So I have heard that it is a relatively easy process to resize 30/06 brass to 8mm. So does anyone have experinece doing this, any tips, suggestions? Do I just run a once fired case through the 8mm sizer, trim to length, and good to go?
resizing 30-06 brass to 8mm
- Thread starter akolleth
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GooseGestapo
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Not as easy as you might have been led to belive.
Moving back the shoulder requires proper lubrication (too much leads to dents in the shoulder, too little sticks the case in the die and can be a real pain to remove).
Then, you'll have to trim the cases to length, almost a 1/3"..... 63mm to 57mm (25mm to the inch- approx.). I say more, because most OFB .30/06 tend to run long.....Mot require trimming even to reload to .30/06.
Also, expect as much as 10% loss to deformed/damaged brass.
Not too bad if you're only doing 20 or so, but a major job if doing 100+.
I'd suggest just buying some new 8mm brass....... Price isn't to bad considering what you get....
Moving back the shoulder requires proper lubrication (too much leads to dents in the shoulder, too little sticks the case in the die and can be a real pain to remove).
Then, you'll have to trim the cases to length, almost a 1/3"..... 63mm to 57mm (25mm to the inch- approx.). I say more, because most OFB .30/06 tend to run long.....Mot require trimming even to reload to .30/06.
Also, expect as much as 10% loss to deformed/damaged brass.
Not too bad if you're only doing 20 or so, but a major job if doing 100+.
I'd suggest just buying some new 8mm brass....... Price isn't to bad considering what you get....
I've done it, I wouldn't do it again unless I really had to. I trimmed the brass way down as '06 is much longer than 8mm. Trim brass, resize, trim again. As far as conversions go, it's pretty simple, but you really have to trim a lot off the '06 to get it down to a usable length.
aka108
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I've formed quite a few 30-06 and 8 mm cases into 7.65 Argentine with good results.
highlander 5
Member
A file and trim die help here. Run 30'06 thru die cut off excess with hack saw or sawsall use bastard file to clean up. Annd don't worry about hurting the die they are very hard to mar
Made 7x57 cases from 30'06 and reformed 45/70 to 40/65 Win
on more than one occassion
Made 7x57 cases from 30'06 and reformed 45/70 to 40/65 Win
on more than one occassion
You didn't indicate what cartidge you are trying to change to, only 8mm caliber. If it is 8mm-06, no problem, in fact that's the only realistic way to get 8mm-06 brass. If you are talking about the much shorter 8x57 (8mm Mauser), then you will be moving the "new" neck to what was the case body, and because you reduced the size considerably in this new neck area, it is almost a necessity that you turn the necks, otherwise they will be too thick, causing a lot of resistance when the bullet tries to make it's exit. This will result in big-time preasure! As to the forming process, if you use Imperial Sizing Wax, you should have no problem. I once made a bunch of .300 Savage brass out of '06 (.300 Sav brass wasn't available for a while). This was a bigger alteration of the brass than going to 8x57, and I had zero failures. But you must turn the necks, or you could create a real problem.
Pumpkinheaver
Member
Pull the expader out of the die, lubricate well and run them through the 8mm sizing die. Trim them to length and your good to go. Some people trim some off before sizing but I dont. Make sure your press is firmly bolted to your bench, you'll be putting a lot of pressure on your press handle.
I've done it after reading a "Shooting Times" artical by Layne Simpson about 8MM Mauser. It was not very hard at all. As Pumpkin says remove the expander and run the well lubed cast through the die, cut off the excess, I used a small tubing cutter for this as in plumbing I cut just aproximate, put the expander back in and run the case through again, I then trimmed with a Lee trimmer and chamfered inside and outside. I have plenty of 8MM brass but I thought that forming the uncommon brass from very common brass, was a very cool experiment. To me it was like taking my reloading hobbie to the next level, if you have the time give it a try.
Blackfork
Member
You know, they MAKE that brass...
8mm. 7.65. Good companies. I'm shooting Norma and Lapua brass in my Argentines and 7X57s. As long as I keep 50 pieces around I feel like I have enough.
Lots of 8mm brass around as well as 30-06. Cheap.
Just an aside: heard a rumor that the AMU is using Lapua Brass seeing how it shoots at 600 yards.
8mm. 7.65. Good companies. I'm shooting Norma and Lapua brass in my Argentines and 7X57s. As long as I keep 50 pieces around I feel like I have enough.
Lots of 8mm brass around as well as 30-06. Cheap.
Just an aside: heard a rumor that the AMU is using Lapua Brass seeing how it shoots at 600 yards.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Over the long haul, a much better solution is to have a gunsmith run a .30-06 reamer into your chamber. Then you have one of the best wildcats going -- the 8mm-06.
Now all you have to do is expand the necks of your .30-06 brass.
Now all you have to do is expand the necks of your .30-06 brass.
280shooter
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i have both 30-06 and 8mm,,
I have to say just break down and buy new unused 8mm brass,i did some forming,and if brass was avalible i would have just bought it,forming is just a pain, stuck cases,screaming and yelling at the dies. its just not worth it.new keeps the blood pressure way down too.. so its healthy buying new brass,,,,IMO
I have to say just break down and buy new unused 8mm brass,i did some forming,and if brass was avalible i would have just bought it,forming is just a pain, stuck cases,screaming and yelling at the dies. its just not worth it.new keeps the blood pressure way down too.. so its healthy buying new brass,,,,IMO
David Wile
Member
Hey folks,
Forty years ago when I had an excess of 30-06 military brass and a shortage of money, I made 8MM brass out of the 30-06. It wasn't difficult, and I did not lose any brass to "deformed or damaged" in the process. I only did about three or four boxes, and I don't remember having to turn the case necks for thickness. After resizing and then trimming the length, I made squib loads with cast bullets to fire form them.
Everything worked well, but when I think of it today, I wouldn't go to the trouble again. I would simply buy new 8MM ammo, shoot it, and reload it. I don't know if its because I've gotten less cheap as I got older or more lazy as I got older.
In any case, the only case forming I would do today is to make brass for a caliber that is no longer made. The last time I did that, it was to make 40-60 cases out of 45-70 brass.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
Forty years ago when I had an excess of 30-06 military brass and a shortage of money, I made 8MM brass out of the 30-06. It wasn't difficult, and I did not lose any brass to "deformed or damaged" in the process. I only did about three or four boxes, and I don't remember having to turn the case necks for thickness. After resizing and then trimming the length, I made squib loads with cast bullets to fire form them.
Everything worked well, but when I think of it today, I wouldn't go to the trouble again. I would simply buy new 8MM ammo, shoot it, and reload it. I don't know if its because I've gotten less cheap as I got older or more lazy as I got older.
In any case, the only case forming I would do today is to make brass for a caliber that is no longer made. The last time I did that, it was to make 40-60 cases out of 45-70 brass.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
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