30-338 down from 338

[Lion]

Is it necessary or preferable to initially full length size down to 30-338 or simlpy neck size then fire form.

Is there a significant advantage to using a trim die when forming 30-338 from 338 for hunting rounds.

Is there a significant difference between RCBS group D dies and bushing type dies for hunting rounds? Especially considering the prices.

Do body dies require a subsequent neck expansion before a bullet can be seated? In which case how is this different from a full length size die? More specifically, for general shooting is a periodic full length size effective at keeping cases chambering and extracting smoothly?

 

[loadedround]

Lion: I had a custom '03 Springfield in 30-338 many years ago and if my memory serves me correctly all I did was run my cases thru a FL 30-338 sizing die and chamfer the case mouths and proceed to load them. Most reloaders usually just use FL sizing dies and FL size each time they reload. The more experienced reloaders back off the sizing dies to neck size only(yes, this can be done , read the instructions that came with your dies). This procedure will only work if you are loading for only one rifle of the same caliber. There are several rifles that I use neck sizing dies only, and I full length resize only afer case trimming to reset the neck on bottle necked cases. Hope this information helps you and btw welcome to the Forum.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Depends on your dies and whether you are using new unfired .338brass, or if you are using fired brass.

I've done some similar reforming of 7mm and 8mmx57 brass to .257Roberts.

The 7mm after running through a 7mm die worked easily, as I would suspect that with the .338mag brass if previously "reduced" in a .338 die.

The above mentioned 8x57 brass gave real headaches if not first sized in the 7mm die, and then run through the .257" die.

I have "experimented" with running some .338/06 brass that was formed from some of my "ancient" stash of Norma .30/06 brass that I tried to see if it would "tighten" up the groups of the .338 like it did the .30/06 (it did!).

I then decided if I could "take it back" to .30/06. After first running it back through the .338 die, and then the .30/06 die, I could. But, I collapsed some that I did't resize first.

It may also depend on the thickness and hardness of the "parent" brass that you are working with.

I found this out making some 7mm-08 brass from some "match" .308 brass.