Reforming brass to another caliber .303 Brit to 44-40

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Bassmaster

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I was just perusing the The Handloader's Manual Of Cartridge Conversions by John J . Donnelly and was curious about finding the appropriate brass for forming to 44-40. I have a few cases, but am always looking for more. The brass suggested for this conversion was the .303 Brit. The dimensions look good, where it's important, and I have a crap ton of 303 brass. Anyone ever attempt this particular conversion??
I have reformed brass before and have had success with it, both in the dies and fireforming. Curious mind at work here, lol

Edit: The brass will be for a 94 Marlin
 
That book has some interesting ideas and gives some dimensions. In practice I've seldom used the methods described. Using that book and Cartridges Of The World I compare measurements and then do a lot searches on castboolits, ASSRA or other forums for ideas that are commonly used these days.

The availability of brass changes over time and the donor brass is sometimes more rare than what they are making from it.

All that said, I would never trash 303br for 44-40 because they are similar in value, 44-40 is *usually* easy to find, and the amount of finicky machining required is going to be time consuming.
These days supplies are more sporadic but I got a couple hundred 44-40 at the Calgary gunshow this spring when I needed it.
 
I truly appreciate the responses, but I'm going to forge on, because that's who I am, lol. I'll use what I have on hand, the brass intended is already trashed anyway for various, obvious reasons.
I have a passion for this stuff, and am retired....I've got the time and resources. I'll make up 10~20 cases and see how it goes. I know when to give up....I'll be careful, I promise, lol
 
I do a fair bit of case forming. Currently in the middle of forming 44 shotshell, based on 44-40 just longer. I have a few original shot cases to use as reference. Won’t have to worry about neck thick as will be using over shot wads. I have small lathe that comes in handy for such projects.
The biggest challenge is figuring how, which steps need be done in which order. I usually make a couple of cases up and then do a bunch in steps so that everything is as consistent as possible.
With the lathe it is much easier to form cases than using other hand tools which will do the job but much slower and not as consistent.
Donnelly’s book gives you an idea but sometimes I just laugh because I have found other cases that are much closer in dimensions than the ones he is using. George Nonte also has a good book out on case forming. Well before Donelley’s time.
When I first bought my Tokarev 7.62x25 I couldn’t find any cases anywhere. So I made up some from 223 and 38 special. Now you can find reloadable cases everywhere.
Try finding 8x50R. I just made a batch up out of 7.62 x 54R. Once you learn how to make cases you learn to make any gun shot when no ammunition is available.
Have fun.
 
It can be fun to give it a shot and see how it works out. Let us know what you come up with.

I've got some trimmed shortened 44-40 I need to thin the rims for 11mm French ordinance. Did some 32-20 that also need the rims thinned for 7.5 Swiss revolver though about half work as is. Made 32-40 from 30-30, 40-70 from 303 and 9.3x74r, 50 army rolling block from 32ga brass shotgun shells and others I can't think of at the moment. 9.4 Dutch revolver shells from 41mag was the most difficult so far.
 
I’ve made 351 WSL out of 357MAX brass. I have a lathe to make the extractor cut. Time consuming but much cheaper than Qual Cart or Bertram. Also just made 50 35 Remington out of 308 brass. My next project is 43 Egyptian out of 50-90 or Magtech 32 gauge hulls if I can find them. I’ve also made my own dies and sizers to match. That’s really labour intensive but part of the fun.
 
mac100 said:
My next project is 43 Egyptian out of 50-90 or Magtech 32 gauge hulls if I can find them. I’ve also made my own dies and sizers to match. That’s really labour intensive but part of the fun.
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h**ps://bilozir.net/ was able to order 32ga for me a few years ago. A half hour ago he had a bunch of Magtech brass on his table in Fort McLeod but I didn't look at the sizes.
 
mac100 said:
I’ve made 351 WSL out of 357MAX brass. I have a lathe to make the extractor cut. Time consuming but much cheaper than Qual Cart or Bertram. Also just made 50 35 Remington out of 308 brass. My next project is 43 Egyptian out of 50-90 or Magtech 32 gauge hulls if I can find them. I’ve also made my own dies and sizers to match. That’s really labour intensive but part of the fun.
Click to expand...

Much cheaper and easier to just make 351SL cases out of .223 remingon cases and it's always readily available at the LGS
 
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