Drilling Shell Casings

[ncboyntx]

I tried drilling a 7mm hole in a 30-30 shell casing and had problems getting the hole centered. You would think the drill would line up centered with the cap hole but mine didn't. It is off centered enough to make a difference when joining the upper barrel. I used a drill press vise with a V shape notch to hold the casing, same as I do my wood blanks. Is there a better way to drill these?

TIA

 

[gerryr]

I drill mine on the lathe. My Nova Midi chuck holds them tight enough they don't spin and doesn't leave any marks.

 

[Fangar]

Here is a link to a post I made a while back...

http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12516&whichpage=1#125331

 

[ncboyntx]

OK...I have a Nova Midi. I will give that a try. Fangar's idea looks good too. I don't have the collett insert he shows but maybe there is one available for the Nova.

Thanks guys.

 

[Skye]

I think he made the wooden insert.

 

[Fangar]

Skye is correct. With a little patience, and a hard piece of stock (Maple, Ironwood, etc) you can make the insert.

Fangar