38-56 brass to 45-70

[jp49]

I have 50 new 38-56 cases I can't use. Would it be possible to blow them back out to use in my 45-70? I say 'blow them back out' because they are head stamped 45-70 Govt. If they can be blown back out by fire forming how would be the best way to accomplish that?

I appreciate any advice anyone might offer.

[country gent]

Sizing necking down lengthens brass sizing necking up shortens it. This brass having been reformed and trimmed to 38-56 size and length may be pretty short when blown back out to 45-70. The additional working of the brass would require annealing probably too. MAybe sell it on swaping and selling then buy 45-70 new brass

[skeettx]

You live anywhere near Amarillo??

[jp49]

Thanks for your replies. Will have to see if anyone wants to buy or trade.

Sorry, not close to Amarillo. I'm located in extreme North Missouri.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

If you attempt to blow them back out then the first step would have to be to anneal them to cut down the possibility of splitting the necks. A charge of around 10 grains of Red Dot in the case covered with lots of tissue paper packed down would suffice. The cases might come out a bit short, but the question would be how much. I don't think that it would be a whole lot. I once made 38-56's by going the other way with 45-70 cases and don't recall whether I had to do any trimming. LLS

[country gent]

Im not sure on 38-56 but 40-65 formed from 45-70 and trimmed back to length for 40-65 when reformed to 45-70 are .060-.080 shorter than standard 45-70 cases.Being bottle necked may not be as bad.

[jp49]

I really appreciate all of your advice. I'm going to try annealing and blowing out a couple to see how it works. Since I don't have any Red Dot on hand I assume Unique will work just as well.
Thanks again for your help.
jp49

[kjorgy]

I would trade 50 new winchester 45-70 cases for your 38-56 brass which i can use

[Char-Gar]

I would trade 50 new winchester 45-70 cases for your 38-56 brass which i can use

Now that is the way to go on this deal!

[jp49]

Thanks kjorgy. I'll send you a pm.