ELR Researcher
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2009
- Messages
- 1,516
I recently received an inquiry from an acquaintance in the UK about the current absence of 375 and 408 CT brass from the Captech/Jamison catalog (online offerings). In confirming the absence of those cases, I noted a semi-substitute, the 505 Gibbs "Basic", with a description, "This is a basic case for forming into various wildcat and other cartridge cases. The .505 Gibbs Basic can be formed into: .338 Xtreme, .408 CheyTac, .505 Rimless NE, .338 Allen Magnum, among other similar cases." - see Captech International
My acquaintance was concern about the appropriateness of the "Basic" for the CT application since the online specs for the 505 Gibbs "Basic" and the 505 Gibbs (African hunter "version") are identical. [The CT case has had a thicker wall and higher level hardening in the base area since from the beginning - when the original Cheytac crew developed it.]
I contacted Captech and spoke with the gentleman that came over from Jamison, their Production Manager, Chris Freeman. I inquired about both the absence of the 375 and 408 CT brass offerings and the appropriateness of the "Basic" to support CT pressure levels.
I was advised that the shortage of their CT brass offerings is "TEMPORARY". They are concentrating on refilling inventory levels of products that have much higher demand/turnover.When asked, "When will you be back in production of the CT offerings?", I was told that, based on current production schedules to replenish other cartridges, the CTs should be back in late '15.
In regard the appropriateness of the "Basic" for CT and CT-based applications, I was advised that the current 505 Gibbs offering (African hunter cartridge version) was actually developed FROM, and is being produced using, the CT specs. So...long story shortened, yes, CT pressure levels are supported in the "Basic" offering.BTW, since there is no pic of the "Basic" offering, I was told that it is straight wall (no shoulder), rim trimmed to the CT dimensions, and has NO head stamp.
I then called I. Q. Metals (the primary source in the US of Bertram 375 and 408 CT brass, as marketed by HSM and used in their CT ammo offerings) and asked about their expectations in regards availability of their CT offerings (375 and 408). They advised that supply is currently good with more on the way.I also asked about what they list as, "375 CheyTac Brass - Malformed".This is brass, noted at about 20K pieces, where the shoulder area does not meet spec and requires fire forming.That noted, the price differential is huge, $40.60/20 vs $55.16/20.Very tempting.
My acquaintance was concern about the appropriateness of the "Basic" for the CT application since the online specs for the 505 Gibbs "Basic" and the 505 Gibbs (African hunter "version") are identical. [The CT case has had a thicker wall and higher level hardening in the base area since from the beginning - when the original Cheytac crew developed it.]
I contacted Captech and spoke with the gentleman that came over from Jamison, their Production Manager, Chris Freeman. I inquired about both the absence of the 375 and 408 CT brass offerings and the appropriateness of the "Basic" to support CT pressure levels.
I was advised that the shortage of their CT brass offerings is "TEMPORARY". They are concentrating on refilling inventory levels of products that have much higher demand/turnover.When asked, "When will you be back in production of the CT offerings?", I was told that, based on current production schedules to replenish other cartridges, the CTs should be back in late '15.
In regard the appropriateness of the "Basic" for CT and CT-based applications, I was advised that the current 505 Gibbs offering (African hunter cartridge version) was actually developed FROM, and is being produced using, the CT specs. So...long story shortened, yes, CT pressure levels are supported in the "Basic" offering.BTW, since there is no pic of the "Basic" offering, I was told that it is straight wall (no shoulder), rim trimmed to the CT dimensions, and has NO head stamp.
I then called I. Q. Metals (the primary source in the US of Bertram 375 and 408 CT brass, as marketed by HSM and used in their CT ammo offerings) and asked about their expectations in regards availability of their CT offerings (375 and 408). They advised that supply is currently good with more on the way.I also asked about what they list as, "375 CheyTac Brass - Malformed".This is brass, noted at about 20K pieces, where the shoulder area does not meet spec and requires fire forming.That noted, the price differential is huge, $40.60/20 vs $55.16/20.Very tempting.
