Spencer blanks for 44-40, success!!

[major]

Two Flints
I am putting this here because I feelt it needed it's own heading.
I was successful in getting blanks to work in my 44-40 Spencer.  And they are cheap.  I use once fired 410 shotgun shells.  The process is a little involved and I have yet to field test the blanks at a reenactment.  But all the testing I have done at the range has worked out.  It is necessary to cut the 410 shells to length (1.535) which I do on my table top band saw. Then deprime and prime with my mac reloader (when it gets here) I am using a block of wood with a hole in it and a prick punch for the present.  Then fill with powder and wax paper circle, lube and another wax paper circle.  Put it through my 44-40 sizing die, star crimp die and shoulder forming die (use a number 41 shell holder).  Then I put it in a 15/32 collet to get the lower area of the brass case where the shell holder was blocking the sizing die and finish sizing it down to .470, and that's it.  It is a lot of work but I am trying to put a serious dent in the reloading time by getting some better equipment.  When I am finished I feel that the blanks cost me between 15 to 20 cents each to make.
Terry

[major]

Just came up with a refinement of the blanks making process.  I have replaced the collet vice and collet with a MAC Super sizer Model SS77.  This device will size the brass part of the shell down to .470.  It also eliminates the step of sizing the brass with the 44-40 sizing die.  The only thing I have to do with my Lyman press now is Star crimp and shoulder form the shell.
Is there anyone else out there that is interested in using the Spencer carbine for reenacting?