What do I need to reload for .577/450 Martini-Henry?

Nabs

Nabs

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Hello,

A friend asked me recently what is needed to load for the Martini Henry round, and I have not a clue, other than you require some kind of larger than normal press.

Any and all info on what he would need to buy and where to get it, would be welcome gents! Specifically, press, dies, brass, bullets, (does he need to paper patch them? What diameter of bullets?), and loads if you have them for either BP or Smokeless. Also, I have heard a person can buy steel inserts for the gun to shoot .45 Long Colt and other calibers, any info on this and who does it? I believe I heard Del Selins Gunsmith in B.C. in passing but could be wrong.

Thank you
Nabs
 
I had one of those rifles and sold it. some of the boys on black powder night at the club had me slug the bore so I knew the diameter and then another guy cast me some bullets for a decient price . he needs brass which is expensive . I was charged $10 dollars for one peice of brass . it cost buddy near that to buy it. then your friend will need pimers black powder .

tell him to go to a club where they are well versed in the ways of black powder and those guys will more than likely be happy to show and tell your friend how to reload it safely . I was told to get a hardwood block and I drilled a hole in it and found a punch with a small diameter - skinny shaft which could reach the bottom of the brass to punch out the old primers after I fired a round .

I would set the brass case on the wooden block over the hole and knock the old primer out . if your not useing alot of black powder I was told to fill up some of the space with cornmeal .it was time consumeing . plus you need a device to seat a new primer in the case bottom . please get him to go see some well versed blackpowder guys at a club . just my opinion.
 
Magtech brass is about $80.00 for 50 pieces, but you will have to form it. Bertram Brass will cost you around $420.00 for 50 pieces but you are getting premium brass compared to the Magtech, the 577/450 MH 3 DIE SET will cost you $125.00.
If i was to save the most possible i would buy the Magtech brass from one of our sponsors like http://www.rustywood.ca/reload.html actually buy everything from him and form it myself .
A Lee press or RCBS press will work just fine.
 
Lee makes dies for the 577/450, but they only work with the classic cast press. There are smokeless loads available that work well, you just have to stuff the case with toilet paper to keep the powder at the bottom of the case for ignition.
 
OK, now you need to ask if you really have to load and use 577/450 brass. I recently picked up a chamber insert for mine from Del Selin's in Vernon BC for a very decent price. It easily converts the old girl to a 45 Colt. This is much more easly/cheaply come by and with black powder gives a very similar experience without the heavy recoil.
 
Apparently, there were a few different specs for the dimensions over the years, and between Marks.
The Lee dies will size the brass down to fit the tightest chamber.
Which means it under-sizes it for most guns...
I can fit the mouth of a sized brass INSIDE the mouth of a fired case. (I have a long lever Mk IV )
That will really overwork the brass in only a few sizings.
I am considering lathe turning the inside of the die to a larger dia.
I have the Cerrosafe metal to do a chamber cast already, but have not done so yet.
 
Oh, BTW, I recall reading somewhere that BRASS SHOTGUN hulls are exempt from the US export bullchit.
Is this correct?
PLEASE POST SUPPORTING LINKS OR DOCUMENTS.
 
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I buy all my brass hulls from Buffalo arms. Never have had a problem getting them shipped to Canada. FYI just keep your order under $200 US for USPS shipping,over that amount they will ship via courier and the shipping cost goes through the roof.
 
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