38-40 to 44-40

[Doc O]

This is just a thought.
Could it be done?
I have several 38-40 brass and after looking at the dementions [from the Lee reloading book] I'm thinking of fireforming for the Henry on it's way.
For the price of Starline brass I should just leave them alone [my need them at some point].
Like I said, just thinking.
Thanks Doc

[litl rooster]

For the price of Starline brass I should just leave them alone [my need them at some point].
Like I said, just thinking.
Thanks Doc

I think ya answered yer own question

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I've converted a very few from .38 W.C.F. to .44 W.C.F.  Usually its the other way 'round as .44 cases are much more common than .38s.  Either way it is just a careful application of the regular die set to convert.  Having firearms for both calibres I prefer to have the headstamp match the load.

[Doc O]

Your right about the head stamp.
I've fire formed 30-30 to 38-55, other then being slightly shorter in case length they work fine.

It was just a thought.

Doc

[Sod Buster]

I somehow got 2-3 38-40 empty brass returned to me at the unloading table.  I shoot 44-40.
Not knowing it was 38-40, I ran it though the Dillon and resized it & reloaded it with Goex & my 200gr .429 Big Lube bullet.

They worked just fine.  I only discovered it when I was sorting brass after shooting it.

I wouldn't recommend it but it did work.

[Jamie]

Just a question, but considering the neck thickness of 38-40 and 44-40 brass, would expanding the already thin brass from .40 to .428 or so create an even greater problem, shorter case life and more split necks?  Obviously from some of the posts, it works, just wondering if there were downsides on that basis?  I know where there's about 30 or so 38-40 cases I could probably buy cheap, as in a couple bucks, but I haven't done so because I didn't figure that it was worth the effort in terms of safety and convertability. Now I'm rethinking that a bit, and may grab them later this week - if they're still there.
Jamie