Understanding the Foundation
The 300 Savage. The name itself evokes a sense of history, a whisper of classic American hunting rifles and the bygone era of steel and wood. This cartridge, developed in the early twentieth century, carved its place in shooting history with its flat trajectory and impressive performance, particularly in the popular Savage Model 99 lever-action rifle. Yet, today, finding readily available brass for the 300 Savage can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. New brass can be expensive, and the search for quality can be frustrating.
Thankfully, there’s a practical and cost-effective solution: forming 300 Savage brass from the ubiquitous and affordable 308 Winchester. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from gathering your materials to creating reloadable 300 Savage brass from 308 casings, allowing you to keep your classic rifles fed without breaking the bank or spending countless hours searching.
The 300 Savage Cartridge
The 300 Savage cartridge, as mentioned before, is a piece of shooting history. Developed to bridge the gap between the existing cartridges of the era, it quickly became popular among hunters and target shooters alike. It’s a cartridge that’s been praised for its accuracy, its ability to deliver sufficient energy to take down medium-sized game, and its generally manageable recoil. Its legacy remains strong, and the rifles chambered for this round continue to be cherished possessions.
The 308 Winchester Cartridge
The 308 Winchester, on the other hand, represents modern rifle ammunition and a level of abundance. It’s one of the most popular rifle cartridges in the world, employed by military forces, hunters, and target shooters globally. Its popularity means one thing: readily available brass.
Key Differences
The key differences between these two cartridges are crucial to understand. While both share a .308-inch bullet diameter, their dimensions vary slightly. The 300 Savage case has a shorter overall length and a slightly steeper shoulder angle than the 308 Winchester. These seemingly small differences are the essence of the brass-forming process. Modifying the 308 to fit the 300 Savage specifications is the key to success.
Safety First
Before embarking on any reloading project, safety must be paramount. Always wear appropriate safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris. Gloves can also be worn to protect your hands. Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes from lubricants or cleaning solutions. Most importantly, follow all instructions precisely, and never exceed the recommended reloading data from reputable sources such as reloading manuals.
The process of forming brass can stress the metal. Careless techniques can lead to split cases, or other problems. Always inspect your brass carefully for any signs of damage throughout the process. Discard any casings that exhibit cracks, bulges, or other imperfections.
Gathering the Necessities
To successfully form 300 Savage brass from 308 Winchester cases, you’ll need several key pieces of equipment. The investment upfront may seem significant, but the long-term savings and satisfaction of reloading your own ammunition make it worthwhile.
- 308 Winchester Brass Casings: The foundation of the project. You can use new or once-fired brass. New brass is typically more consistent, but once-fired brass can be reloaded many times. Regardless, inspect the brass carefully. Look for any irregularities before starting the process.
- 300 Savage Sizing Die: The heart of the operation. This die is designed to resize the case and form it to the specific dimensions of the 300 Savage. You can purchase a full-length sizing die or a neck-sizing die, but a full-length die is recommended for this process, as it’s better for altering the case dimensions significantly.
- Reloading Press: A sturdy reloading press is essential for seating primers, resizing cases, and seating bullets. A single-stage press is typically sufficient for forming brass, but a progressive press can speed up the reloading process.
- Shell Holder: The shell holder holds the cartridge case during resizing, priming, and seating. Ensure you have a shell holder that fits the 308 Winchester case. This is vital for the proper operation of the sizing die.
- Case Lubricant: Case lubricant is crucial to prevent the brass from sticking in the sizing die. This lubricant will reduce the friction between the brass and the die, making the process smoother and safer. Choose a lubricant designed for reloading. Consider a spray lubricant for ease of use or a paste-style lubricant for more direct application.
- Case Trimmer: You will need to trim the cases to the correct overall length for the 300 Savage. A quality case trimmer will make this task much easier and more precise.
- Calipers or Case-Measuring Tool: Precision is essential for reloading. Calipers are necessary for measuring case length, overall cartridge length, and other critical dimensions.
- Case Mouth Chamfering Tool: After trimming, the case mouth needs to be chamfered and deburred to allow for easy bullet seating. These tools will smooth the mouth, making reloading easier.
- Case Neck Turning Tool (Optional): For increased consistency and accuracy, neck turning can be beneficial. This tool removes excess brass from the neck of the case, ensuring uniform neck wall thickness. This can lead to more consistent bullet release and improved accuracy.
The Brass Transformation
With all the necessary tools and materials gathered, you’re ready to begin transforming 308 Winchester brass into 300 Savage brass.
Cleaning the 308 Brass
The first step is to clean the 308 brass. Tumbling the brass in a case tumbler with a suitable cleaning media will remove any dirt, grime, and old lubricant. Clean brass is essential for proper resizing and to prevent the buildup of abrasive particles. You can also clean by hand, but a tumbler will greatly reduce the amount of time needed.
Application of Lubricant
Lubricate the outside of the 308 case with a suitable case lubricant. Apply a thin, even coating to the case body, ensuring complete coverage. This is vital to prevent the case from sticking in the sizing die. Over-lubrication can lead to dents in the case, so apply it carefully.
Resizing the Brass
Carefully thread the 300 Savage full-length sizing die into your reloading press. Adjust the die according to the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the case is fully resized. This is a slow and controlled process. Start by slowly raising the ram of the press and inserting a lubricated 308 case into the shell holder. Then slowly raise the case into the die. You should feel slight resistance. Raise the case to the top of the die’s stroke. You should feel the brass being formed. Lower the case and remove it.
Trimming to the Correct Length
The formed cases will now need to be trimmed to the correct 300 Savage case length. Use your case trimmer to trim the cases to the specifications. The precise case length should be in your reloading manual. Regular measurements are crucial, so use calipers during this process.
Chamfering and Deburring
Following trimming, use your case mouth chamfering and deburring tool to smooth the edges of the case mouth. This process creates a slight bevel on the inside and outside of the case mouth, making it easier to seat the bullet.
Final Inspection
Once you’ve completed all the steps, inspect the cases carefully. Look for any signs of damage, such as cracks, dents, or bulges. Discard any cases that appear to be damaged. At this point the cases are now 300 Savage cases.
Considering Reloading Data
Once the 308 cases are successfully formed into 300 Savage cases, you’re ready for the reloading process. This is where you load your bullets, powder, and primers. It’s important to reiterate that you must consult a reputable reloading manual, such as those published by Speer, Hornady, or Sierra. Never begin loading without reliable data.
Powder Selection
Various powders are suitable for the 300 Savage. Common choices include IMR 4064, Reloder 15, and Varget. Choose a powder that falls within the recommended burn rate range for the cartridge.
Bullet Selection
Select bullets that are appropriate for the intended use of your rifle. For hunting, consider using bullets designed for medium-sized game. For target shooting, match-grade bullets may be ideal. Consult your reloading manual for a suitable selection of bullets.
Primer Selection
Use the correct primer type. Reloading manuals will provide recommendations.
Loading and Work-Up
Following the reloading manual, start with the minimum recommended powder charge and work up in small increments. Be vigilant for signs of excessive pressure, such as flattened primers or stiff bolt lift. Never exceed the maximum recommended load.
Troubleshooting Potential Issues
Even with careful execution, you might encounter a few common challenges when forming brass. Understanding how to address these issues can save time and prevent frustration.
Case Splitting
Case splitting can be a sign of several issues. Overworking the brass during the forming process, such as sizing too aggressively, can cause it. Brass that is not properly annealed (a heat treatment to soften the brass) might be too brittle. Improper lubrication during the sizing process can lead to excessive stress on the case. Always inspect the brass for cracks during the process. Consider annealing the brass periodically.
Difficulty Chambering
If you experience difficulty chambering a loaded round, it could be due to several factors. The case may be sized improperly, or the case may not be trimmed to the correct length. Examine the cases and make adjustments as needed.
Other Problems
Other potential issues, such as excessive case neck tension, can also arise. These problems are usually the result of improper die adjustment or incorrect reloading techniques. Refer to your reloading manual for guidance.
Final Thoughts
Forming 300 Savage brass from 308 Winchester cases is a rewarding endeavor that allows you to continue using your beloved rifles. The process requires attention to detail, proper equipment, and strict adherence to safety precautions. However, the cost savings, the satisfaction of creating your own ammunition, and the ability to keep your classic rifles functional make it a worthwhile undertaking. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully form reliable and accurate 300 Savage brass from 308 casings.
Consider that you can test multiple recipes. Form a batch of brass and record the number of times you reload. Reloading is a journey of discovery. With each stage, you’ll develop expertise and learn more about your rifle and the science of ballistics.
Resources
- Reloading manuals (e.g., Speer, Hornady, Sierra)
- Local gun stores
- Online reloading supply retailers
