Resizing 308 to 300 Savage?

[dracphelan]

I'm looking at getting a Savage 99 in 300 Savage for my wife. The one problem is the cost of ammo. From what I've seen, even the brass can be a little on the high side. Can I take once-fired 308 brass and reform it for 300 Savage? If it is possible, what are the steps I would follow?

 

[ribbonstone]

Yes it is possible.

Use a .300 full lngth sizing die, stripped of the decapper assembly (so if one cumples inside the die you won't trap it).

Lube .308 cases...I'd use imperial Die Wax, but whatever you use b sure it is a THIN coat.

Set the die about 2 turns UP from touching the shell holder

Size all the cases

Redistribute the lube (dont add any, just move what's there around).

Screw the sizing die down 1 turn.

Size all the cases.

Redistribute the lube.

Screw the sizing die down that last turn.

Size all the cases.

Trim to .300 length and deburr.

Put the decapper/expander assembly back into the sizing die and run those cases theough the loading process.


Idea here is to use the top of the ram's stroke, where leverage is the best, and to avoid lube dents by keeping the lube from building up in pockets.

GI brass might be too thick at the neck; I used comercial .308 cases and had no trouble with neck thickenss or case volume.

 

[dracphelan]

Thanks

 

[DILLONHELP]

Just be aware that 300 Savage brass formed from 308 has a decreased volume over factory 300 Savage brass, and requires a slightly reduced load to avoid overpressure.
My experience was that formed 300 Savage brass was more trouble than it was worth, unless you were solely loading the formed cases. I already have a quantity of factory 300 Savage brass, so loading the formed cases separately was more of a hassle than I wanted.