.348 into 45-75 bunch more questions

[Black River Johnny]

Ok, the expander dies from c&h are here(great service by the way ) - Will a wax bullet work for fireforming? I have a bunch of wax bullets for fast draw and was wondering if they would work, or what else can I use instead of lead bullets? What powder am I supposed to use, I plan I only shooting bp and I know that wont work so please spare the lecture on filling the case with bp. I have only a little smokless on hand - reloader 15- imr 4831- and xmr 4350 -- will any of those work?
thanks
John

[Grizzly Adams]

Ok, the expander dies from c&h are here(great service by the way ) - Will a wax bullet work for fireforming? I have a bunch of wax bullets for fast draw and was wondering if they would work, or what else can I use instead of lead bullets? What powder am I supposed to use, I plan I only shooting bp and I know that wont work so please spare the lecture on filling the case with bp. I have only a little smokeless on hand - reloader 15- imr 4831- and xmr 4350 -- will any of those work?
thanks
John

Hi, John.

You will get a much better result by just using a lead bullet.  As for powder, you can certainly use BP to fire form the cases.  Be aware that I may take four or five firing before you beat that 348 brass into shape!  Be prepared for a slight coke bottle effect with the first firing.  Don't worry it's not a problem and it goes away!

As for smokeless powders, I usually use H4895 or 5744.  I have no experience with any of the others you named.  Of the group, my choice, if it is all I had, would be the 4831.  Okdee has used it in the 45-60.  See his thread.

Good luck, John.

[Black River Johnny]

thanks grizz,

I just ran my 50 348 cases through the expanders. It went pretty good i did loose 3 to splitting. i don't have graphite lube just the rcbs stuff you get but they went pretty good, the 3 cases that i lost were dented at the mouth pretty good and I tried to open them a little and I think that is why they split. now to do the rest.

[Grizzly Adams]

Remember to set the first trim at about 1.91 or so.  When you fire form them, they "shrink" in this caliber.  After a couple of firings you can trim them to 1.89 - if needed.  Don't worry about them going through the action at this point - just load single shot if needed.

[Black River Johnny]

I trimmed them to 1.93 as per one of john boy's posts.
thanks for the reminder

[Grizzly Adams]

I trimmed them to 1.93 as per one of john boy's posts.
thanks for the reminder

That'll work.