6.8 western from 7 SAUM brass

I used 52 gr of IMR4350 with 150 gr bullet. It's the very low end of the load data. I had the same thought you did, so I loaded one at 53 and one at 54 but I can't get them to fire even with the extractor pin removed and the bullet getting jammed into the lands when closing the bolt
checked Hodgen load data and you are spot on with powder charges. if bullet is jammed and the case is held tight to bolt face there is no reason not to fire unless there is a powder or primer problem. if you have fired any other ammo without issue that eliminates the gun. pull down the ones that didn't fire and inspect primer and powder, check if primer fired and didn't ignite powder or if powder is clumpy. if possible try some factory ammo just to totally eliminate a gun problem. these can be the most annoying type of problems.
 
checked Hodgen load data and you are spot on with powder charges. if bullet is jammed and the case is held tight to bolt face there is no reason not to fire unless there is a powder or primer problem. if you have fired any other ammo without issue that eliminates the gun. pull down the ones that didn't fire and inspect primer and powder, check if primer fired and didn't ignite powder or if powder is clumpy. if possible try some factory ammo just to totally eliminate a gun problem. these can be the most annoying type of problems.
Good points. There is a dimple where the primer was hit which baffles me, you'd think they would have fired
 
Wouldn't expect our rifle chambers to vary that much. I used new brass and loaded it at the 2.940" COAL from the 2024 Hodgdon manual.

Going to shoot 15 more pieces of new 7mm SAUM brass with three different bullets tomorrow: Speer GS 130gr, Hornady ELDx 145gr, and the Nosler Accubond LR 165gr. All loaded with medium charges of Win 6.5 StaBall and COALs from the 2024 Hodgdon manual and the Lyman 51 manual. If I have time, I'm going to clean/anneal/load the once fired cases with the 170 Berger and a slower burning powder and measure velocity. I'd like to find out if lighter bullets form the brass as well as heavier ones. I'll let you know how it goes.
Brass with lighter bullets formed great but they didn't group like the Berger did on the first shots. Probably could've taken better pics of the cartridges/cases. Also need to lighten up on my crimp. All the cases are in good shape and fit well in a LE Wilson 6.8 Western cartridge/case gauge.
 

Attachments

  • thumbnail_IMG_7298.jpg
    thumbnail_IMG_7298.jpg
    180.9 KB · Views: 125
  • thumbnail_IMG_7301.jpg
    thumbnail_IMG_7301.jpg
    301.1 KB · Views: 75
If all goes well you won't have to go this route much longer - ADG will soon have 6.8 Western available:

That will be nice!! Now if we can just get quality primers!! In 25 years of reloading I've never had a box of bad primers.
 
Hey all,
I am new to this forum business and am trying to figure out sizing 7 saum to 6.8 western. I have successfully fireformed 18 pieces of brass from 7 saum to 6.8 weatern. However there is a reason I only have 18 pieces. One case did not fire and it seemed it may have been a bad primer I disposed of the case and have continued when I have had time. Yesterday evening I shot 10 more of the loads I used for fire forming 54 gr of imr 4350 and speer hotcore 150gr bullets. Seated just over spec as it seemed to be jamming the lands. On the 8th case the primer flattened and it almost looks like the case tried to separate. I'm not real sure why this happened as all other cases are forming perfectly. Any idea why this might be happening? It going to bug me unless there is a reasonable explanation. Hope someone can help me out with more knowledge than myself. Thank you!!!
20241117_142552.jpg
20241117_142547.jpg
 
I've been considering this chambering....can't wait to see what ADG does for this particular cartridge. Im hoping it pushes a 170 harder than a 7saum pushes a 168....
 
I
Hey all,
... Yesterday evening I shot 10 more of the loads I used for fire forming 54 gr of imr 4350 and speer hotcore 150gr bullets. Seated just over spec as it seemed to be jamming the lands. On the 8th case the primer flattened and it almost looks like the case tried to separate. I'm not real sure why this happened as all other cases are forming perfectly. Any idea why this might be happening? It going to bug me unless there is a reasonable explanation. Hope someone can help me out with more knowledge
Is this a new gun? First handloads in it? Do you have pics of the other fired cases from the primer end?

Im wondering if something funky is going on with the chamber or perhaps components? Thats the flattest primer Ive seen I think.
These were new brass right?
 
I

Is this a new gun? First handloads in it? Do you have pics of the other fired cases from the primer end?

Im wondering if something funky is going on with the chamber or perhaps components? Thats the flattest primer Ive seen I think.
These were new brass right?
This a fairly new rifle. I would say roughly 70 rounds down the barrel. I fired 20 factory rounds and have successfully loaded 165 ablrs shooting sub moa consistently. I haven't had any weird issues other than occasionally the bolt closes a little rough but not often enough that I'd consider it an issue. And it does it with both factory and hand loads. Its a new seekins precision Havak ph2. Im not completely new to hand loaded but i am absolutely new to fireforming. The primers are fairly old as i bought them from a ol boy who had them for who knows how long. Primers are so hard to come across i figured I better just snag em up. Other than that all components are new.
20241118_194811.jpg
20241118_194754.jpg
 

Recent Posts

Top