577/450 Forming Dies

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Well, I finally finished my set of three forming dies for making 577/450 and Snider cases from 24ga Magtec shotshell brass:) Normal drawn brass is difficult to get in this part of the country where a big city store is 250 miles drive away.

It's a bit involved, basically, trim to 2.3", anneal the case body, progress through 3 form dies (.57, .52, .46) and finally through a normal FLS die with the decapper removed then final trim to length. You can also use the same basic case to form 577 Snider brass!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/577FormDies_A_zps7d40703f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/MH577Formed_zps1c73f265.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/577Snider_A_zpse141eb93.jpg

The brass cases are of the Balloon head type and care should be taken not to damage this area when removing the case from the die.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/577CaseHead_A_zpsd2a9b08c.jpg

[Nobade]

Very nice! Did you make the reamer? I have been meaning to try my hand at making fluted reamers like that but haven't yet. I assume the cases are pressed into the dies with a vise or other press?

This is one of the most fun parts of shooting old rifles - making tools to allow you to use them! Far more interesting than buying a box of ammo off the store shelf and going out to shoot. Good work!

-Nobade

[Ed in North Texas]

Great job BA!

[Bad Ass Wallace]

No, I bought the reamer off ebay for $50, and a 12" piece of 45 muzzleloading barrel of another forum for $10. I tried to make a normal 7/8"x 14 die body first but the shellholder tore the thin rim off the case so decided that the vice type was a better option.

[Ragnarok]

I've been reforming the 24ga brass into .577/.450 with just a set of Lee dies...takes some time and effort but with a bit of care works well enough.

[sav300]

Hi BA,am waiting on my pta for a 577-450 Martini.Hope to have it in my safe by next Friday.