.338 Norma Magnum improved H2O capacity gain

[FEENIX]

Mine is near completion, and I wondered what your case capacity gain was. This is not about whether it is worth the expense or time but contributes to the knowledge base for those considering a similar build. I have seen some awesome builds, some of which are proprietary designs. Below is the baseline sample I have as of now.

I started correspondence with @Mike D Texas on this matter, and hopefully, he will share his findings when he is done with his build. TIA.

Ed

 

[lancetkenyon]

I think I still have a virgin piece of .300NM Lapua brass, I can check what the gains were with virgin vs fire formed to .300NMI 33°. It is fairly significant.
I didn't use the hydraulic forming, so can't help you there.

 

[FEENIX]

I didn't use the hydraulic forming, so can't help you there.

That's OK; the result (fireformed off the chamber) is vital information. Thanks!

 

[Mike D Texas]

Mine is near completion, and I wondered what your case capacity gain was. This is not about whether it is worth the expense or time but contributes to the knowledge base for those considering a similar build. I have seen some awesome builds, some of which are proprietary designs. Below is the baseline sample I have as of now.

View attachment 442214

I started correspondence with @Mike D Texas on this matter, and hopefully, he will share his findings when he is done with his build. TIA.

Ed

Ed as you know I haven't gotten my barrel or reamer yet for my 338 Norma but here are some results with Peterson brass. Virgin, vs fired vs 1x fired and resized with a Micron die. If it matters my reamer is Alex Wheelers design and he has a 35° shoulder and he does keep some taper in the case.

For reference against your Lapua brass above, here is Virgin 338 NM Peterson.

 

[FEENIX]

Ed as you know I haven't gotten my barrel or reamer yet for my 338 Norma but here are some results with Peterson brass. Virgin, vs fired vs 1x fired and resized with a Micron die. If it matters my reamer is Alex Wheelers design and he has a 35° shoulder and he does keep some taper in the case.

View attachment 442288View attachment 442289View attachment 442290

For reference against your Lapua brass above, here is Virgin 338 NM Peterson.

View attachment 442291

Yep, but I also know you will share them here with others to help them in their decision-making process.

Ed

 

[FEENIX]

Mine is near completion, and I wondered what your case capacity gain was. This is not about whether it is worth the expense or time but contributes to the knowledge base for those considering a similar build. I have seen some awesome builds, some of which are proprietary designs. Below is the baseline sample I have as of now.

View attachment 442214

I started correspondence with @Mike D Texas on this matter, and hopefully, he will share his findings when he is done with his build. TIA.

Ed

 

[Mike D Texas]

My barrel blank is finished. Reamer is probably still a few weeks out.

I don't expect my BAT HR action until June at the earliest.

 

[FEENIX]

View attachment 444590

I finally made it to the range to perform fire-forming off the chamber/barrel break-in.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I finally made it to the range to perform fire-forming off the chamber/barrel break-in.

View attachment 448877

Nice. I don't think mine will have quite that much. I tried to keep the neck length the same as SAAMI.

 

[BAKPAKR]

That is a significant gain in capacity. I am looking forward to reading about your load development.