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View Full Version : .40 to .45 acp in one step - not yet.


Mountain Prepper
09-10-2011, 02:18 AM
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n636/MountainPrepper/Handloading/45_from_40_cases.jpg

Cut the rim and trimmed the base down to the primer stop and then trimmed the cases (various lengths to see what I could expect).

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n636/MountainPrepper/Handloading/45_from_40_bullet_top.jpg

A lead cylinder dropped into the above and formed in the point forming die.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n636/MountainPrepper/Handloading/45_from_40_bullet.jpg

Can you see the bulge and the narrower back?

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n636/MountainPrepper/Handloading/45_from_40_bulletside.jpg

Better here?

I could see the fact that the base of the .40 case was not expanding and cracked out the measuring tools...

Dang, it was there... and also I found that the largest part was .447 - strange - (other measurements removed as some tools are possibly out of spec, I have some checking to do).

I think the .40 as a jacket will also need to be softened to work.

Taking the rims off with the lathe proves to be less effort with the dies.
cobrarolex
10-03-2011, 06:39 PM
How did you fold the copper on lead? What is the final lenght of the case after cutting the rim?

I might try what you are doing so any help will be appreciated. Thanks
ReloaderFred
10-03-2011, 08:57 PM
If they weren't annealed first, prior to swaging, it's going to be very difficult to get that .40 case expanded out to .451" or .452". I've tried swaging .40 cases to .429" without annealing, and it was hard to get them to fill out, and the bases refused to fill out. Once annealed, it's no problem to form them into .44 caliber bullets.

Hope this helps.

Fred
Mountain Prepper
10-04-2011, 04:25 PM
If they weren't annealed first, prior to swaging, it's going to be very difficult to get that .40 case expanded out to .451" or .452". I've tried swaging .40 cases to .429" without annealing, and it was hard to get them to fill out, and the bases refused to fill out. Once annealed, it's no problem to form them into .44 caliber bullets.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Yes that helps, so the annealing process is necessary with the .40 cases also - at least for the forming of 45 jackets.

I will not be able to get back to my presses until after next week (on a business trip) but I have lots to work with.

I would like to keep it as simple as possible, but if you have to anneal then so be it...

That thicker back is weird and forms strange, but with a softening process this could be eliminated and turn into a great jacket.
Mountain Prepper
10-04-2011, 04:31 PM
How did you fold the copper on lead? What is the final lenght of the case after cutting the rim?

I might try what you are doing so any help will be appreciated. Thanks

I am away from the shop at the moment, I will not be able to answer until I get back.

I did trim the case to .65 I think. but I cannot be sure, I am going only by flawed memory.