Don't know why powder scoop has a hole in bottom.





I got started on this project last summer and started forming cases before I have an upper. Already have the lower built.





Still saving, had a couple of unexpected bills spring up and set me back.





But got a lot of cases formed anyway. I'm kind of backwards on this caliber, oh well.





First thing I did was put my dies in another box and make the rings into lock rings on my Lee dies. Link to that thread. Then bought a case gauge.





First try,










First thing I tried was necking up 223 cases (once fired RP cases) in the 300 blk sizing die.





They will split without lube. Middle of loading block on left.





Use some Imperial on a Q tip on the inside of the necks and they will expand up. Back of the loading block.










Close up, and I did get a couple of crumpled cases. Bottom right are cases I trimmed with a hack saw freehand. Didn't work out well and was slow.





You really have to press hard on the handle of a Rockchucker during case forming. Beware if using a light weight press.





So now cases have to be trimmed. A lathe trimmer would take forever, So I tried a drill press.
Used the trim head from a RCBS trimmer with a 223 pilot. To protect the thread, wrapped some blue masking tape around threads. Lightly tightened chuck of drill press.





Use 223 cases as is.










Can't hold case by hand, it will spin. Used a couple of layers of blue tape on vice grip jaws. No spin, no marks on cases.





Trim down to the bottom of the shoulder.





Debur case, lube and size in 300 blk die. Remove lube, final trim and final debur.





Case is ready to load. No inside reaming of case is needed.
Another method,





I have seen posts from people that buy a cheap $35-50, don't remember, Harbor Freight cut off saw to trim cases with.





They say to not over heat the motor or it will die. No experience with this method, but an option if you don't have a drill press.
Best method,










Custom made Dillon 1050 set up. Belongs to a friend, I took a couple of pics last time I was over forming cases.





Lubed 223 case in, formed 300 blk case out. Took me about 3 hours total to do 1k. Only brought over 500 cases the first visit.





Station 1 case feed


Station 2  223 sizing die


Station 3 swager, not needed with my RP cases


Station 4 priming, not in use


Station 5 blank, need room for trimmer


Station 6 trimmer with a 308 die cut down. Tool head cut down to get trimmer low enough. This is the custom part.


Station 7  blank, need room for trimmer


Station 8 300 blk size die






Lowered trimmer.










Final product.










What happens if you forget to turn the trimmer on, fail cases.















I'm ready when I get my upper.
 

I just thought it was , thanks for the reason why.

I have a 3 way in 22 cal. i don't have one in 30 cal.

I plan on getting the set up for my Giraud instead.

Trim 223 case to the bottom of the shoulder.

Then case will be long enough to trim to final length after forming in 300 blk sizing die.

Thank hrt4me, he asked me to post my pics in another thread, so I did.

If you have lots of wheels go for it. Rough trim length is the bottom of the shoulder.

Just posting what was asked by hrt4me.

Sic your wife on him.

I have also loaded 223 on that 1050, I see why the people who have them like them.

A 1050 is on my lottery list.

Sounds like you wife needs a couple of new presses.

Nice pic, yes nothing magical about reforming cases. Just something new to learn.

I just take a few pics while I'm doing what I normally do.

AssaultRifler was the one who inspired me with his great tutorials.

Going up from 22 cal to 30 cal is a huge jump, if you do it at once.

Steps would be; 22 to 6mm, 6mm to 7mm, 7mm to 30 cal would be considered a more normal sizing up operation.

I just wanted to see what would happen. So I tried it. Imperial really is good stuff.

I won't be doing that again, you really have to press down hard (two handed) on the Rockchuckers handle to make it work.

Not something I recommend with a lighter weight (aluminum) press.

Much better to trim cases to the bottom of the neck (rough trim), run case through sizing die and final trim.

How you rough trim doesn't matter, drill press, cut off saw, bandsaw. Use the tools you have, or you feel comfortable with.

Like so much in reloading, there are several ways "to get there". Try different techniques, find what works for you.

I never got a 7mm TCU barrel for my Contender. I understand that you may have to anneal the case mouths with that conversion.

I can see more splitting problems with that conversion as the whole case is used.

300 blk, we are cutting off the neck and possible brittle neck problems.

Were you using once fired brass with your 7mm TCU case forming?

Maybe consider annealing before case forming if you aren't.

Good luck

On my drill press, the RPM is 1560.

You could probably go a little faster but not too much.

Use what you have is the theme of this thread.

About 3 layers of tape on the vice grips.

2 layers of tape on the cutters threads, and only hand tighten the chuck.

Good luck

I'll be using a powder measure, not a scoop with a hole in it.

Nice pic.

Nice Pics and jig, a great addition to this thread Jailer.