Big 338s from 223 brass in BT Sniper dies!

[BT Sniper]

I've been pretty busy latly perfecting my skills on the lathe. What I came up with is a new custom BT Sniper 338 caliber die. Got enough room to make a bullet from as small as I want to probably more then 350 grains.





Bullet pictured is made from a sized down 223 case cut off at shoulder. Weight is 265 grains. Also pictured is the standard 223 case, the 300 grain .338 SMK and a 22LR for compare. Had I chosen a smaller metplat (ejection pin) I could have streamlined the bullet even more increasing the BC but as it is I am thrilled with the results.

This die and bullet is one of the primary reasons I started making bullets from brass. The 300 grain Sierra Match King bullets are over 50 cents a piece in bulk and around 75 cents a piece normally. Still got a bit more to do with the die but I am certainly having a good time and can't wait to shoot a few of these out of my 338 edge.

Thanks to all of you on this sight sharing your knowledge and ideas. I am happy to do a bit of the same.

Good shooting and Swage On



BT

[BT Sniper]

Made a second die last night. I was attempting a .308 but got a little big so it became a .323 instead. Made a smaller nose pin for it at .093 instaed of the .125 above and it turned out pretty good I think. I took a 220 grain Seirra Match King 308 bullet and swaged it up to the 8mm size.

Got a pic here to compare. Bullet formed in my die is on bottom. I was not worried about the base of the bullet and didn't have the correct size base punch so that is why the base is off but without that flaw it would be hard to tell the two apart. I know I'll be able to duplicat teh boat tail and even make it rebated.



Swage On!



BT

[DDriller]

Looks good BT. Now you've got me thinking and that is dangerous for my bank account.

[jonblack]

BT - I know you don't need any words of encouragement. Having said that, you are doing a great job and really pushing the boundaries of DIY swaging. You are providing a great service and showing great dedication to our community.

Thank for all of your hard work
jonblack

[BT Sniper]

Morning Jon, Thanks and your welcome! Good things are happening thats for sure. Great sight and I owe a lot to the many here that share their knowledge. There certainly will be many new bullets to come this year and I imagine this sight and hobby of ours will gain even more attention.

Good shooting and Swage On!

BT

[BT Sniper]

Getting things perfected here with the 338s. Going to send some of the big 300 grainers off to test at subsonic speeds see how they do.

All ready shot a few 260 grain bullets made from 30 carbine out of my 338RUM at 2950FPS but didn't have time for accuracy testing yet.

Here is some more pics of possible designs for use at the slower speeds.


Here I was able to use a 8mm airsoft BB in the nose as well as my universial notching die to create some possibles for better expansion at slower speeds.





An up close of the 300 grain SMK and my two customs made from cut down and sixed 223 brass all at 300 grains.

Matter of fact looking at the BB and the jacket it is a perfect fit. I figure I will fill the case with lead shot and cap it off with the blue plastic tip making a 250ish grain safty slug. Seems like a good chice for the wisper and spectra shooters out there looking for good expansion from a heavy bullet. I'll put a few together see what happpenes.

Good shooting and Swage On!

BTSniper

[nicholst55]

Great Work, Brian! Now, think .358"!

The selection of factory .358 J-word bullets isn't all that great, and I can never find any locally (when I'm back in the States). I'd truly love to be able to swage my own bullets for my .35 Whelen!

[BT Sniper]

358 is certainly not a problem. Matter of fact the closer we are to the .375ish diameter of the 223 brass the eaiser it should be.

[nicholst55]

358 is certainly not a problem. Matter of fact the closer we are to the .375ish diameter of the 223 brass the eaiser it should be.

Next question: will I need a hydraulic (or pneumatic) powered press to do this, or can I reasonably expect to be able to do it with my A Neat/u.p. north Iron Monster swaging press?

[BT Sniper]

Oh I expect you'll be just fine with that big press no matter what bullet or case you decide to make.

BT

[Pinzgauer]

Wow!

Now that is exactly what I am interested in. 338 bullets, as you mentioned, cost a fortune and this is a good way to cut down on a little of the cost.

Thanks BT, Ill stay tuned.

Mike B

[Jailer]

I'd be interested in this too. I have access to a bunch of .223 brass.

Anything you can come up with that uses .223 and .40 brass I'm all over it.

[ohnomrbillk]

These look great!

[JesterGrin_1]

I have never done anything like this before but I have to say you sure have me thinking of a 35 Cal for a Whelen in the 250Gr range.

[thehouseproduct]

are these for a 338 spectre?

[BT Sniper]

Oh they are for anything you wish to shoot them from. I have only shot a few from a 338 RUM with a 30"barrel on it. Really slinged them out there. 3000fps+ from the 260 grian bullets I made from a 30 caribine piece of brass. I suspect they would work well in a spectre also and have a few guys in line to give a few a try.

[par0thead151]

any chance you can make 300+ grain bullets for 338 LM with these dies?

[BT Sniper]

any chance you can make 300+ grain bullets for 338 LM with these dies?

Yep! Probably not much heavier do to only so much room in the die by design limits. I have made some up to 310 grains from 223 brass but havn't had time to shoot any yet. I imagine I may be able to get up to 325 maybe 350 grains. I'll keep everyone posted for sure.

I have a 338 edge with nearly identical performance to the big 338LM and so far I have only shot a few of these brass bulllets @ 260 grains made from a 30 carbine brass case. I did get 2950FPS from 95 grains of H-1000 and sent a few over the crony loaded with 98 grains but did not register the FPS. FIgured I was at about max with the 98 grians and 260 grian pill but imigine it was atleast 3000fps+. Got a 30" tube on my gun that obviously gets a few more FPS then shorter length barrels. With the 300 grain Seirra Match King I get the standard 2850FPS from 92 grain loads of H-1000.

How do those 45 cal bullets look?

BT

[BT Sniper]

Last pic in post 6 is the 300 grain SMK next to a couple 300 grain bullets made from 223 brass.

BT

[BT Sniper]

Went shooting over weekend. Didn't shoot any custom 338 bullets, just the 300 grain SMKs. Had a new scope to try out and the result was awesome. I certainly have a great test platform for upcoming custom 338 bullets.

Check out the first group of the day with the 300 SMKs at 100 yds. First shot was high and right after mounting new scope. Following group was next three shots fired after adjusting scope. Point of aim was top of diamond right where bullets hit

Subtract .338 from the outside to outside measument of that group and it is pretty tight! Now to get good groups at longer range and hope for good results from custom bullets.

Good shooting and Swage On!

BT