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.

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/338dieandbullet.jpg

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/newbullets012.jpg

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

:swagemine:

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.

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/338dieandbullet001.jpg

Swage On!

:swagemine:

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.

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050397.jpg
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.



http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1050399.jpg

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

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060168-1.jpg

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060168-2.jpg

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060177-1.jpg

[greywuuf]

Those look great, I second the 358 and Quit messing with the little stuff and help a 50 cal bro out ;-)

[tomme boy]

Anything on the .323 bullet? I like the one shown. SMK's are $$$$$ as you know.

[Wayne Smith]

I'm assuming that since you made one in .323 that making one in .330 or .331 for those of us addicted to the Steyr 95 would be within the envelope?

[BT Sniper]

Any size/caliber is possible. Yes .330 would not be a problem.

The 8mm set of dies is just waiting for me to assemble :)

I've seen the big 50 done on a reloading press. I'll see what I can do.

BT

[Wayne Smith]

So I could do that on my cast steel Hollywood press on which I'm now swaging Herter's 44 half jackets. Gotta save my pennies after I get the stock for my Martini make and pay off my gunsmith!

[DVC]

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.

So, how about .375? I don't know how close "-ish" would be. ;)

When they're wanting $2 per round for .376 Steyr, I'm definitely interested in alternatives.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Help me out, what is the difference between the LM and Edge and Lapua cases?

thanks,

Rich

[BT Sniper]

338 edge is simply a 300 RUM necked up to .338. Gives it about %10 more case capacity then the standard 338 RUM and from what I read puts it on the same playing field, or more, then the 338 lupua.

The lupua is also a great round but the brass is way exspensive. The base diameter is larger on the lapua.

I just shot a three shot one hole group with my edge 2 weeks ago. With a 30" barrel I'm am pushing the 300 grain Sierra Match King at 2850 FPS.

Here is a pick of the group. Now to make my own bullet that will shoot that well!

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060168-2.jpg

BT

[Swageocast]

Hey BT Sniper you been out huntin again ????

Just wanna make sure gettin through !!!

It's Notch Die Time :-)

Thanks Swagocast

[BT Sniper]

Went couple weekend ago and now getting ready to go again this weekend :)

PM sent

I got a notch die ready for you.

Thanks,

BT

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

The edge sounds like what I need to go with. I talked to a friend at BHA, and a case of 338 Lapua is just slightly more than the GDP of seventeen island nation countries...

thanks,

Rich

[BT Sniper]

Yes the Lapua is expensive brass. I would be scared to ask how much a loaded round would cost.

I have been very pleased with my edge. It is a single shot built on a Savage 110 action. Reloading is a must as the edge is not a commercial offering. Check out LongRangeHunting.com a lot of edge info there. The 300 RUM brass or 375 RUM brass (Parent cases for the edge either necked up or down) is easier to find then the 338 RUM brass is but the 338 RUM is also a very good long range round too.

I had a chance to pick up a 338-06 built on a 1917 enfield action. really was a good looking gun and probably capible of taking any of our North American game animals. Certainly a big 338 like teh edge or RUM is not needed but sure is fun to reach out there a mile if need be :2gunsfiring_v1:

Good shooting

BT

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

IIRC, the Lapua round is basically a 338-416 Rigby. Retail on the Lapua rounds from BHA is running about $165 per twenty. I'm retired three years now, and I would have to get Mamma a paper route to afford a box a month...

If I could coax Savage out of a 112BVSS in 338WM that would put me a pretty cost-effective version together.

Hmmmmmmmmmm...

thanks,

Rich

[ohnomrbillk]

Any updates on this guy? I'm thinking real hard about a subsonic 338 BR and 300gr expanding bullets would be incredible.

[BT Sniper]

Just finished a set of dies for a customer. I spent the last couple months upgrading my shop equipment. The results have been great. I'm now getting back to work and expect many great things. The rain has returned here in OR which means it's time to make bullets and dies.

Here is the first set of .338 BTSniper dies ready to be shipped to customer. Includes everythign necessary to turn 223 brass into great 338 bullets. Included in the pics you will see the two smaller sizing dies and the two base punches to go with them. It took me a long time to succesfully figure out the best way for a customer to size down brass using a typical reloading press. Think I finally got it. Takes a little while but the results are very good.

Complete package!
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060540.jpg


Sizing dies!
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060520.jpg


Process of forming jacket and bullet!
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060518.jpg
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060519.jpg


Proof bullets formed in die!
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060529.jpg



RCBS RockChucker press I used to make the bullets with!
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu87/BTSniper/P1060534.jpg

BT

[JesterGrin_1]

I have really thought about necking up a 300 RUM to .358. Found some interesting info on it here. http://www.barnesbullets.com/information/product-news/publication-mentions/shooting-illustrated/

[BT Sniper]

Found some 338 pics that where ransomed by photobucket....

https://i.imgur.com/5kqRs7xl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uBcNdjFl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qYyMfb0l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Lmp9BHJl.jpg