30-06 case to 308

[Robert101]

With the current shortage in reloading components I resized about 50 Winchester 30-06 cases to 308 in my Lee full length sizing die. They were resized, de-burred, and trimmed.

Question is, “Will these resized cases perform the same (and handle the pressure) similar to Lake City, Hornady, RP, or any of the other name brands of 308 brass cases?” My concerns are really based around the SAAMI pressure ratings of 62,000 psi for 308 Winchester, and 60,200 psi for the 30-06 Springfield. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[LNK]

I would say they are fine. The case isn't what takes the pressure, it is the chamber and bolt. 30-06 cases are constructed the same way as 308 cases. Just load below max and work up, looking for flattened primers etc. Remember that making brass smaller also makes it thicker, so case capacity is probably less than a .308 case has. Also make sure the necks are turned as they will be very thick, might exceed dimension when loaded.

LNK

 

[Robert101]

I will treat them as though they were thicker NATO brass for initial testing. Thanks for the reply.

 

[maxyedor]

How much more 30-06 brass do you have? I have thousands and thousands of .308/7.62x51 both commercial and military that I'll trade for 30-06 as long as it's enough to make shipping worth it.

 

[Robert101]

Max, sorry that's all I had. I'd love to have more 308, but prices are too high these days.

 

[cfullgraf]

With the current shortage in reloading components I resized about 50 Winchester 30-06 cases to 308 in my Lee full length sizing die. They were resized, de-burred, and trimmed.

You may need to ream the neck of the cases. Shortening the 30-06 cases may have gotten into an area where the case wall is thicker than the case wall of the neck area of a 308 Winchester case.

Worth checking to make sure.

 

[Robert101]

Yea, it might be worthwhile to insert a bullet into the case and check in the chamber - sort of a "plunk" test.

 

[243winxb]

Maximum neck diameter of a loaded round of 308 win. is .3435" http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Rifle/308%20Winchester.pdf

 

[Walkalong]

As posted, check to make sure a loaded round is not too thick at the neck (Very important), and check the case weight against what you were loading. As always, start low and work up.