reloading belted magnums

[Jack1939]

I heard that belted magnums can be a pain to reload for. Since I already reload rifle cases I am tempted to buy a rifle chambered in an expensive caliber, because I can keep costs down. But the brass is more expensive for 7mm rem mag than it is for, say 30-06 or .308 so it seems like if I can only use a 7mm rem mag (or 300 win mag) case a few times before it will not fit in the chamber, then that negates the savings of reloading... Maybe I should consider a 300 wsm, or a 7mm wsm? But it seems those are so new that I might not be able to get cases at all...

[shooterbill]

Loading for belted cases is the same as regular cases. Usually because of the higher pressures, case life is shorter. Buy once fired cases for a big savings. As far as the WSM cartridges go, cases will be easier to get than loaded ammo. The 7WSM is already gone in most mfg lineup. NRA F-Class shooters are keeping it alive still.

[Divernhunter]

I load for 3 belted mags and have never had a problem. But then I have never tried to get 20-30 reloads out of any of my rifle brass belted or non-belted.

[scotty99]

Guy in FL sells a special collet die to full-length resize belted cases all the way to the belt. I was having feeding issues with my 7 mm mag cases by the third loading, and this die solves the problem completely. It's pretty universal and works for a bunch of belted calibers.

http://www.larrywillis.com/

[Sunday]

I have reloaded 300 Weatherby ammo and it is no different to load than any other rifle ammo.

[GreenAndy]

It's no different to reload then regular straight wall bottle neck ammo. Just watch the case length and signs for getting weak, like with any peice of brass.

[Wrangler John]

Okay, get ready here it is: Belted cases headspace on the belt, not the datum line on the shoulder as rimless cases do. In this regard they are more like rimmed cases such as the .30-30 or .45-70. (It can also be used for rimmed bottle necked cases in bolt action and single shot rifles.) Reloading dies and cartridge cases today are held closely to SAMMI specifications, and will function satisfactory in any modern arm chambered in a standard belted case. There is no pain involved, they work just the same as any other case.

However, the advanced handloader may want to make cases that headspace on the shoulder rather than the belt. Doing so can increase accuracy in a precision rifle, and reduce case stretching. A drawback is that this technique can also result in difficult chambering of a cartridge if not done properly. I use this technique in two belted cartridges, a 7mm Remington Magnum and a .375 Epstein Magnum wildcat. There are three ways to accomplish this:

For brass fired in the chamber being reloaded for, you can back out the full length sizer die a couple of turns so it doesn't set the shoulder back and try to chamber it. If it doesn't allow the bolt to close, turn the die in a little at a time until the bolt just closes with minimal resistence. Tighten the locking collar so the adjustment doesn't move and lock it down.

You can also neck size the case by using a neck size only die. Lee precision sells a good inexpensive die set that does the job http://leeprecision.com/delux-rifle-3-di-7mag.html. Every die manufacturer offers a three die set that includes a full length and neck only die, along with a bullet seating die. They also sell the neck sizing only die. Forster Products makes a bushing bump neck sizing die that comes with three neck sizing bushings, and Redding has a bushing neck sizing die that offers a wide selection of neck diameter bushings so you can adjust bullet pull or match a chamber neck diameter.

For new unfired cases one way to get exact headspacing is to run the case neck over a tapered expander, say a .22 to .308 caliber. That results in a neck that is too large to chamber. Then run the case into a full length 7mm Remington Magnum die a little at a time until the case just allows the bolt to close with a bit of "feel". Now you have a case with a slight double shoulder that is setting the headspace to minimum. Lock down the die's lock ring so it doesn't change. Load as normal with a mid-pressure load and all the cases will be fireformed. Subsequently size with the neck die. If the cases become difficult to chamber at some point, trim and then size them in the full length die you set up.

The final method is to send off three fired cases and have a custom sizing die made. I use Hornady's Custom Shop ( (308) 382-1390 ask for Ben Styling) for these because their work is good and wait time is favorable. My .375 Epstein Magnum rifle was barreled years ago by RCBS and included a forming and sizing die set matching the chamber (RCBS no longer works on customer firearms, that was back during the Fred Huntington days).

So there you have it, belted magnums can be as accurate as any cartridge, but you can either just load them with a set of full length dies or fiddle with them as much as you like. I use cases headspaced on the shoulder, neck turned with uniformed primer pockets and babied along, to shoot little bug hole groups.