Problems with fireforming 303 Brass for 410 shells

[44minimum]

Here's a question for you guys out there that have been through this before. What am I doing wrong? I was trying to fire form this Brass so that I can make 410 shells. Here is what I was using -New Winchester Brass that was annealed, Remington large rifle primers, six grains bull's eye powder, filled to the top with cream of wheat. I'm going to try to add a picture here so that you can see the results. In the picture, on the left is a case that bulged, in the middle a new 303 case, on the right a case that had the base wrapped with two turns of masking tape and filled with powder and cream of wheat and fired. Both of these cases were bulged and very difficult to extract, had to use pliers. One person said sometimes they don't do right the first time so I loaded them the same and fired again. I've not ever fire formed anything before so I could use some guidance here. A 444 Marlin loaded with powder and shot extracts easily and I might just have to use them for my project. I will have to purchase them but I'd rather use the 50 new pieces of 303 Brass that I have. Anybody have any ideas?It wouldn't let me add a picture because it was too big and I can't figure out how to shrink it. Each case is buldged out approximately one half way up the case, enough to make it real hard to extract.

[Ed Barrett]

If you are going to buy brass, why don't you just buy all brass 410 cases to begin with? several places sell them I bought some 12 and 28 guage a few years ago from Graf's or midway can't remember. supposed to prime with pistol primers. I have reloaded the 28 guages about 4 or 5 times and never had a problem.

[Pepe Ray]

Ed.
The 410 brass is good, if it accomplishes your goals. It is the shortest of the available cases and so , in most instances, does not get the slug close enough to the rifling for reasonable accuracy. The 444 is pretty good as it needs nor blowing out and is longer. The 303B has obvious shortcomings. That's his problem. He's already bought a bag of new brass and is trying to avoid buying the 444's.
Suggestion;--- Maybe there's someone on the board who's in need of 303 brass and would help you out.
There's lots of time before spring to get a reply.
Pepe Ray

[Jim]

MidwayUSA has 25 rds. of .410 brass for $19.99.

[Slowpoke]

The 303's i made into .410's I necked up with a 35 cal expander then a 40 cal expander then loaded them with primer, powder, card and filler wads 1/2 oz of shot and over shot wad put a few wraps of tape around case head to center in chamber and fired.

Maybe you have something in your loading gear that would work to neck up with.

good luck

[Ed Barrett]

As far as length is concerned the all brass 410 schell is longer than the .444 ans .303 Brit. I show in the photo a 410 case next to a .303 Brotish case. According to my reloading books the .303 ans .444 are 2.20 inches long the 410 case mesures 2.36 inches long.

[Ed Barrett]

I'll try picture again.

[racepres]

44Min: You don't say what you topped your fireform loading with. I use a wax plugthe first time, then either a lead ball or [if it fits] a wad w/ shot and an overshot card.. MV
BTW Probably a real good idea to open em up w/ an expander the first time... But, I never have...

[44minimum]

The first time I fire formed I used powder and filled the case with cream of wheat. Now I'm going to use some powder and a normal load of shot and see how that works. I have already ordered 50 new pieces of 444 Brass but I'm going to keep playing with these just to see how it works out. I probably should have just bought 50 Brass 410 cases to start with but that cost $50.00 and 50 new 303 cases was $18.00. I was trying to get by cheap and ended up in the long run spending more, seems like I do that from time to time. But, I am learning about fireforming and my little nephew is as well. Time and money well spent.

[racepres]

The more you load those 303's the closer to "perfection" you will get.. Heck sometimes it takes 3 or 4 loadings to get them "just so", I'm afraid you will just have to shoot more!!! MV

[clintsfolly]

starting 3/1 Midway has .410 brass cases on sale $17.99/25 clint