Forming 300 Ackley

M

mshelton

Member
I'm having a 300 Ackley built and I'm trying to do some research on forming the brass from RWS 375 H&H. Some of the guys that have this chambering around here just use the Nosler 300 Wtby brass, I've had some bad experiences with Nosler in a few recent rifles and want to go the RWS route even though it means more work.

I've done some searches here and other sites and haven't come up with anything definitive and was hoping to get some input. I was planning on running the 375 through an 8mm full length die, anneal, then through an Ackley Wilson seater, anneal then finally through the fl Ackley die and neckturn. Trim if necessary, fire form the cases with either reduced loads or cream of wheat then finish neck turn. Anything else I should keep in mind?

thanks
 
Use 340 Weatherby Norma Brass its thicker and should be what you are looking for. I use it for the 308 Baer works great!

Joe salt
 
Yes the Norma brass has always been my choice! I believe Norma makes weatherby brass, but you are going to have to try both and see which one last longer. Have a buddy that prefers the weatherby. I think it will all work but which one will last.

Joe Salt
 
Joe Salt said:
Yes the Norma brass has always been my choice! I believe Norma makes weatherby brass, but you are going to have to try both and see which one last longer. Have a buddy that prefers the weatherby. I think it will all work but which one will last.

Joe Salt
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Sorry for all the questions but are you using the 340 over the 300 for the additional length?

I've formed 25-06 ai before and if you do it out of reg 25-06 brass it will draw up .015ish and the case will be shortened when you form, if I use 270 I can trim it longer and it will form to a better length. Just wondering if that is your reason for going with the 340.
 
No the reason I use 340 brass is wall thickness. But yes when its formed it all seems to get shorter.

Joe Salt
 
M

I think most Ackley's are fireformed with 3/4's load or more rather than a reduced load.

Hal
 
Joe Salt said:
No the reason I use 340 brass is wall thickness. But yes when its formed it all seems to get shorter.

Joe Salt
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I'm wondering how close that'll be to the RWS capacity then, I know it's a considerable amount less than brass formed from the 300wtby.
 
I know RWS brass is good brass also, so if I were you I'd try both and see which one works best for you!

Joe Salt
 
My local shooting friend uses 375 brass made by RWS and he asked me to post you this
.
Michael
You can run your 375 brass through your 300 Ackley full length die without any problems but to make perfect brass you only partially size the neck creating a false shoulder. You want the false shoulder set so the bolt is very hard to close so that it firmly holds the casehead against the bolts face. Prime the brass add 16 grains of Red Dot Unique or 700X then fill until overflowing with cream of wheat. Tap the side of the brass with the same spoon used to fill the case to settle the cream of wheat to the neck/shoulder junction and add a single sheet of toilet paper to retain the cream of wheat. A small screwdriver works well for this step.
Now put a very thin coat of Imperial Sizing Die Wax on the outside surface of the brass using your thumb and forefinger and fireform the rounds. When your done the brass will be as good as its going to get but there is one more step that is very important. You must run a paperclip or similar object around the neck/shoulder junction as cream of wheat will get pressed into that area and it wont allow you to use your regular load without causing pressure issues.
RWS brass weighs about 298 grains while 300 Weatherby weighs about 220 grains so start 4 grains lower when using RWS brass.
You can use 300 H-H brass 300 Weatherby 340 Weatherby 8mm Magnum or 375 H-H brass they all work. The RWS brass is of a better quality and is very heavy reducing the problem of loose primer pockets common to Norma brass.

John
 
OldManRiver said:
My local shooting friend uses 375 brass made by RWS and he asked me to post you this
.
Michael
You can run your 375 brass through your 300 Ackley full length die without any problems but to make perfect brass you only partially size the neck creating a false shoulder. You want the false shoulder set so the bolt is very hard to close so that it firmly holds the casehead against the bolts face. Prime the brass add 16 grains of Red Dot Unique or 700X then fill until overflowing with cream of wheat. Tap the side of the brass with the same spoon used to fill the case to settle the cream of wheat to the neck/shoulder junction and add a single sheet of toilet paper to retain the cream of wheat. A small screwdriver works well for this step.
Now put a very thin coat of Imperial Sizing Die Wax on the outside surface of the brass using your thumb and forefinger and fireform the rounds. When your done the brass will be as good as its going to get but there is one more step that is very important. You must run a paperclip or similar object around the neck/shoulder junction as cream of wheat will get pressed into that area and it wont allow you to use your regular load without causing pressure issues.
RWS brass weighs about 298 grains while 300 Weatherby weighs about 220 grains so start 4 grains lower when using RWS brass.
You can use 300 H-H brass 300 Weatherby 340 Weatherby 8mm Magnum or 375 H-H brass they all work. The RWS brass is of a better quality and is very heavy reducing the problem of loose primer pockets common to Norma brass.

John
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Thanks John, good information there, tell your friend I appreciate it, guess I have one question for him.

With the slightly reduced loads using the RWS brass, did he notice any real velocity loss? I only ask because this will be a hunting gun, thanks.
 
Michael
The velocity will remain the same even though you will be burning less powder because the cases internal volume is slightly less. You didn't mention a bullet weight but the 210's will like 75-77 grains of RE25.

John
 
OldManRiver said:
Michael
The velocity will remain the same even though you will be burning less powder because the cases internal volume is slightly less. You didn't mention a bullet weight but the 210's will like 75-77 grains of RE25.

John
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Thanks again John, the 210s are what I'm looking at using, either the 208 Amax, 210 Berger or 210 Long Range Accubond, depending on what it likes, got a jug of RE25 waiting too.

Now, just waiting on the barrel, hoping to have it in time for next hunting season.
 
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