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View Full Version : My cure to cabin fever! 5.56 -> 277wlv



Livn277
12 February 2015, 16:39
Since I acquired around 1500 cases of 5.56 brass from the department's training range, and the Wisconsin winter is not being very shooter friendly, I've embarked on the task of turning all of them into 277 Wolverine cases to prime and box up for easy loading later on! With my SBR stamp coming any day now for my 10.5" 1:7 barrel and a suppressor purchase on the horizon, I'll be focusing all my time in the "Less cold" months working on subsonic loads for it!

Here's about 500 I have done so far for a little "Gratuitous Brass Porn" pic[:D]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/Livnoutdoorsxd9/0A855F6E-9C2A-49B6-93F9-D30C2809035F.jpg (http://s294.photobucket.com/user/Livnoutdoorsxd9/media/0A855F6E-9C2A-49B6-93F9-D30C2809035F.jpg.html)

FortTom
12 February 2015, 17:00
I've just about completed my .277 Wolverine. I'm using an 18in. barrel, though, which is primarily going to be my official coyote gun. Wish I worked for a "dept." so I could get free once fired brass..[:)]

Have fun. 1500 rounds is a lot to load, unless you're using a high end progressive reloader.

FT

Livn277
12 February 2015, 17:24
Awesome! I have my 16" ARP that I built this summer for a dual purpose deer and coyote rig. You're going to have a lot of fun with this round. I know I always grin when I pull the trigger!

Unfortunately the brass wasn't free, but at $2/ LB to fill up the buckets, it was a very fair deal. I don't plan on having all 1500 loaded, just ready to be loaded. A lot of work now to not have to worry about it for a while. Once my loads are developed, I'll throw the dies in the LnL AP and run some big batches!

Dstrbdmedic167
12 February 2015, 17:34
Looking good Livn! I've got a few hundred primed and ready to load. I've also got about 300rds loaded and ready to go.

I'm waiting on the 12.5" WLV barrels to arrive and then I'll start load developing.

Livn277
12 February 2015, 18:07
I thought I saw some familiar 'handles' around here!

I just want to have it all converted so I can focus on load development for hunting and the subsonic project!

Dstrbdmedic167
12 February 2015, 18:56
I thought I saw some familiar 'handles' around here!

I just want to have it all converted so I can focus on load development for hunting and the subsonic project!

Yea there are a few here! Yea I'm gearing up for the 12.5" subsonic barrels. I'm betting supers will be pretty dang close to the 16" arp's!

Livn277
12 February 2015, 19:20
Hopefully! Hard to say with them being 1:7" and the effect that might have on pressure. I'm excited regardless!

Dstrbdmedic167
12 February 2015, 19:34
Hopefully! Hard to say with them being 1:7" and the effect that might have on pressure. I'm excited regardless!

Indeed! But I think we will be good! And yes I'm like a kid at Christmas!!

Livn277
20 February 2015, 11:20
Just ran all of my converted brass through my home built annealer! They'll go into the SS media tumbler once I finish building that!

http://youtu.be/WnghijHWBQs

GaSwamper
21 February 2015, 18:35
Welcome Livn, good to have ya here. I've converted just a tad over 1000 for the WLV from LC brass, it's alota freakin work when you get around 800 to 1000. I've got a permanent blister now

Dstrbdmedic167
21 February 2015, 18:39
Welcome Livn, good to have ya here. I've converted just a tad over 1000 for the WLV from LC brass, it's alota freakin work when you get around 800 to 1000. I've got a permanent blister now

I remember when I first started converting brass. I texted mark like wtf I must be doing something wrong bc I've got a helluva blister. I did like a 1000 In one day. He said he didn't have any problems but he wasn't doing but at most a couple hundred at a time. Whe I told him how many I had done he was changed his tune and understood where the bolster came from.

Dstrbdmedic167
21 February 2015, 18:40
Just ran all of my converted brass through my home built annealer! They'll go into the SS media tumbler once I finish building that!

http://youtu.be/WnghijHWBQs

I'm gonna need you to make me one of these or just send that one. K thanks..

Livn277
21 February 2015, 18:55
I have my saw set up so it leaves only .075-.100" to be trimmed, then I take them over to the drill press mounted trimmer (Dead-On Trimmer) and run through the brass. I have a leather welding glove to hold the brass. It works very well, but nothing will stop the cramping. I did about 500 in one sitting and decided not to do that again. Now I do batches of 150 every once in a while.

Dstrbd- I'm considering making a couple of units to sell. Not quite sure how many or when, but I'll let ya know!

Dstrbdmedic167
21 February 2015, 19:05
I have my saw set up so it leaves only .075-.100" to be trimmed, then I take them over to the drill press mounted trimmer (Dead-On Trimmer) and run through the brass. I have a leather welding glove to hold the brass. It works very well, but nothing will stop the cramping. I did about 500 in one sitting and decided not to do that again. Now I do batches of 150 every once in a while.

Dstrbd- I'm considering making a couple of units to sell. Not quite sure how many or when, but I'll let ya know!

I've got enough to only run a 100 or so at a time but it's still not perfect bc I only do with the WTF 2.

Let me know hopefully it won't break the bank.

Jerry R
22 February 2015, 13:09
Just ran all of my converted brass through my home built annealer! They'll go into the SS media tumbler once I finish building that!

http://youtu.be/WnghijHWBQs

Watched the video ---------- that is just TOO Cool !!

alamo5000
22 February 2015, 14:05
.277 Wolverine.

I am interested.

What's the story behind this round? What's it's claim to fame?

Dstrbdmedic167
22 February 2015, 14:26
.277 Wolverine.

I am interested.

What's the story behind this round? What's it's claim to fame?

It started a long time ago in a galaxy far far away... J/K

I started about two years ago when Mark at Mad Dog Weapon Systems had an idea. In short it's a 277 caliber projectile in a resized 5.56 case. Projectiles range from 85-110 in most cases with a few outside that window. We are actually just getting started on a slower twist barrel to help stabilize the heavy bullets. Standard rifles are 1/11 and the new sub barrels are 1/7. The sub barrels are designed with 150-200gr projectiles at subsonic rounds in mind but testing is just starting with the sub barrels.

This all came when Mark wanted 6.8spc performance but didn't want to change parts. ie- Barrel, bolt and mags. With the 277 wolverine it is just a barrel change and uses a standard 556 bolt and mags. The 277WLV pushes 90gr Gold dot projectile up to 2800fps from a 16" barrel with .38" MOA. The 1/11 twist 10.5 will push the same up to 2550. It s a great round IMO and one of my favs and go rifles. I actually got rid of my 6.8 stuff because it can do what I want without proprietary components.

Also the 1st birthday of the 1st wolverine shot was just last week. It's gone far in just a years time.

Livn277
23 February 2015, 23:35
.277 Wolverine.

I am interested.

What's the story behind this round? What's it's claim to fame?

A brief outline of the benefits of this young, but very viable round includes:

-Plentiful and cheap (and often free) .223/5.56 brass

-Milspec bolts and magazines--simple barrel swap

-Superior supersonic ballistics to the 300Blk, with supsonice anticipated to perform almost as well.

-Very similar ballistics (if not the same or better) to factory 6.8spc loadings . Per Federal, their 6.8 loading of the 90g Gold Dot is 2604fps whereas the 90g Gold Dot in the 277WLV can achieve that speed very easily and very safely.


Here is a link to an article that Western Powder published on the WLV:
http://blog.westernpowders.com/2014/12/the-277-wolverine-birth-of-a-wildcat/

alamo5000
24 February 2015, 17:30
It started a long time ago in a galaxy far far away... J/K

I started about two years ago when Mark at Mad Dog Weapon Systems had an idea. In short it's a 277 caliber projectile in a resized 5.56 case. Projectiles range from 85-110 in most cases with a few outside that window. We are actually just getting started on a slower twist barrel to help stabilize the heavy bullets. Standard rifles are 1/11 and the new sub barrels are 1/7. The sub barrels are designed with 150-200gr projectiles at subsonic rounds in mind but testing is just starting with the sub barrels.

This all came when Mark wanted 6.8spc performance but didn't want to change parts. ie- Barrel, bolt and mags. With the 277 wolverine it is just a barrel change and uses a standard 556 bolt and mags. The 277WLV pushes 90gr Gold dot projectile up to 2800fps from a 16" barrel with .38" MOA. The 1/11 twist 10.5 will push the same up to 2550. It s a great round IMO and one of my favs and go rifles. I actually got rid of my 6.8 stuff because it can do what I want without proprietary components.

Also the 1st birthday of the 1st wolverine shot was just last week. It's gone far in just a years time.

WOW.

I learn so much stuff coming here. That sounds amazing. This is definitely one that could be on the short list.

Dstrbdmedic167
24 February 2015, 17:32
WOW.

I learn so much stuff coming here. That sounds amazing. This is definitely one that could be on the short list.

He's got some awesome sales on some barrels right now! And ammo, while a little pricey, can be had unless you reload then it's just as much as any other round.

alamo5000
24 February 2015, 17:46
He's got some awesome sales on some barrels right now! And ammo, while a little pricey, can be had unless you reload then it's just as much as any other round.

I am still learning and tuning my AR right now. But looking down the road I have a couple of options for the next one... a suppressed 300 Blackout and about 5000 subs is one...and maybe a longer range rifle is another.

The super suppressed stuff is pretty much going to be blackout with the aim being ear muff less shooting. I might SBR it as well, I don't know yet. On that note I could drop a couple hundred on a threaded barrel for my Sig P226 and suppress that as well. (I am trying to get very specific in my wants and their purpose)

I am curious as to the ballistics of this Wolverine. The fact that it's on a standard upper and lower and bolt and all that is mighty appealing.

Dstrbdmedic167
24 February 2015, 17:48
Ballistics are just as good or better(bullet dependent) with supers over the 300blk. The standard parts list also intrigued me. Check out the WLV forum when you get a chance

alamo5000
24 February 2015, 18:15
Ballistics are just as good or better(bullet dependent) with supers over the 300blk. The standard parts list also intrigued me. Check out the WLV forum when you get a chance

Geez man. I am getting ahead of myself here but this is pretty tempting. I have learn a lot more before I commit to one or the other or both. I need to DTP (define the purpose) of every caliber that I plan to keep. Suppression is definitely in my future, but how to get there is another thing all together. Going long range is another thing I might want to do as well. I just don't know what I will do.