I had a fellow size my 24 ga brass I previously shortened to 2 " and annealed in C+H dies. They didn't chamber in my gun....I know specs are all over the map. Left a couple cases with another fellow who has RCBS dies and Bingo they fit. Here's the issue, I have no projectiles other than some .592 diameter solid based conicals at 448gr. Too big as the FL sizer necked the brass to between .571-.573 " inside diameter. Can these be fireformed without projectile and if so with what? I have FG ,FFG + Unique on hand. Dacron or corn meal ? I hear contradicting stories of chamber ringing. Can a Parifin wax plug be used?
fireforming 24ga brass to .577 Snider
- Thread starter mbogo3
- Start date
Your cases need to have the mouths expanded. I would either make an expander up or take them back to the fellow that sized them as he should have a full die set. Take your bullets also so he can adjust the die for your bullets.
Another option is breech seating your bullets or using a round ball.
The best option is having your own dies. Any cases I have made for people are fully sized with mouths expanded.
Another option is breech seating your bullets or using a round ball.
The best option is having your own dies. Any cases I have made for people are fully sized with mouths expanded.
I have no idea as to the required bullet/ball diameter? The fellow wasn't too keen on my request to have the other 23 trimmed/annealed brass sized so don't think he will be helping after the next visit $$$$$$. He said he needed shims in the RCBS dies to do the two cases he tried.Too much diddling around for him and that I understand.
mbogo3: You could order some .575ish minie bullets and use them to fireform- that's what the dies are meant for. As with JP, I have used Lee dies from the start with no problems. As far as the bullets you have, you could try rolling them between flat steel sheets in an effort to resize them down to something that could be squeezed into your re-sized cases. Try using some cone shaped random object to flare the mouths- I have a brass ball peen hammer that has a nice cone shaped side that works perfectly with Snider brass. Re-loading these old things is all about improvisation. Regarding case length, 2.00" is way too long. Most of my Sniders digest cases shortened to 1.95" but I have one BSA that requires 1.90" cases. Original ammo varies greatly but much of the stuff i have in my collection is even shorter than 1.90". Snider rifle chambers are actually quite uniform as machining in 1866 wasn't as primitive as some would suggest. I've done chamber casts on around 10 and was quite surprised at their uniformity, particularly given that they included BSA, LSA, and Enfield.
milsurpo
milsurpo
My 2 " cases fit fine as well as the one experimental 1.913 I just need to fireform them to see what my chamber specs are? Mine's a 1867 BSA MKII** I've read LEE dies size brass too much and don't allow the use of the correct diameter bullets in relationship to your correct bore size.No .577 ball or bullets where I'm at.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I have never fireformed .577 rass but have done a pile of 45-70 necked down to 38-56 and then fireformed in the chamber, all with 8 or 10 grn of Unique powder and a white glue neck plug....these work perfectly to chamber but you will need to have a case neck expander to set your case mouth grip to your bullet size....that was with smokeless powder but i did try some .348 brass into .50 cal brass for a Rem RB in 12.44 with black powder and that didnt work so well, very eratic results and i gave up on that and bit the bullet on purchase price of factory.
I think you live in or around RD Ab. and if you need help making expander plugs to fit your brass or bullets I can probably help you out...I'm 30 min east of RD and have a lathe in the shop. You will probably need to buy a length of 7/8-14 ready rod to get us started. PM me a phone # if your interested.
I think you live in or around RD Ab. and if you need help making expander plugs to fit your brass or bullets I can probably help you out...I'm 30 min east of RD and have a lathe in the shop. You will probably need to buy a length of 7/8-14 ready rod to get us started. PM me a phone # if your interested.
Sizing die can be backed off for a partial sizing. Lee dies do work well. I have a set C-H made for Herters press, different thread than most. If you where closer I could help you out. I assume you have the 24 ga Magtec brass which what I have used. The front part of the case is the issue as it’s too big. Your going to have to find someone close to to resize the rest of your cases or break down and buy a die set. These are larger size dies so you would need a press that handles them. I have the Lee with a bushing that is removed.
Fire forming the two cases you have is easy. 70 grs of 2f and use cork wads to fill the rest of the case. Drop the bullet in the chamber, push it in with the case.
If your going to play with these old guns you should have your gear as it is a pain relying on someone else for sizing and bullets. I have 3 moulds I have tried Lee minnie’s and Accurate mould. The accurate bullets I am still testing, showing good results so far. It’s a 500 gr 0.595 solid base bullet.
Fire forming the two cases you have is easy. 70 grs of 2f and use cork wads to fill the rest of the case. Drop the bullet in the chamber, push it in with the case.
If your going to play with these old guns you should have your gear as it is a pain relying on someone else for sizing and bullets. I have 3 moulds I have tried Lee minnie’s and Accurate mould. The accurate bullets I am still testing, showing good results so far. It’s a 500 gr 0.595 solid base bullet.
You could try fire forming by loading shot. The over shot wad I would glue in using regular wood glue to help build up pressure.
There are excellent videos on this topic on the British Militaria Forum site under 'general interest', or just do a search for Snider Enfield reloading. Rob the videographer suggests using a smaller calibre bullet for the purpose and then a larger one once it's done. Jet Bullets in Alberta supply two different sizes of bullet which work perfectly, a .578" hollow base for fireforming and a .600" for use thereafter. Of note is the fact that once the brass is fireformed to a specific Snider it sometimes is not usable in another because of variations in the sizing of the chamber. I have three Sniders and each has its own ammunition. Case length can be an issue also, as mentioned, and especially with the larger bullet.
Also, fwiw, I do not use any dies for reloading. I get my brass from Martyn at xringservices and after fireforming it can be reloaded manually, also as outlined by Rob in the videos. I use 62 grains of FFg with cornmeal as a filler.
Also, fwiw, I do not use any dies for reloading. I get my brass from Martyn at xringservices and after fireforming it can be reloaded manually, also as outlined by Rob in the videos. I use 62 grains of FFg with cornmeal as a filler.
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Well that was fun loaded two shot shells last night before bed to experiment with fireforming case and smoked a grouse with one this am at about 20ft. 60gr FG /1/8" 20ga cork wad tamped down/equal volume of #8 shot followed by another 20ga cork wad and white wood glue allowed to set over night. Measured inside of brass case neck [Magtech] .590" What size projectiles should I be looking at ?
Lyman 0.578’s work well. I have a 0.595 which is working well. The shot charge may not have fully expanded the case. A lot closer than what you had. When my cases expanded they would let the 0.595 enter easily.
Make sure you're not just seeing a rapid taper at the mouth due to the case extending into the "leade" and conforming to it. If it is seeing the end of the chamber just remove that part. I shoot around 8 Sniders and have yet to see fireformed brass not accept a .60" bullet quite easily. X-Ring will get you a .590" mold but the best results will come from .60's. Jet bullets sells good ones which I use when I don't have time to cast a batch.
milsurpo
With conicals what weight is best in a 3 groove 1-78 twist? It was originally a an 1863 musket. I can squeeze a .592 slug in I'll fire form with that and a 70gr dose of FG then remeasure the brass.Perhaps my brass is too long at 2"? What length should I trim them to?
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
Ohh damn forgot to answer that PM, sorry man, will be done today. We dont want SS some machines freely but some is very hard to machine and i dont know the grades well enough to waste money on wrong one LOL.
I have drilled 7 machined gr 8 bolts so think gr 3 ready rod 7/8-14. I think it will give enough wall thickness if we have to manually ream a case mouth sizer die.
another option to consider is if you have a press with the 1" threaded socket that has the 7/8 die adapter threaded into it. I dont recall the thread pitch of the one inch opening but we could easily match thread pitch. I find either ABS or RD bolt LTD both carry a full stock of Ready rod ( both very north end of Gaetz)
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My home made expanders are made out of brass. My 303 British one has done over 6000 cases and still going.
