Doug,
That's a beauty of a Model 8! You don't see 'em in that great a condition very often.
I'm trying to make sure I fully understand what you're doing to prep and test the shortened 35 Remington cases. I am not surprised that they cycle well; there just isn't enough neck being trimmed away for it to cause issues, from what I can see. Also, I really like your idea of leaving those short cases in the magazine while firing full power loads, to determine whether or not you get any set back. I would be happy to use mine as a 1+1, but knowing I wouldn't HAVE TO is a good thing.
Now, to what I'm a little fuzzy on. You're saying, if you find the shortened neck doesn't supply enough tension, you're going to size the case W/O the expander button, so that the neck gets squeezed down, but not back up...and then you're going to flare the case mouth, like a pistol round, before seating the bullet? If I've got that right, it just might be a stroke of genius. Frankly, I am thinking that would be a perfect solution, IF there is a problem. For the guys attempting to shorten a 358 Winchester case (only leaves .150" neck) it might just be required!
I would be very interested to hear further results, if/when you have the time. Is that 165gr bullet a hard cast, gas-checked "boolit"? In other words, could you drive it to ~2,300fps and hunt with it?
Jason
That's a beauty of a Model 8! You don't see 'em in that great a condition very often.
I'm trying to make sure I fully understand what you're doing to prep and test the shortened 35 Remington cases. I am not surprised that they cycle well; there just isn't enough neck being trimmed away for it to cause issues, from what I can see. Also, I really like your idea of leaving those short cases in the magazine while firing full power loads, to determine whether or not you get any set back. I would be happy to use mine as a 1+1, but knowing I wouldn't HAVE TO is a good thing.
Now, to what I'm a little fuzzy on. You're saying, if you find the shortened neck doesn't supply enough tension, you're going to size the case W/O the expander button, so that the neck gets squeezed down, but not back up...and then you're going to flare the case mouth, like a pistol round, before seating the bullet? If I've got that right, it just might be a stroke of genius. Frankly, I am thinking that would be a perfect solution, IF there is a problem. For the guys attempting to shorten a 358 Winchester case (only leaves .150" neck) it might just be required!
I would be very interested to hear further results, if/when you have the time. Is that 165gr bullet a hard cast, gas-checked "boolit"? In other words, could you drive it to ~2,300fps and hunt with it?
Jason