Author Topic: 300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?  (Read 728 times)

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Offline Sweet 6.5

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300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?
« on: September 05, 2010, 09:36:37 AM »
Hi.

I just bought a second hand 300 Winmag and is about to start reloading for the rifle. I saw this comment
in one of the other topics :

"The belted magnums have a headspace problem in that they stretch the expansion web on the first shot
unless brass is made up for that chamber."

I now have two questions about this:
1. Is this really a problem (to be answered by 300 Winmag owners and not people that hate this fine
    cartridge because they can't handle the recoil   ;D)
2. Can I overcome this but just neck sizing the cases once I have fired the new
cases in my rifle?

Waiting in anticipation....
Sweet 6.5

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2010, 03:39:48 PM »
Geeeze Sweets!  I woulda thought people would have answered by now...  ???
Oh well, you already have my opinion, what more do you need!?   :D
Richard
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Offline xhare

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Re: 300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2010, 05:28:24 PM »
I dont own a 300 mag, but I dont hate them.  They are just more than I need for KY deer. 

All I can forward is what I have read.  Basically, factory ammo is designed to headspace on the belt, not on the shoulder.  This is what leads to the stretching.  No doubt there has been some variation in factory chambers over the years as well creating more problems in some rifles than others.  Handloaders can fire reduced loads to fireform the brass to the chamber and minimize stretch, then neck size or adjust the resizing die to minimize the amount the fired case is resized.  I think standard dies will return brass to factory like specs if full length resizing is done. 

My personal experience with these issues comes from reloading my 303 British.  It headspaces on the rim, but the military chamber is overly large so it could handle dirt, crud, and corrosion.  So there is lots of stretch.  Unfired and fired cases are noticeably different in the shoulder.

I wish I could remember the issue, but several years ago Handloader Magazine did a really nice article on the 300 mag outlining these issues. 

Offline nomosendero

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Re: 300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2010, 07:42:39 PM »
Like AtlLaw said, I thought it was handled. xhare describrd it pretty well. And BTW, 300 mag has nothing to do with it, it is belted mag in general & chambers can and often are a little slopy from the factory in std. &
mag calibers as well, the difference is where the stretch takes place in the case of the Belted mag, in front of the belt.

But I have NEVER owned a factory belted mag that gave me a problem with factory ammo, I could just shoot it & reload. But if you full length resize every time the case life can suffer. It is best to gve the shoulder a minor bump (experiment with what you chamber needs), thus headspacing on the shoulder. I neck size & after 2-3 firings doing so I will give the minor bump if needed. Nothing complicated at all, just headspace on the shoulder & don't overwork the case. If you do this, it is not that much different than other cases, just leave the belt out of the equation.

The above will serve you fine & you can read more in reloading manuals that explain it better than this, but if you want to get complicated & look at more detailed options, I will give you 2.

1. Special die to size ahead of the belt. One die will do all H&H dia. cases. www.larrywillis.com
Scroll down to Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die.

2. Special method which will also help to make loads very accurate, this is with your new brass only.
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition?ST_beltedcasebull_201007/index.html  
Click on page 2 for the article, belted case blues.

The last 2 are for serious volume shooters & those who like to tinker, the first for the more typical magnum shooter/hunter. Merely giving someone the time, or showing them how to build a watch, your choice.

 
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Offline Sweet 6.5

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Re: 300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2010, 08:36:07 PM »
But I have NEVER owned a factory belted mag that gave me a problem with factory ammo, I could just shoot it & reload. But if you full length resize every time the case life can suffer. It is best to gve the shoulder a minor bump (experiment with what you chamber needs), thus headspacing on the shoulder. I neck size & after 2-3 firings doing so I will give the minor bump if needed. Nothing complicated at all, just headspace on the shoulder & don't overwork the case. If you do this, it is not that much different than other cases, just leave the belt out of the equation.

Thank you very much - that was what I was looking for.
My rifle enjoys factory ammo, so I think that part is not a problem, so I
will just reload as above.   

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2010, 06:49:03 AM »
I thought it was handled.

My fault Nomo,  :-[  Sweets and I were PM'ing about his question and I suggested he post it here.  What he asked me was:

Does head space on the shoulder mean that I just have to only neck size the cases after I have fired them the first time?

And since I have only loaded for one belted mag and I have never just neck sized a case in my life - I mostly partially size with full length sizing dies - I wanted to defer to persons with more experience.  I was kinda hopeing you would respond.   ;)

I gave him my opinion based on what I think but wanted someone to confirm it with their experience.  You did!   :D
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
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Offline nomosendero

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Re: 300 Winmag Headspace - a problem?
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2010, 07:17:54 AM »
No problem.
You will not make peace with the Bluecoats, you are free to go.