DoctorBill
07-04-2013, 01:10 PM
This was done to help anyone new to reforming Brass from one size to another.
I found such Threads extremely helpful when I started out, so I
figure to "Pass It Forward" - maybe someone can benefit from it.
I watched a Youtube video on making Snider .577 Brass cases from
Magtech 24 Gauge Brass cases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQJSNDdesEQ
Here is me doing this at home. I paid $24.29 for a Box of 25 Cases
from Buffalo Arms in Idaho. Bought two boxes. I use them for .577/450 Martini also.
I also bought a "Mini" Circular Saw cutter at Harbor Freight for ~$26
using their 20% off coupon (in MANY magazines) to trim the cases.
Trimming off 0.5 inch from each case is a PITA, so the $26 was worth it to me.
I made a small wood "Jig" to hold the cases while trimming them.
I cut them to about 1.95 inch because they expand a tad with reforming down in diameter.
http://s19.postimg.org/fcwq7tag3/Cutting_to_Two_Inches.jpg
Since the saw blade is only two inches in DIAMETER, you have to rotate the case to finish the cut.
http://s19.postimg.org/4elgpmlur/Cut_to_Two_Inches.jpg
You need to de-bur the end - I used a sanding block, File, Steel Wool and a knife edge.
A final turn against a wad of Steel wool makes the neck smoooth....
http://s19.postimg.org/8p04l7qxv/De_Burring_Brass_End.jpg
Once de-burred, you MUST anneal the Brass to make it possible to reform it in the LEE
Die. I held the case with gas pliers, rotated in the flame for a slow count to 7, then plunged
the case into water.
http://s19.postimg.org/c9w04fvhf/Annealing_the_Brass.jpg
After wiping the case off, I oiled it with a thin film of ATF (yes - Automatic Transmission Fluid) and
sized it with the LEE Die. I pressed it in maybe 1/8th inch, pulled it out, rotated it, and repeated
this way until it was finished. Going fast w/o rotating the case might result in a crimped case.
Slow and easy....
If the pressing is in any way difficult, you need to re-wipe the case, relube and try again.
I often wipe the inside of the die with a rolled up Kleenex.
Too much lube and you will get 'lube indents' in the case.
http://s19.postimg.org/x8262ivc3/Reforming_Process.jpg
If you have to press down HARD, something is wrong - check the case, re-lube or
maybe even re-anneal. It should go quite easily.....
Here it is fresh out of the Die after five passes to reform it.
http://s19.postimg.org/4wgm5hbfn/577_Reformed_Snider.jpg
Wipe it off, check for burs and crimps....and you are done...for about $1 per Snider .577 Case !
What you start with and what you get....
http://s19.postimg.org/utaai3f37/Beginning_and_End.jpg
Not bad for being able to shoot a .577 Snider on the cheap.
Now to go make some Bullets - LEE "Minnie Ball" cast bullets (.575 x 500 grain hollow base).
My Portuguese Contract Snider has a .583 Bore Diameter, so I am going to
Paper Patch my reloads. I kinda like doing paper patching...almost as restful
as Fishing in a Canoe on a quiet lake in cool spring weather while smoking a cigar.
ALL by yourself with no one blathering at you and no TV or Radio trying to sell
you some junk or convince you to vote for some Big Eared Bozo...you know who I mean.
DoctorBill
I found such Threads extremely helpful when I started out, so I
figure to "Pass It Forward" - maybe someone can benefit from it.
I watched a Youtube video on making Snider .577 Brass cases from
Magtech 24 Gauge Brass cases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQJSNDdesEQ
Here is me doing this at home. I paid $24.29 for a Box of 25 Cases
from Buffalo Arms in Idaho. Bought two boxes. I use them for .577/450 Martini also.
I also bought a "Mini" Circular Saw cutter at Harbor Freight for ~$26
using their 20% off coupon (in MANY magazines) to trim the cases.
Trimming off 0.5 inch from each case is a PITA, so the $26 was worth it to me.
I made a small wood "Jig" to hold the cases while trimming them.
I cut them to about 1.95 inch because they expand a tad with reforming down in diameter.
http://s19.postimg.org/fcwq7tag3/Cutting_to_Two_Inches.jpg
Since the saw blade is only two inches in DIAMETER, you have to rotate the case to finish the cut.
http://s19.postimg.org/4elgpmlur/Cut_to_Two_Inches.jpg
You need to de-bur the end - I used a sanding block, File, Steel Wool and a knife edge.
A final turn against a wad of Steel wool makes the neck smoooth....
http://s19.postimg.org/8p04l7qxv/De_Burring_Brass_End.jpg
Once de-burred, you MUST anneal the Brass to make it possible to reform it in the LEE
Die. I held the case with gas pliers, rotated in the flame for a slow count to 7, then plunged
the case into water.
http://s19.postimg.org/c9w04fvhf/Annealing_the_Brass.jpg
After wiping the case off, I oiled it with a thin film of ATF (yes - Automatic Transmission Fluid) and
sized it with the LEE Die. I pressed it in maybe 1/8th inch, pulled it out, rotated it, and repeated
this way until it was finished. Going fast w/o rotating the case might result in a crimped case.
Slow and easy....
If the pressing is in any way difficult, you need to re-wipe the case, relube and try again.
I often wipe the inside of the die with a rolled up Kleenex.
Too much lube and you will get 'lube indents' in the case.
http://s19.postimg.org/x8262ivc3/Reforming_Process.jpg
If you have to press down HARD, something is wrong - check the case, re-lube or
maybe even re-anneal. It should go quite easily.....
Here it is fresh out of the Die after five passes to reform it.
http://s19.postimg.org/4wgm5hbfn/577_Reformed_Snider.jpg
Wipe it off, check for burs and crimps....and you are done...for about $1 per Snider .577 Case !
What you start with and what you get....
http://s19.postimg.org/utaai3f37/Beginning_and_End.jpg
Not bad for being able to shoot a .577 Snider on the cheap.
Now to go make some Bullets - LEE "Minnie Ball" cast bullets (.575 x 500 grain hollow base).
My Portuguese Contract Snider has a .583 Bore Diameter, so I am going to
Paper Patch my reloads. I kinda like doing paper patching...almost as restful
as Fishing in a Canoe on a quiet lake in cool spring weather while smoking a cigar.
ALL by yourself with no one blathering at you and no TV or Radio trying to sell
you some junk or convince you to vote for some Big Eared Bozo...you know who I mean.
DoctorBill