I want to know if after loading your .348 bullet,will the gas check be below the base of the shell neck?I have a Browning 71 and my C.O.L. has to be less than that used in a Winchester.I am wanting to try cast bullets in the Browning as I have always used jackets.Thanks in advance.----T.A.P.

T.A.P.

Unfortunately those Browning 71's have REALLY short throats in them, and yes, the gas check will be below the case neck when loaded to chamber in the gun. I've had customers report excellent accuracy with loads using fillers to protect that portion of the bullet below the neck, and with nearly full-snort loads. I've had others report dismal, to grim reports as well.

Other customers have taken the step and extended the throats in their chamber to replicate the old Winchester factory configuration in their guns, and thereby the problem goes away....and I might add that they report easier load development not only with cast bullets but using jacketed as well.

Lastly there are those who go ahead and load with the base of the bullet extending below the bottom of the neck, and only load into the 1200-1600 fps threshold and get really great performance, just not full throttle power.

I hope this helps!

God Bless,

Marshall: I haven't examined a Browning 71 but I have owned and shot several Winchester 71s including one from the first few months of production.

Those Winchesters had only about 1/10 of an inch of throat in front of a maximum case. Are you saying the Brownings are shorter than that?

And can you tell me from your experience if the bullet you produce will normally function through an original Winchester 71?

I had been told the problem with the Browning 71's was related to them not being able to feed the same length cartridge from magazine to chamber as the original Winchesters will due to action modifications.

I would like to try your bullet but I am a little confused as to whether it will work in a Winchester if it won't in a Browning. But then I have to wonder just what you are making them to fit if they don't work through a Winchester.

Thanks.

Indeed we originally intended the bullet for the Winchester 71, as the Browning repros weren't even out when we first offered this bullet. And YES, the throats in the newer guns are even shorter than the .100" throat of the original Winchesters!

If the bullet is seated to just engage the rifling when chambered our bullets shoot quite nicely from all the reports we receive back on the bullets. I guess it could depend upon the gun, but most digest it nicely.

Hope this helps!

God bless,

Thank you for that information, and yes it does clarify the situation for me. If you look in the tech notes forum there is a discussion ongoing about fillers and in particular a product called PSB which I have just ordered. My main interest is in using it in compressed loads specifically to protect the base section of long heavy bullets in the 348.

Have you had any experience using PSB?

best.

I'll have to confess.... I'm lazy at heart when it comes to my handloading.... I detest having to trim brass, and only do it when mandatory, and I do my best to develop cast bullet loads for everything I shoot, but do so without the hassle of fillers. I haven't tried PSB at this time. I've heard mixed reviews on the use of it, either very, very good reports, or dismal reports and very little in-between.

Sorry, I can't comment on it from a personal use perspective, and I'm loathe to pass on third-hand information.

I would be interested to see and hear how it performs for you though. Please keep us posted.