So now that I've just barely gotten back into reloading, I'm planning to jump a few levels of difficulty right off the bat and convert some rifle brass into pistol brass. Specifically cutting down and reforming some 308 into 44AMT. We've got some factory brass and a few live rounds from the 70s for reference, but will definitely want to supplement the supply. I've looked at the case schematics in my Lyman manual for each, seems like it requires trimming the rifle brass down and doing general case prep is about it.
I have to be missing something, or rather just want to make sure I'm not. Is there more to it that I'm overlooking?
The urgency behind this project is that my best friend has the dies and one of these beasts laying around:
Re: Converting brass
2Automag...
DROOL
Sorry, I know this post wasn't helpful.
DROOL
Sorry, I know this post wasn't helpful.
Last edited by ErikO on Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich the chicken and cow are involved while the pig is committed.
Re: Converting brass
3http://www.theliberalgunclub.com/phpBB3 ... it=forming
The link covers me turning British 303 into Savage 303. It's a pain in the neck. I eventually found some made.
For your job I'd cut the length first, leaving .05" or so to fiddle with at the end of the process. I lubed the bejesus out of my brass then reformed in short increments on a single stage press until the brass was reshaped from end to end. For some brass it's hard to get that last little bit above the rim in the die. You may need to shape/trim/shape/trim
The link covers me turning British 303 into Savage 303. It's a pain in the neck. I eventually found some made.
For your job I'd cut the length first, leaving .05" or so to fiddle with at the end of the process. I lubed the bejesus out of my brass then reformed in short increments on a single stage press until the brass was reshaped from end to end. For some brass it's hard to get that last little bit above the rim in the die. You may need to shape/trim/shape/trim
Puffing up is no substitute for smarts but it's a common home remedy
Re: Converting brass
5Oh I get it, no worries. He said he had this neat old 70s gun and then just opened the box....HOLY SHIT DUDE DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THAT IS!? or words to that effect was my immediate reaction. It's also been my subsequent reaction.ErikO wrote:Automag...
DROOL
Sorry, I know this post wasn't helpful.
Re: Converting brass
6Books books books, what would the world be without books. From my book The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions by John & Judy Donnelly, 44 Auto Mag, make from 308win or 30-06 brass, cut case to 1.298" inside neck ream to hold .429 bullet. Chamfer and solvent clean. F/L size. Chase chamfer and load.
Sierra 180gr JHP 29.3gr W296. 1650 FPS.
Hornaday 240gr JHP 20.8gr 2400. 1350fps.
Sierra 180gr JHP 29.3gr W296. 1650 FPS.
Hornaday 240gr JHP 20.8gr 2400. 1350fps.
"Hillary Clinton is the finest, bravest, kindest, the most wonderful person I've ever known in my whole life" Raymond Shaw
Re: Converting brass
7annealing may or may not be a good idea depending on the brass you start with.
For converting in quantity, I'd probably get a neck ream die.
For converting in quantity, I'd probably get a neck ream die.
Re: Converting brass
8Damn....that's perfect. Thanks!eelj wrote:Books books books, what would the world be without books. From my book The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions by John & Judy Donnelly, 44 Auto Mag, make from 308win or 30-06 brass, cut case to 1.298" inside neck ream to hold .429 bullet. Chamfer and solvent clean. F/L size. Chase chamfer and load.
Sierra 180gr JHP 29.3gr W296. 1650 FPS.
Hornaday 240gr JHP 20.8gr 2400. 1350fps.
Re: Converting brass
9Good tip. There'll be a fair amount of cautious trial batches at first I imagine as spare parts are scarce at best. Once we get things sorted though, that could be very worthwhile.Fukshot wrote:annealing may or may not be a good idea depending on the brass you start with.
For converting in quantity, I'd probably get a neck ream die.
Re: Converting brass
11RCBS makes a set of case forming dies for cheap http://www.midwayusa.com/product/699788 ... pringfield seeing how that big auto will be throwing that brass all over the place losing much of it you will be able to get a lot of use from the investment.
"Hillary Clinton is the finest, bravest, kindest, the most wonderful person I've ever known in my whole life" Raymond Shaw
Re: Converting brass
12eelj wrote:RCBS makes a set of case forming dies for cheap http://www.midwayusa.com/product/699788 ... pringfield seeing how that big auto will be throwing that brass all over the place losing much of it you will be able to get a lot of use from the investment.
$316.99
Rebate available!
Well thankfully they make them affordable...holy crap.