Belted Cartridge Reloading

Mojotex · 01-24-2011, 11:11 AM

I recently bought a 338 Win. Mag. I am considering hand loading for it. I have hand loaded centerfire for decades, but never a belted cartridge. I ahve a 300 Win. Mag. , but have always used factory stuff in it.

Frankly I probably will not shoot more than 20-40 rounds a year, if that many. Quality factory ammo is running about $60/20. Questions are is it worth it to hand load for so few rounds being shot? And if so, precautions about hand loading belted cartridges would be welcomed. I am going to do some research on the net, but was hoping for additional experience from some of you more experienced hand loaders.

Big Uncle · 01-24-2011, 11:20 AM

There is no difference in loading for a belted case. If you have all of the reloading gear except dies, it would be a good idea to load for that .338 and for the .300.

You can load your .338 down for easy practice, or let it shove a 210 NP to somewhere around 3,000 fps. Throw in a good load for a heavier bullet like a 250, and you can make the .338 very flexible by handloading.

Ridge Runner · 01-24-2011, 01:33 PM

a belted cartridge will headspace on the belt, whch means you can't push the shoulders back enough that it won't fire, however if you set your die so the cartridge headspaces on the shoulder, you'll get better brass life.
RR

stalkingbear · 01-24-2011, 02:30 PM

RR is correct (as usual). Set the die so that it neck sizes only and not only will you experience longer case life but will in all likelyhood will be more accurate. The reason for this is when belted ammo is fired, it expands to fill the chamber. When you full length resize, it pushes the shoulder back more than you would with unbelted ammo. As you know cartridges with a belt headspace either on the belt OR the shoulder. By resizing so that the cartridge headspaces on the shoulder you eliminate most of the case stretching to fill the chamber.

Big Z · 01-24-2011, 07:42 PM

There might be a trick move or two for belts like's been mentioned, but it's the same as others. And in my opinion, yes, it is always worth it to reload-- especially for the price difference you're looking at (even if you shoot little and it takes a few shots to pay for your dies)

Pawildman · 01-25-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stalkingbear

RR is correct (as usual). Set the die so that it neck sizes only and not only will you experience longer case life but will in all likelyhood will be more accurate. The reason for this is when belted ammo is fired, it expands to fill the chamber. When you full length resize, it pushes the shoulder back more than you would with unbelted ammo. As you know cartridges with a belt headspace either on the belt OR the shoulder. By resizing so that the cartridge headspaces on the shoulder you eliminate most of the case stretching to fill the chamber.

....... Excellent advice from Ridge Runner and Stalkingbear both.

Mojotex · 01-28-2011, 05:16 PM

Thanks so much for the info. Got the 300 Win. Mag. dies. Will be ordering the 338 Win. Dies and a selection of bullets tomorrow. Put a nice scope on the 338, adjusted the trigger to a tad over 3.5# and did some shooting yesterday using the factory stuff that I bought. It groups fine. Got a legitimate 1.5 MOA out of all 6 - 3 shot groups. All groups about the same and all a decent triangle. So I will be looking forward to tightening those groups !

BarnesX.308 · 02-01-2011, 04:19 AM

At $60 a box, you need to reload

DROX · 02-01-2011, 04:04 PM

Mojotex,
I have two .338's and one 7 mag. I have reloaded for years and have found the biggest advantage is the flexibility I have in choosing different bullet weights and determining the amount of felt recoil for target loads; not so much the money I might be saving. I watch for brass on sale, for bullets that folks are getting rid of (because they found the .338 was way too much gun for them) and, if lucky, some powders on sale. It is by being and buying smart that you can bring the price down some!!

I used to live in Anchorage where there was a store called Long's Drugs which every year had a BIG reloading sale. You could get a pound of powder for $10; those days are gone! One time I was lucky enough to have a friend give me 10 boxes of Remington 300 grain silver tip rounds!! No sir, those days are surely gone!!!!! Good luck and be safe!!!!!

MatthewUSMC · 05-24-2011, 04:45 PM

Reloading is the best route if you already have the other needed equipment, but if you dont and you have to go buy it and you only shoot it 20-40 rounds a year... not worth it... $1000 plus in supplies most likely $1200.. you could buy alot of of good custom hand loaded ammo for sure...