mpkunz
04-13-2014, 07:55 PM
I wanted some low or no recoil .45-70's but was not willing to just shoot a .457 round ball, or pair of round balls. Went out to the shop and drilled out a piece of 4130 scrap rod to 7/16", then finished the hole with a 0.4600" reamer and polished it with 600 wet/dry paper to make the diameter dia. Took a piece of 1/2" 4140 and made a nose punch to match the dia of the finished hole in the die. FWIW, I have 31 minutes invested in the die and punch.
It works like the Paco-Kelley 22LR dies from a couple years back. So far I have only done copper plated bulk 200 grain SWC's, but with one good whack I get them up to the 0.4600" diameter of the die. Next they go through my Lee 0.457 lube/sizer.
I used Starline brass, 7.5 grains of Unique, and seated the bullets against the powder.
The results so far are anecdotal, but more testing will follow. Primers looked good, they're definitely into the supersonic region. Fired from an NEF Buffalo Rifle with 32" barrel. Chronograph and accuracy testing to follow.
Info offered up to the group FWIW. Comments and considerations appreciated.
Mike
It works like the Paco-Kelley 22LR dies from a couple years back. So far I have only done copper plated bulk 200 grain SWC's, but with one good whack I get them up to the 0.4600" diameter of the die. Next they go through my Lee 0.457 lube/sizer.
I used Starline brass, 7.5 grains of Unique, and seated the bullets against the powder.
The results so far are anecdotal, but more testing will follow. Primers looked good, they're definitely into the supersonic region. Fired from an NEF Buffalo Rifle with 32" barrel. Chronograph and accuracy testing to follow.
Info offered up to the group FWIW. Comments and considerations appreciated.
Mike