums?

[Eric F]

Are there any special considerations or "other" steps required for belted magnum rounds? I am looking at a rem. 350 mag bolt gun soon. If not than then old reliable 7mm mag.

 

[loadedround]

I have loaded the various belted magnums for many years(7mm RM, 300 WM and 338 WM) and was the first kid on my block to have a 7mm STW when it came out as a wildcat. From my experience, I can say that the belted magnums are basically no different than other bottleneck rifle cases. I would watch case length and trim when it's necsssary, work up max loads carefully and segregate cases by make and rifle. I have found that in some of my rifles I can usually neck size instead of full lengh sizing, but that may not be too smart for hunting ammo. Majority of my magnums are Ruger 1's, and neck sizing works fine for them. Good shooting.

 

[rcmodel]

Plan to headspace off the shoulder and not off the belt if you want long case life.

I am not aware if any of the new sizing dies are made to headspace on the belt, but I doubt it.

Way old dies may push the shoulder back too far if adjusted all the way down against the shell holder.

rc

 

[Savage99]

Eric F,

The problem that can occur with FL sizing a belted magnum that has a shoulder is that if the FL die is just set on the shell holder it will push the expanded cartridge shoulder back far.

Such repeated oversizing will cause early head separations at the expansion web. Set your FL die to just have the shoulder fit the rifles chamber.

Also remember to make a feeler wire with a piece of coat hanger wire or similar wire with a tiny hook bent on it. Feel inside every case at the expansion web for severe thinning.

 

[10 Spot Terminator]

There is a recently developed sizing die for belted magnum cases that has tamed the case resizing issue for belted cases. It is called "the belted magnum collet resizing die" and is built by Innovative Technologies . You can get their website by going to www.larrywillis.com and see what they offer and read in depth reviews . I have spoken to only 2 avid magnum reloaders who have used this die and they literally RAVE about it . The nice thing is this one die sizes to the belts on all but a small select few Weatherby cases with just one die . Check it out guys ,,,,

 

[moooose102]

i reload for a 300 win mag, and my brothers 300 H&H mag. i neck size only on both of them. the cases last longer doing that. my 300 win mag was so bad (3 loads and the neck would split) i started anealling at every reload! (winchester brass) if i wasnt so cheap, (or if i shot competitivly) i would try a batch of norma or nosler, but man are they expensive! mostly i target (plink) with it, so i do not want to spend 135 bucks for a bag of brass.

 

[Grumulkin]

There is a recently developed sizing die for belted magnum cases that has tamed the case resizing issue for belted cases. It is called "the belted magnum collet resizing die" and is built by Innovative Technologies.

I've had one of these dies for a couple of years now and thus far have not been in a situation to need it despite loading for several belted magnums. In my opinion, it's the solution to a problem that hardly ever exists.

 

[Eric F]

well thanks for the info folks I ordered my 350 rem mag today will have it by mid week not going with glass at first I still have an old aimpoint comp m I will run for a while.