forming brass

[444ttd]

i have the chance to buy two "antique" rifles. a dutch vitali m1871/88 in 11.3x50mmR and a vetterli-vitali M1870/87 in 10.35x47mmR. my friends dad(who passed away several months ago) had the guns in his safe and they are clean. my friend wants to sell them and i want them........but, what kind of brass do i need to form these? (444 marlin into the 405 jess or 30-30 into 35/30-30) i can cut brass to length but i don't have a lathe. and what about dies? this is going to my first black powder case, so i'm a newbie on this.

or should i just pass them by?

[abunaitoo]

For the m1871/88 looks at this........
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3284

Is the vetterli-vitali M1870/87 Swiss or Italian???
I forget which is which.

Making cases are sometimes a challenge, but that's the fun of it.
I would jump on them.

[corbinace]

I think you should tell your friend that you don't want that junk, but you know a guy that will help him dispose of them. Of course that would be me

Really though, a Swiss Vetterli is what got me into casting and was my first formed case. I know that is not exactly what you have. But close enough to be doable.
It will likely be slow going in the beginning, but you can make it happen.
It will also likely cost more to get tooled and supplied up, than the rifle, but worth it for that first group.

[444ttd]

For the m1871/88 looks at this........
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3284

Is the vetterli-vitali M1870/87 Swiss or Italian???
I forget which is which.

Making cases are sometimes a challenge, but that's the fun of it.
I would jump on them.

its italian and thanks!!!!!!!

[ascast]

I suggest you buy a box of brass and have fun shooting it. If you find you ant to compete or something, then make up a few 1,000 rounds. Try Graf. There are others who carry it; Bertram I think. II think French Lebel is the source-needs turned down a bit on the bases. Lee did a run of those dies once- no flare on the decap rod. C&H will have them most likely, but they will be a "tad" more than Lee.

[Lead pot]

You might check with Buffalo Arms. https://www.buffaloarms.com/reloadin...es?cat=604&p=1

[salpal48]

the dutch Beaumont M71/88 has a 52 MM length. You can start with 50/90 sharps . The Italian I have made from 8mm lebel cases. You can Neck them up to.425 or so . Then form down to 10.4. in both cases a trim die is advisable.
I have 3 Italians 1 works well with Buffalo arms Brass, 2 will not work. They Use I believe 50/110 brass
All of mine work well when I form from 8mm lebel
It a hit Or miss with The italians. Some were not Made well

[ascast]

It a hit Or miss with The italians. Some were not Made well that is very true significant variations so off the rack dies may not work

[abunaitoo]

its italian and thanks!!!!!!!

Never had the Italian one.
Should be fun.

I read that the cases are just a longer 41 Swiss case.
If that's the case, Lee makes a die set that is a reasonable price.
Make a spacer between the shell holder and die.
Slugg the bore to find the boolet you need.
Should be easier to load for because it feeds through a magazine.
On the Swiss, it feeds through a tube. The length has to be correct.

[444ttd]

unfortunately, i have to pass on it. money, as they say, don't grow on trees. fortunately, he has another buyer.

[TN/TX99]

I enjoy forming brass to supply my brass needs; at times it can be work, but I enjoy the finished product. 256 WinMag from 357; 7TCU from 223 Rem; 250-3000 from 22-250; 35 Whelen from 30-06; 257 Roberts from 7x57mm (and other 30-06 headsized brass).