Reforming 303 for 44 Magnum shotshell

[William Yanda]

I acquired a couple of dozen 303 British, Berdan primed which I am repurposing to 44 Magnum shot shells.
I know it would have been easier to start with Boxer brass, but winter is hanging on and I need, really need a project.
I have trimmed the shoulder off, and reduced the diameter of the rim so they will seat nicely in my Ruger SBH cylinder. They fit a 44 Magnum shell holder without reducing the thickness of the rim. Anybody see any problem using them without milling off 20 thousandths of the rim thickness?
Respectfully
Bill

[GRUMPA]

When I made mine I just left the rim thickness right where it was. I see no reason to create extra work for yourself on something that works, kinda like if it aint broke don't fix it...

[GP100man]

I`m a little ahead where your at , I had to mill .010 off the heads of some boxer primed to close the cyl. on my Redhawk.

I fired em once ,but gotta anneal em a bit or step on the gas more so they`ll fully form to the cyl/throats.

Impressive improvements over the store bought shotshells !

GP

[William Yanda]

Thanks Grumpa, I like your take.

GP-I was wondering about annealing. I am tempted to drop them in the empty Lee 4-20, let it cycle and cool down. For shot shell pressures will annealing the whole case weaken the base?

I just dropped 6 in the cylinder-won't advance reliably. Sometimes does, usually doesn't. So I guess I need to shave these. I won't mind losing the 303 PPU marking.

[GRUMPA]

I didn't anneal mine at all, and I roll crimped mine with an overshot card. The ones I made I used a 410 wad and cut the peddles down since those are kinda long. When I used them they were OK but rather weak as far as recoil. Since then I just use the Speer shot capsules, which to me are easier to get and your limited only by your imagination when it comes to filling them up...

[mac60]

i didn't anneal mine at all, and i roll crimped mine with an overshot card. The ones i made i used a 410 wad and cut the peddles down since those are kinda long. When i used them they were ok but rather weak as far as recoil. Since then i just use the speer shot capsules, which to me are easier to get and your limited only by your imagination when it comes to filling them up...

e.g.

134835

[Outpost75]

More info over on the Marlin forum: Starline 5 in 1 Blank brass also works in the .44 Magnum!

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/team-44-40/165487-snake-loads-44-40-a.html
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/team-44-40/151610-game-getter-ball-shot.htm

D1C repair center is 10 inches square. Smaller inner circle is 4 inches, outer circle is 8".

Up closer these are deadly snake loads, but more useful is that I have killed rabbits, quail and grouse with them at woods ranges within about 30 ft. Most effective on small game from 15-25 ft. Closer than 15 feet a rabbit is inedible fur burger and snake is very dead.

134884
134888

[Reg]

e.g.

134835

These look like the old Junk Yard Dog loads ???

[mac60]

These look like the old Junk Yard Dog loads ???

Yes Sir - that is the junkyard dog. Mean and hateful.