New Unstamped Brass?

[Bryan Austin]

Does anyone anywhere know where I can get some 44-40 brass with no headstamp? Anyone know if Starline or someone else will make some without stamping?

[Pettifogger]

No one makes unstamped brass.  You can call Starline, but to run a special batch of brass won't be cheap.  Just out of curiosity why in the heck would you want unstamped brass?

[Mako]

Savvy,
I'm on to your little scheme... You bounce back and forth between this site and Open Range seeing just how many ways you can make us go, "Huhhhh?"

It's actually pretty amusing watching the reactions.  My hat is off to you.

Are you trying to make a shortened .44 or something like that?  The last thing you need to be worried about is the markings on the cases.  You have a lot of development ahead of you before you will get enough acceptance to even consider a run of brass.  If it's just for you it doesn't matter you will control it and sort it.  Wildcatters have done that for years, I actually have 2 wildcat rifles an XP100 pistol and contender barrels that have weird calibers like 7 X 50 LG, 6.5 X 50 L and a couple of others.  I almost forgot I also have a S&W K48 that has been changed to a sort of a short straight walled .22 K Hornet, it's not even a Kay Chuk it's one of a kind.  Believe me I have all kinds of cases that say things like .30 Remington, .35 Remington or .30-30 that aren't even close to those calibers.

If you want to talk about it PM me.

Later,
Mako

[Bryan Austin]

Savvy,
I'm on to your little scheme... You bounce back and forth between this site and Open Range seeing just how many ways you can make us go, "Huhhhh?"

It's actually pretty amusing watching the reactions.  My hat is off to you.

Are you trying to make a shortened .44 or something like that?  The last thing you need to be worried about is the markings on the cases.  You have a lot of development ahead of you before you will get enough acceptance to even consider a run of brass.  If it's just for you it doesn't matter you will control it and sort it.  Wildcatters have done that for years, I actually have 2 wildcat rifles an XP100 pistol and contender barrels that have weird calibers like 7 X 50 LG, 6.5 X 50 L and a couple of others.  I almost forgot I also have a S&W K48 that has been changed to a sort of a short straight walled .22 K Hornet, it's not even a Kay Chuk it's one of a kind.  Believe me I have all kinds of cases that say things like .30 Remington, .35 Remington or .30-30 that aren't even close to those calibers.

If you want to talk about it PM me.

Later,
Mako

hehehehe no tricks..ok, ok, ok...I am a bit OCD when it comes to all my headstamp cases. All Winchester brass in one box, all WW brass in another and Starline...well...you get the idea!
Even if I did get some with no headstamp, I'd end up loosing one and then have an odd number....then that would drive me nuts!

Interesting how it would cost more to get some that did not have to be stamped....heck I should be able to get them cheaper since it saves the manufacturer a step in production...lol!

I thought about getting a box of 50 custom stamped with my name but then I'd never use them...then that woould drive me nuts!

Is this driving you guys nuts yet? 

Oh, I kinda flip flop between these two sites but I found another one. Figured I'd pester them for a while and give you guys a break.

[rickk]

Where I work we asked Federal make some stuff with a custom headstamp for us.

Yes they did it.

Yes we bought 250,000 each of 9mm and .45 ACP. It was factory primed as well.

I don't know what the details of the deal were, but we did seem to have to buy a whole buncha it to get what we wanted. We did not need anywhere near as much as we bought.

I don't know exactly how they add the headstamp. Intuitively, it would seem that a "nothing" headstamp would not require a tooling charge but it is possible that the headstamp is part of another forming die and they might actually have to make a special "nothing" die to leave off the headstamp.

[Mako]

You are one twisted puppy...

I had no idea...Wow I'd hate to be the brass picker on your posse.

Breath deep and repeat, "I will lose 30% of my rifle brass per shoot and it will make me STRONGER..."

Nah, it doesn't work for me either, I hate losing brass, there are some ranges I refuse to shoot my .44 Russian carbine on because I will lose up to 40% because of the topography and layout.

There is only one solution. Shoot .38 spl in your rifle and you can buy that once fired brass cheap ($.07) in bulk.  Keep extra brass in a drawstring bag and fish it out as needed to keep your boxes even.  Don't ever look in the bag, or the mojo will get out.  Restock from another bag you keep stashed at home.  The secret is never to look in the bag.

Now I feel like Dr. Mako now, catch me here, I'll be playing all week.

~Mako

Check this source out.
http://edsbrassandreloaders.com/category.sc?categoryId=4

[Pettifogger]

Having been to a plant where they make brass, the head stamp is part of one of the forming dies.  Not just a matter of leaving them off.  It would take a change of tooling.  They make thousands of cases per hour.  To shut down to make 50 cases would cost you a fortune.  They wouldn't do it anyway.  As noted it takes thousands of cases to warrant a special run.  Sit back, have a beer and take it easy.  The only .44-40 brass you need to throw in a separate box is Remington.  Their brass is different than Winchester, WW and Starline.  The latter three interchange OK and will run through a reloading press together with no problem.  Whenever I find a Remington case mixed in with my brass I usually segregate it and give it to someone else.

[Abilene]

...  The only .44-40 brass you need to throw in a separate box is Remington.  Their brass is different than Winchester, WW and Starline.  The later three interchange OK and will run through a reloading press together with no problem.  Whenever I find a Remington case mixed in with my brass I usually segregate it and give it to someone else.

Remington 44-40 brass will load fine in my Lee Turret with Lee dies.  But due to the thicker case mouth, it won't chamber in my Ubertis when using .429 bullets, so that's why I segregate it.  Besides those you mentioned, BHA will also work for me, but I only have a few of those.  Other headstamps that won't chamber are 3D, PMC, and Impact.

[Pettifogger]

Remington 44-40 brass will load fine in my Lee Turret with Lee dies.  But due to the thicker case mouth, it won't chamber in my Ubertis when using .429 bullets, so that's why I segregate it.  Besides those you mentioned, BHA will also work for me, but I only have a few of those.  Other headstamps that won't chamber are 3D, PMC, and Impact.

That's why I give the Remington away.  Same problem as Abilene, Remingtons often have thicker rims and always have thicker case mouths.  With .429 bullets they won't chamber in a lot of my .44-40 guns.  The other head stamps are relatively scarce and I throw them away so they aren't part of the equation.

[fourfingersofdeath]

Bertram Brass in Australia will custom head stamp brass and would probably do a plain batch, but they ain't cheap and you may as well order a lifetime's supply as he has to start up again next time you want some. My mate, Little Joe D was in the Army with him and bough 1000 brass for his 45/60 with 'Lil Joe on the headstamp. Realllllllllllllllllllllll classy!

I thought about it, but my alias is too big, I could use the initials FFoD, but no one apart from my friends would know what it meant.

You can get swage dies for the base of cartridges, but that mightn't work with a bottel necked case.

Solution:
1) Buy bulk when you can afford it. Have lots of brass.
2) Carry ammo to the range in containers (or trays if you must).
3) Bring your brass home bulk, do mot attempt to refill the trays or count them. This is a sure road to frustration.

[Bryan Austin]

I have some RP brass too but never had a problem with them in any of my firearms! Soooooo........send me your unwant....ah nevermind! 

[Adirondack Jack]

Stamping the headstamp is done as a part of shaping the brass, the headstamp die does more than imprint the lettering, so no, ya can't simply ask anybody to yank em off the line unstamped.  What would have to happen is a "blank" headstamp die would have to be made, and it would need to be inserted into the machine, properly adjusted, then your brass made as a part of the normal run of .44-40.

Starline would do it IF ya paid for the blank die (probably around $500) and IF ya paid (50% down, 50% due on delivery) for a minimum quantity of brass (likely 100,000 pieces).  Add to that their fee for a custom run, making the brass about as expensive wholesale as "normal" brass is retial, and yer there.  This is why so many wildcats are never properly drawn and headstamped.  It takes a committment to get there.

[john boy]

I am a bit OCD when it comes to all my headstamp cases.

Have a Dremel Tool?  Grind off the stamp with a stone - polish and then you'll have as many No Names as you care to create

May I also suggest ...
"Doctor, I have this OCD problem with multiple brands of headstamps on brass cartridges".
Dr: "What's a headstamp?"
Jack: "It's like the the labels on clothes"
Dr: "Do you cut all the labels off your clothes and every other product you purchase?"
Jack: "Gee Doc, good idea.  Then I can change my alias to No Name!"  Pretty Savvy, hugh?
Dr: "Have a nice day.  Please pay the receptionist $150 for the visit" 

[Bryan Austin]

Did you ever notice how not so savvy I am? 

[john boy]

Did you ever notice how not so savvy I am?

Yep, but your still Aces in my book, Jack.  From now on, just don't look and the OCD will vanish quickly!