Necking up 30-06 brass for a 35 Whelen

[barm]

I just necked up 20 pieces of Winchester 30-06 brass for my 35 Whelen and I noticed their overall length varies between 2.460" - 2.465".  The recommended trim length for the Whelen is 2.484", will it hurt if I am a little short with the brass?

[crash87]

Absolutely not! Just check out new brass bought in bulk. By the time you clean it up to be square it is "always" under. I also fireform factory ammo to wildcats and normally end up under. (.257 AI is a good example along with the .358STA) Now, going over the overall length is another matter entirely, don't want to do that. CRASH87

[barm]

Thank you Crash87

[tanoose]

I have a question , although i have some new 35 whelen brass i have a load of 30/06 brass and i just bought a new rifle in 35 Whelen. Are you fire forming  this brass or simply running the brass through a 35 whelen full length die? I spoke with customer service at redding and they told me all i have to do is run the 30/06 brass through there 35 whelen die and i would be ready to go , is this correct?

[crash87]

Normaly this is correct. One thing about 35 Whelen dies is that they are sold with a tapered expanding plug. You know, the part that goes into the neck when resizing. Other dies usually dont have this. I guess it is a throw back to the days when the Whelen was a wildcat and you didnt have factory brass. I to have a Whelen ('95 Winchester) and have done it with success. My dies are from RCBS and they also have a tapered expander. hope this helps CRASH87

[TNrifleman]

I've been making 35 Whelen cases from 30-'06 cases for almost 20 years now. With the RCBS dies that I use, case forming is quite easy; just run 'em through the sizing die. No fireforming is required. Imperial Sizing Die Wax works quite well as the lube. Even though we now can get factory Whelen cases, I still like turning '06 brass into one of my favorite cartridges, the great 35 Whelen. Good luck with yours.

[tanoose]

Hey thanks Crash and TN i'll give it a try

[Barstooler]

Like TNrifleman I have been make Whelens from 30-06s, but since 1969.  Use the same RCBS dies.  Lube the inside of the mouth a little bit, and trim them even.   Never had a problem necking them up.  If you use A-Square 338-06 brass, you will be paying through the nose and it will still not have the proper head stamp.  You can buy Whelen brass from Remington through Midway if you want the head stamp.

Barstooler

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