How to conv. 30-06 brass to 358Win brass?

35fix · July 17, 2009, 12:20 AM

I've a ton of Lake City 30-06 ammo&brass and now a new BLR in 358 not to mention some 38/357, so I'm going to get into reloading. Thinking that Lake City brass is good for reloading and I already have it, how would you recommend I form it into 358? Or should I just sell/trade the LC brass for 358win?

Falcon5NZ · July 17, 2009, 12:28 AM

I'm no expert but isn't .358 based off .308 not .30-06.
So I think you would need to trim it then run an expander ball through it.
Any experts please correct me.
And is LC Berdan or Boxer primed?

Doodlebugger45 · July 17, 2009, 12:33 AM

Wow. You're going to start reloading and you want to complicate it by trying to neck up brass in a rifle cartridge? You probably realize that it will complicate the whole learning curve. But yeah, it can be done. No, I can't begin to tell you the little tricks because I haven't done it. Personally, I started out just loading 38 specials until I got the hang of it then moved onto other pistol cartridges. I will soon be doing some bottle neck rifle cartridges. But sure there are tons of people who start out with rifle cartridges just fine.

Oh dang! I thought you said you had 308 brass, not 30-06. Yikes! Even worse.

All in all though, I'm thinking it would be better to start your learning with factory cases made for that cartridge.

By the way, I'm envious of the BLR in 358 Win. It might have been you that beat me out in the auction a couple weeks ago for all I know!

35fix · July 17, 2009, 01:10 AM

Nope but wish I had; a used, Belgium maybe, BLR in 358 for less than $400 would have been a nice deal.

Yes, I know, I'm a jump in with both feet kind of guy. My LC is Boxer primed and I'll have to take out the crimps. But I see that you can bump the '06 shoulder down to 308 then trim & turn; the next step would be to neck out to 358.

SO, would you neck out to 358 first then shoulder down... or shoulder down to 308 length... then neck out. Also, I've read that some use dies to neck out and others just fireform out to 358. I've yet to figure out if regular RCBS or Hornady FL sizing dies have a tapered neck expander.

I'm looking to get a Lee Classic 4-hole turret press so I can also reload my 38/357 and 30-06.

Scorch · July 17, 2009, 01:56 AM

You can do it, here are the steps:
1- Trim to length in a form/trim die (this is a special die, available from RCBS or others). Cut off excess brass, trim end smooth with a file.
2- Neck ream in a neck reaming die (another special die available from RCBS) to reduce the thickness of the brass to SAAMI specs.
3- Size in a full-length sizing die (standard reloading die).
4- Prime and reload as usual.

So, yes, it can be done. All you need to do is invest several hundred dollars in a forming/trim die and a neck reaming die, as well as the reloading dies, and you're set. Due to the cost of the dies, and the fact that you'll only use them a few times, I would advise against all this nonsense and just tell you to go buy factory brass. Going to all this trouble is usually reserved for obsolete cartridges that are no longer available from any source for a firearm that someone really wants to shoot.

Crankylove · July 17, 2009, 02:15 AM

My .358 Win RCBS dies have a tapered expander. Technically, you can do it from 30-06 (also .270, 25-06, 243, etc.) but its much easier to use .308. When Winchester introduced the cartridge, they simply used the .308 necked up to .35 caliber with no other modifications to the case, so starting with .308 brass greatly simplifies things. When I run .308 brass thru my dies, it gets the neck expanded, and your done. No need to trim, no bumping the shoulder back, no extra steps involved. You can also find new Winchester headstamped .358 Win brass fairly easily (at least in my area), if you don't feel like making your own.

If you do end up forming brass from .308, I would use only comercial brass. I have tried using surplus cases, cause I pick them up all over, but some of the case necks have thicker walls than comercial brass, and will require reaming in order to chamber.

35fix · July 17, 2009, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate when senior members of forums take the time to tell neophites why our ideas are bad instead of just telling us we're stupid. Scorch, good to see someone from my home state. I'm in Eastern WA near "YakiVegas".

I've always wanted to get into reloading/Deer-Elk hunting and as usual in most of my hobbies am getting in at the worst time; better late than never I guess.

I'm putting together a shopping list and looking for other reloaders in the area. I'm wanting the new Lee 4-hole turret to reload my 38/357, 9mm, 45acp, '06 and now 358. I've got all but the hardware and inexpensive bullets. If I get really good at reloading I might even hunt with my reloads.

fix

GeauxTide · July 17, 2009, 01:00 PM

I've got a 4 hole Lee Press and I wouldn't put that much pressure on it, besides the cost of all the extra stuff mentioned above. Spend 60 bucks on 100 .358 Winchester cases at Midway Arms and you'll spend your time shooting instead of all those other steps.

wncchester · July 17, 2009, 01:09 PM

It's easy enough. Just push the -06 cases into a .358 FL sizer (without the decap rod in place), trim the excess neck and you are pretty much done.

The new necks MAY be too thick, but not automatically. If so, for more concentric necks, turn them, don't ream.

Anneal the new necks too. Otherwise you will get neck splits pretty fast. That's not hazardous, it's just a waste of the cases you've worked so hard on.

**Mike Irwin** · July 17, 2009, 01:39 PM

What you're proposing to do is FAR more work than what it is worth.

See if you can find someone who has some .308 brass and who wants .30-06, and do a trade.

HiBC · July 17, 2009, 01:48 PM

First,Congratulations on your rifle.I think you have a real prize there.

Now,on reforming your LC brass.

The .358 is already challenged for case capacity versus bore dia.It is a great cartridge,but the limiting factor is case capacity.The LC brass has thicker walls,so you will lose some capacity.

Ordinarily,when I form cases,I use virgin brass.Once fired is typically harder,and is more prone to cracking/failing in the process.

Then,lets not forget you are also going to have to swage the crimps out of the primer pockets.

You CAN do it,I don't suggest you can't.

But I bet there is someone who shoots Hi-power targets with an M-1 Garand who would very much like to have your LC 30-06 brass,and would give you money for it.

Then you could buy new .358 brass.

Ammo mfgs don't run .358 every week,so it may not always be on the shelf,but they do still make it.
Good luck

July 17, 2009, 12:20 AM	#1
35fix Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2009 Posts: 3	How to conv. 30-06 brass to 358Win brass? I've a ton of Lake City 30-06 ammo&brass and now a new BLR in 358 not to mention some 38/357, so I'm going to get into reloading. Thinking that Lake City brass is good for reloading and I already have it, how would you recommend I form it into 358? Or should I just sell/trade the LC brass for 358win?

July 17, 2009, 12:33 AM	#3
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	Wow. You're going to start reloading and you want to complicate it by trying to neck up brass in a rifle cartridge? You probably realize that it will complicate the whole learning curve. But yeah, it can be done. No, I can't begin to tell you the little tricks because I haven't done it. Personally, I started out just loading 38 specials until I got the hang of it then moved onto other pistol cartridges. I will soon be doing some bottle neck rifle cartridges. But sure there are tons of people who start out with rifle cartridges just fine. Oh dang! I thought you said you had 308 brass, not 30-06. Yikes! Even worse. All in all though, I'm thinking it would be better to start your learning with factory cases made for that cartridge. By the way, I'm envious of the BLR in 358 Win. It might have been you that beat me out in the auction a couple weeks ago for all I know! Last edited by Doodlebugger45; July 17, 2009 at 12:36 AM. Reason: Just noticed the OP caliber

July 17, 2009, 01:56 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	You can do it, here are the steps: 1- Trim to length in a form/trim die (this is a special die, available from RCBS or others). Cut off excess brass, trim end smooth with a file. 2- Neck ream in a neck reaming die (another special die available from RCBS) to reduce the thickness of the brass to SAAMI specs. 3- Size in a full-length sizing die (standard reloading die). 4- Prime and reload as usual. So, yes, it can be done. All you need to do is invest several hundred dollars in a forming/trim die and a neck reaming die, as well as the reloading dies, and you're set. Due to the cost of the dies, and the fact that you'll only use them a few times, I would advise against all this nonsense and just tell you to go buy factory brass. Going to all this trouble is usually reserved for obsolete cartridges that are no longer available from any source for a firearm that someone really wants to shoot. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 17, 2009, 02:15 AM	#6
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 4B ID Posts: 1,770	My .358 Win RCBS dies have a tapered expander. Technically, you can do it from 30-06 (also .270, 25-06, 243, etc.) but its much easier to use .308. When Winchester introduced the cartridge, they simply used the .308 necked up to .35 caliber with no other modifications to the case, so starting with .308 brass greatly simplifies things. When I run .308 brass thru my dies, it gets the neck expanded, and your done. No need to trim, no bumping the shoulder back, no extra steps involved. You can also find new Winchester headstamped .358 Win brass fairly easily (at least in my area), if you don't feel like making your own. If you do end up forming brass from .308, I would use only comercial brass. I have tried using surplus cases, cause I pick them up all over, but some of the case necks have thicker walls than comercial brass, and will require reaming in order to chamber. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776 Last edited by Crankylove; July 17, 2009 at 02:24 AM.

July 17, 2009, 01:39 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	What you're proposing to do is FAR more work than what it is worth. See if you can find someone who has some .308 brass and who wants .30-06, and do a trade. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 17, 2009, 12:28 AM	#2
Falcon5NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Somewhere North of the Roaring 40's...Just Posts: 275	I'm no expert but isn't .358 based off .308 not .30-06. So I think you would need to trim it then run an expander ball through it. Any experts please correct me. And is LC Berdan or Boxer primed?

July 17, 2009, 01:10 AM	#4
35fix Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2009 Posts: 3	Nope but wish I had; a used, Belgium maybe, BLR in 358 for less than $400 would have been a nice deal. Yes, I know, I'm a jump in with both feet kind of guy. My LC is Boxer primed and I'll have to take out the crimps. But I see that you can bump the '06 shoulder down to 308 then trim & turn; the next step would be to neck out to 358. SO, would you neck out to 358 first then shoulder down... or shoulder down to 308 length... then neck out. Also, I've read that some use dies to neck out and others just fireform out to 358. I've yet to figure out if regular RCBS or Hornady FL sizing dies have a tapered neck expander. I'm looking to get a Lee Classic 4-hole turret press so I can also reload my 38/357 and 30-06.

July 17, 2009, 12:13 PM	#7
35fix Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies. I appreciate when senior members of forums take the time to tell neophites why our ideas are bad instead of just telling us we're stupid. Scorch, good to see someone from my home state. I'm in Eastern WA near "YakiVegas". I've always wanted to get into reloading/Deer-Elk hunting and as usual in most of my hobbies am getting in at the worst time; better late than never I guess. I'm putting together a shopping list and looking for other reloaders in the area. I'm wanting the new Lee 4-hole turret to reload my 38/357, 9mm, 45acp, '06 and now 358. I've got all but the hardware and inexpensive bullets. If I get really good at reloading I might even hunt with my reloads. fix

July 17, 2009, 01:00 PM	#8
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,514	I've got a 4 hole Lee Press and I wouldn't put that much pressure on it, besides the cost of all the extra stuff mentioned above. Spend 60 bucks on 100 .358 Winchester cases at Midway Arms and you'll spend your time shooting instead of all those other steps.

July 17, 2009, 01:09 PM	#9
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	It's easy enough. Just push the -06 cases into a .358 FL sizer (without the decap rod in place), trim the excess neck and you are pretty much done. The new necks MAY be too thick, but not automatically. If so, for more concentric necks, turn them, don't ream. Anneal the new necks too. Otherwise you will get neck splits pretty fast. That's not hazardous, it's just a waste of the cases you've worked so hard on.

July 17, 2009, 01:48 PM	#11
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,350	First,Congratulations on your rifle.I think you have a real prize there. Now,on reforming your LC brass. The .358 is already challenged for case capacity versus bore dia.It is a great cartridge,but the limiting factor is case capacity.The LC brass has thicker walls,so you will lose some capacity. Ordinarily,when I form cases,I use virgin brass.Once fired is typically harder,and is more prone to cracking/failing in the process. Then,lets not forget you are also going to have to swage the crimps out of the primer pockets. You CAN do it,I don't suggest you can't. But I bet there is someone who shoots Hi-power targets with an M-1 Garand who would very much like to have your LC 30-06 brass,and would give you money for it. Then you could buy new .358 brass. Ammo mfgs don't run .358 every week,so it may not always be on the shelf,but they do still make it. Good luck