Has anyone tried 32 ga shotgun brass as a parent case to reform into 12.7 x 44
If you have done it, how well did it work?
Sure, I could buy cases already formed, but what fun is that?
I see that most use one of three options - 50/70, 50 Alaskan or 348 Winchester, and I could make any work.
I know the Magtech brass is thinner in the head then the rifle brass, however that is closer to the period shells the gun was designed for, and gives an increased case volume so its worth thinking about.
My chamber casting shows no step for the end of the case or free bore for the bullet. The chamber is simply a taper entering the rifling so case wall thickness may become an issue. The OD of the groves start out some where around 0.517 and the chamber OD is about 0.530 at the 44 mm line, so .006 or so on the case wall if we want the bullet to fit the bore and don't want a healed bullet. I still have to slug the bore and verify the measurements, but the casting is a starting point.
Either way, the lathe will take care of the mold, but its easier to lube an bullet without a heal in the sizing press.
Has anyone compared the wall thickness of the 32 ga, 50/70, 50 Alaskan and 348 Winchester after trimming to length?
That may be a deciding factor for me.
The rim thickness is also a concern. Head space is on the rim and may be excessive with 32 gauge. I am going to turn a dummy head and figure out the maximum rim thickness that the block will close on before selecting parent brass. CIP has the nominal thickness and tolerances for 32 ga, 50/70 and 348, but not 50 Alaskan. Nothing on it from SAAMI either.
OK I know, I am way overthinking this, but I would like to verify the rim thickness on the 50 Alaskan before investing in the brass.
There seems to be $100 minimum on any of the cases.
Finally - 50/70 dies seem to be a popular idea for reforming the cases.
Does anyone have experience with this to share?
Thanks.