forming 43 mauser cases with a press

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triggerman42

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Has anybody actually had a button die made from steel , to form the 348 Winchester cases into the 43 mauser cases?
I have seen pictures of this die on the net. It forms the "A" shaped case head into the flat 348 Winchester case , with the help of a proper diameter steel rod that fits down the mouth of the case. The whole set-up is carefully aligned in a press and under pressure , the new case head is formed. The larger rim of the 348 Winchester is pushed forward , as the new, "A" shaped case head is formed , and trimmed off later to the proper diametor. It seems the way to go to me. But I don't read anything on here about this method.
Is anyone doing this?
Please don't answer with how you make your 43 mauser cases from 300 magnum or other belted cases.
I just want to know if anybody has had good success , and actually accomplished this die + press method.
I think it's an avenue worth a little more exploring.
My neighbor has a large shop press. I'm contemplating having a die made up to try this .
 
triggerman42 said:
I guess the answer to my question was "NO" , lol.
Click to expand...

Well, I have had the good fortune to stockpile a fair stash of factory ammo and brass over the years for my 43 Mauser rifles. That being said as an old time handloader I have also dabbled in the caseforming of 43 Mauser brass out of belted magnum brass and 45-90 brass for instance.
The 348 Win avenue sounds interesting but since I have had no direct experience with that approach I didn't feel I had anything to add to your initial post.
I should add though that some of the 45-90 brass I used has 348 Win. headstamps , they were formed by a process I assume was similar to what you are describing although the original rim is still present, ie not formed into the Mauser A base.
 
It could be done but why? There are easier routes and less expensive. In all the different case forming I have done this is a hard to do route. Much easier to form from your 45-70 and longer case. I have made up short cases from 45-70 with a base ring which worked well. 45-90 with a 3/8 high base ring was the best I found. You couldn't full length resize due to the ring coming. Eventually I found enough 43 Mauser cases and stopped using my reformed cases. 43 Mauser cases are available new from many sources Bertrum ,DKT , Bell,Jameson and probably others. I look at the price of the parent brass,how much work and compare it to the price of new brass to decide which route to take. Your route I believe will cost as much as new cases. 348 Winchester is over 2 dollars a case from Jameson plus the work of making tools to perform the job plus your time. Just the thoughts of someone who enjoys old oddball rounds that cases can't be found for. 43 Mauser cases are easily ordered new.
 
My buddy with a lathe made a die for me to make A-shaped cases as you describe. I used a heavy hammer rather than a press. I have .43 Spanish cases made from .348 Winchester cases and .43 Mauser cases made from .45/90 cases. Both need the A-base. The .348 Winchester cases are too wide in diameter to fit into my .43 Mauser, but your gun may be able to take them.
 
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