Casings the long and short of it

[ctEaglesc]

I found a bunch of casings I had drilled a long time ago.I remembered why I decided not to make a pen out of them.
I think they are 308's but not sure because they were drilled for a wood core.
I do know I had to trim a standard length tube from a slimline kit for the wood core as it was "proud" of the casing, the casing being just under 2" and the tubes are about 2&1/16.

I realized why I didn't use this caliber casing for a standard pen.
Even though the tubes are relatively close in length, the pen appears to be "top heavy"
This is a cute pen, might be nice for a lady.
Here it is compared to a 30-06.I use Euro tubes so the pen has a "balance" to it.
Both casings are the same diameter but note the difference a little more length in the bottom makes.
overall length of the short pen is 5"
The more balanced 30-06 is almost 5&3/8ths

If anyone wants some short casings I have a few, I wouldn't bother to use them in the future.I aint even going to drill the rest out they are not worth it.
OPn second thought I may cut them shorter and make "longwoods" out of them.That's the beauty of the wood core, they can be "mosidfied"

 

[Skye]

How about cutting the primer end off one, flipping it over and using it as part of the upper barrel? That'll remove some of the top heavy look maybe.

 

[ctEaglesc]

Originally posted by Skye
<br />How about cutting the primer end off one, flipping it over and using it as part of the upper barrel? That'll remove some of the top heavy look maybe.

I have done that in the past, I actually used the "magnum band" as a CB on the top section.I even contemplated getting the off cut gold plated.The construction would be the same as a PSI euro.
When I cam up withthe idea of turning the tenon of the end of the upper section it solved that problem.
Why go through all the work, using 2 casings when the 30-06 works perfectly with a method that is transferable to other calibers?
Here's an example similar to what you suggested only I used one casing and cut it even with the top of the wood core.I used the off cut for the CB.With the wood core and a tenon on the top section I get the same effect.
This is one of my first and still my favorite.

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sorry for the blur but you get the idea

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[Skye]

Well, there's no good reason to do it other than to use the 308s you've already got rather than pitching them.

 

[NavyDiver]

I agree that I like the look of the longer pen better.

 

[ctEaglesc]

Originally posted by Skye
<br />Well, there's no good reason to do it other than to use the 308s you've already got rather than pitching them.

MAybe so, but when I looking for casings to buy I don't purposely buy those that insure the finished pen has a "top" heavy look to it.
Take the casings out of the picture.I wouldn't purposely make a wood pen with the same look.I am sure I am not the only one who has made a Euro with a long top and short bottom and after making that mistake vowed never to repeat it.
I sell these quite a bit and when I take them to the merchant that is going to carry them they have to "look" right as well as be the best I can make.

 

[bob393]

I prefer the 30-06 myself.

 

[Jcraigg]

I think the 30-06 looks the best also 308 just dosent look right JMO

Jeff

 

[johncrane]

yes it does look good Eagle []

 

[Fangar]

Eagle,

I remembered you said that you didn't like the look of this one as much as my 300's, but now you see why I didn't like the top heavy feel of it with the wood having to be so long (Antler in your case). It still serves a purpose I guess...

Fangar