Reloading the .30 Ackley #1 Short Mag.

[MW3840]

Has anyone out there formed .30 Ackley #1 Short Mag. out of anything other than from .300 H&H Mag. brass?

Curious, as I don't want to have to spring for a form die that's over $100.

I used 7mm Mag. brass which I first ran through the .30 ackley sizing die, fire formed, than loaded with Nosler 180 gr. Partitions, but accuracy was a dismal 9" group at 100 yds. and 50% of the shoulders split after the 1st loading.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[iiranger]

Well, o.k. ...

When Mr. Ackley was young and starting out, around 1930, there was still a great interest in black powder guns, etc. The new "smokeless" arms had not been "rung out." The full length magnums went into the 1917 actions (or 1914) inspiring Mr. Weatherby and for the Springfield and Mausers the shortened magnums were developed. Point is real simple, since then tons of factory "short magnums" have been "born." 7 Remington Magnum is so close to the .264 WCF Magnum... (.338 WCF and .458 Maggies too.)

II). If your gun is custom and well made, then the case headspaces on the belt (per Mr. A, factory guns are not done this way, headspace is on shoulder like the unbelted/rimless). SO you can do a lot of annealing, neck and into the shoulder safely. Carefully please. GREAT CARE.

I admit it. I am CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. I would hit the "once fired brass" sources looking for any belted magnum cases. .308 Norma? (Designed around the Springfield length.) .300 Winchester had the shoulder moved forward a bit. Setting it back might be work. Well annealed, 7 Remmie or .264 WCF should blow out just fine. 7mm x 64 mm Sharp and Hart?

Obviously, if you neck down a .338 then the neck gets thicker. Equally if you "blow out" a 7mm or .264 the neck gets slightly thinner. You have a custom gun and have to find its "likes." The $100.00 die is a short cut. You don't want to, do a bit of fiddling and you may not have to. Luck. Happy trails.

 

[MW3840]

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