How to Make .35 Remington Brass: A Comprehensive Guide for Reloaders
Making your own .35 Remington brass might seem daunting, but with the right tools, techniques, and a bit of patience, it's a rewarding process for dedicated reloaders. This comprehensive guide outlines the steps involved, focusing on safety and achieving high-quality results. Disclaimer: Reloading ammunition involves inherent risks. Always prioritize safety and consult relevant reloading manuals before undertaking this process.
Understanding the Process: Why Make Your Own?
Before diving into the specifics, it's crucial to understand why one would choose to make their own .35 Remington brass. The primary reasons include:
- Cost Savings: Over time, making your own brass can be significantly cheaper than consistently purchasing factory-new cases.
- Brass Availability: Finding .35 Remington brass can sometimes be challenging, especially specific types or quantities. Making your own ensures a steady supply.
- Customization: You have complete control over the brass you use, ensuring consistent quality and potentially improving accuracy.
Necessary Equipment and Materials:
You'll need several essential tools and materials:
- Suitable Parent Case: This is the crucial first step. You cannot directly form .35 Remington brass from scratch. You need a suitable parent case that can be resized and reformed. Common choices include .30-30 Winchester cases, though the process may require more work. The exact process depends on the parent case chosen. Consult a reloading manual for specific guidance based on your chosen parent case.
- Reloading Press: A sturdy reloading press capable of handling the forces involved in resizing and forming.
- Sizing Dies: Dies specific to the parent case and .35 Remington are necessary. This often involves a combination of full-length sizing dies and possibly neck sizing dies.
- Case Trimmer: To ensure uniform case length.
- Deburring Tool: For removing burrs from the case mouth and flash hole.
- Case Lubricant: To prevent case damage during resizing.
- Primer Pocket Cleaner: To clean and prepare the primer pockets.
- Measuring Tools: Calipers and a case gauge are essential for precise measurements.
- Annealing Equipment (Optional but Recommended): Annealing helps to soften the brass, reducing the risk of cracks and improving case life.
Step-by-Step Guide (Using .30-30 Winchester as Parent Case – Consult your reloading manual for alternative parent cases):
This section provides a general overview. The exact steps and adjustments will vary based on your chosen parent case and equipment. Always refer to your specific reloading manual.
- Case Preparation: Begin by thoroughly cleaning and inspecting your .30-30 Winchester cases. Remove any dirt, debris, and primers.
- Sizing: Resize the .30-30 Winchester case using the appropriate sizing die for your chosen parent case. This may involve multiple passes to ensure proper sizing.
- Neck Sizing (if applicable): Neck sizing might be required after initial sizing. This helps to maintain case neck tension and accuracy.
- Forming: This is where the .30-30 case is transformed into a .35 Remington case. This typically requires a specific forming die and may involve several steps. This process is case-specific and requires careful attention to detail.
- Trimming: Trim the cases to the correct length using a case trimmer. Inconsistencies in case length will impact accuracy and potentially damage your firearm.
- Deburring: Remove any burrs from the case mouth and flash hole with a deburring tool.
- Primer Pocket Cleaning: Ensure the primer pockets are clean and properly sized.
- Annealing (Optional): Anneal the cases to improve their longevity and reduce the risk of splitting or cracking during subsequent reloading cycles.
- Inspection: Carefully inspect your newly formed .35 Remington cases for any imperfections before loading.
Safety Precautions:
- Always wear safety glasses.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Handle cases with care to avoid cuts.
- Never exceed recommended pressures.
- Follow reloading manual instructions meticulously.
Conclusion:
Making your own .35 Remington brass is a rewarding but demanding process. Careful planning, precise technique, and a thorough understanding of reloading safety are paramount. Remember to always consult your specific reloading manual for detailed instructions and safety precautions. This guide provides a framework, but the exact steps and details will vary based on your equipment and chosen parent case. Happy reloading!
