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Gunsmithing Improved or standard

bjay

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Minuteman
Oct 19, 2009
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Aloha state HI
20170830_165832-1.jpg About to make another 300 norma mag. Lighter for hunting purposes. I already have improved version 35* with all reloading components..
Should i standard or improved?
Pros and co​​​ns between the two pls.
 
If it feeds fine from the magazine then there is no reason to change anything up. If it doesn't, then maybe a standard case is a better fit for the application.
 
Yup it does feed well with 35* shoulder.
What about which version offer better brass life?
Barrel life in the same speed maybe?


if it's a hunting rifle I don't worry about brass or barrel life. I'm not going to shoot it like a match rifle, so it's basically going to last forever shooting 50-100 rounds a year. For my area, much less as I only have a couple hundred yards at best so I don't need nearly as much practice as I would a LR hunting rig.
 
Standard. I have an 223 Ackley, it performs better in terms of velocity but that's it. Fire forming brass is a chore and cost barrel life.

I've come to the realizations that its just not worth it unless your really trying to stretch the limit of your existing platform.

Barrel life will be less if you burn more powder in the same size bore with the same bullet. Brass life is probably a wash...

That said, if you are already set up with brass and dies.... and your smith is using the same reamer and setting head space the same... why not...
 
"I've come to the realizations that its just not worth it unless your really trying to stretch the limit of your existing platform."

I think eagle1899 is exactly right with his statement above. I have a 338LM improved just for that express purpose. I needed to get that cartridge to perform well at distances that normally it takes a larger cartridge to do. But otherwise, I'm not sure the extra challenges that are required for improved cartridges are worth it unless you have a very specific goal you are trying to achieve in mind. The need for an improved cartridge in a hunting round totally escapes me.
 
"I've come to the realizations that its just not worth it unless your really trying to stretch the limit of your existing platform."

I think eagle1899 is exactly right with his statement above. I have a 338LM improved just for that express purpose. I needed to get that cartridge to perform well at distances that normally it takes a larger cartridge to do. But otherwise, I'm not sure the extra challenges that are required for improved cartridges are worth it unless you have a very specific goal you are trying to achieve in mind. The need for an improved cartridge in a hunting round totally escapes me.

Agree about fireforming.
One of the reason we do improved besides looks is adding capacity.
With my ​​​30" barrel even with slow rl33 to chase velocity i was not even close to above shoulder nor compressing powder before getting 3100 or pressure sign and this is with 230s hybrids .. With the next build will be 24" means most likely ill be using faster powder less volume inside the case.. Specially with lighter 212 grainer ir lighter. So capacity wont be the issue...i think any powder slower than h1000 needs at least 26" or longer to burn all powder.. So i think the standard is ok if whatever i said making sense...?? Do you agree? :)
 
Agree about fireforming.
One of the reason we do improved besides looks is adding capacity.
With my ​​​30" barrel even with slow rl33 to chase velocity i was not even close to above shoulder nor compressing powder before getting 3100 or pressure sign and this is with 230s hybrids .. With the next build will be 24" means most likely ill be using faster powder less volume inside the case.. Specially with lighter 212 grainer ir lighter. So capacity wont be the issue...i think any powder slower than h1000 needs at least 26" or longer to burn all powder.. So i think the standard is ok if whatever i said making sense...?? Do you agree? :)

Yes,I would agree, especially if your round will be primarily for hunting. And yes, the slower powders work well in the longer barrels, that's why I burn retumbo in my lapua (32" barrel).