.45-60 from .45-70 brass??

[tom barthel]

My nephew just obtained a replica m76 rifle in .45-60 caliber. Ammunition is priced out of this world. There seems to be a slight difference in rim thickness with the .45-70. My question is, will cut and trimmed 45-70 brass work with out any bolt modification? Would the bolt face need to be polished down a bit. The rifle is a m76 clone from Italy. Nephew is concerned about thinning the rim and getting high primers. Also is the rifle strong enough for smokeless loads?

[45 2.1]

Nephew is concerned about thinning the rim and getting high primers.

One thins the rim from the side adjacent to the case mouth, usually on a lathe. This way the primer pocket remains the same depth.

[Don McDowell]

Tom check the chamber first , it's possible that the 45-70 brass will work with just shortening.
Also you can go to www.cascity.com and look and read under the forum dedicated entirely to the 1876

[captainkirk]

A friend of mine has a '76 replica in 45-60, and he uses 45-70 brass trimmed to length with no other mods. I'm not sure what brand he uses, but he shoots it a lot with no troubles.

captainkirk

[WARD O]

My 45-60 76 was made in 1883 and I simply trim 45-70 brass and use it with no other mods. I don't shoot it a lot but I do shoot it! (with black)

Ward

[Baron von Trollwhack]

The early recent imports of 1876 clones were defective in that some were chambered with incorrect headspace. Gather up some junk 45-70 cases, as you are intrested in checking headspace, F/L, then shorten to any length shorter than 45-60 and see if they chamber ok. Chances are they will in any of the newer imports. I have a 45-60 highwall and all current 45-70 brands of cases when full lenthed and shortened, chamber and extract well. As a matter of fact I reload for it with a 45-70 Lyman 310 tool. If you anneal occasionally the cases are virtually everlasting. BvT

[tom barthel]

Thanks to all. I got lots of good information. I'll pass it along to my nephew.
Tom

[EDK]

Idaho Sharpshooter did an extensive article on this rifle and cartridge awhile back in one of the specialized magazines that you don't find on most magazine racks at Wal-Mart. Send him a PM and see if he can help you.