OK -- Ready to take the plunge -- making 45-75 cases from .50 Alaskan -- a few q

[Prairie Dawg]

Evening folks:
Please bear with me as I have never done this before.
I just bought a NWMP 1876 in 45-75.
Buffalo Arms does not have any of their home-made 45-75 brass, so after reading a lot of Web material, I've decided to do it myself.

1.  I've got a set of Lyman dies.

2.  Starline has 50 Alaskan brass.
   Here is their description -- is this the right stuff?
   50 Alaskan Brass (Large Rifle primer) 2.095"-2.102" O.A.L.     
   This cartridge is a lengthened version of the .500 Linebaugh. Case is 2.1 inches long.

3. Here are Hobie's instructions:
Ok, to summarize the steps...
1 - trim .50-90 or .50 AK case to 1.90" using tubing cutter. Be careful because technique is required here as well.
2 - lube the case.
3 - run the case into the .45-75 full-length sizing die.
4 - anneal
5 - run the case through the expansion die
6 - remove lube (I use alcohol pads, I like ALL the lube off my cases).
7 - final trim
8 - LOAD!

Is it really that easy?

Questions:
a) Can I use a case trimmer to trim the case?  Any advice on how to best trim these is appreciated.
b) Best lube to use?
c) Do I anneal these with a propane torch with brass in a pan of water?  If so, heat to cherry & tip over?  How much of the brass should be sticking out of the water?
d) Is it really that easy?

Obviously, I am a newbie at this.
I appreciate all the advice/comments folks want to give.

Thanks in advance
--Dawg

[GeezerD]

Dawg,  I spoke to the folks at Starline and they told me there is a dimensional difference between the 50 Alaskan and the 50-90.
They said the 50-90 is the better choice for forming Win. 50-95 express cases, and I think the body and rim sizes on both the 45-75 and the 50-95 are the same.  Starline is sending me a sample 50-90 case and I have some original Winchester 45-75 WCF ammo to compare it to. I will let you know how close the match up on rim and body sizes is. -------------- GeezerD

[larryo_1]

Gentlemen:
When I started in with my 45-75, I used 348 brass.  I cut them back to 2.25 inches and then put in about 15-16 grains of Bullseye and then filled the case with cornmeal, put on a beeswax wad, stepped out the door and went bang!  Then the case was fire-formed to my chamber.  then I put them in my R CBS Trim die and filed them to the perzak length and was done.  As far as annealing goes, I use a Lazy Susan with a pan filled with enough water to bring the level up to just above the shoulder.  I use a propane torch and heat the cases while rotating the pan until the neck just starts to change color not cherry red as that will eventually ruin the cases.  Then I "Tink" them into the water.  As far as lube goes, I use an un-inked stamp-pad and motor honey which you can get at any parts store.  As far as bullet lube is concerned, I have tried one hell of a lot of different ones but always come back to a 50-50 mix of Water Pump Grease and Bees Wax that I have used since 1959 when I got started in reloading.  That recipie was given to me by not only Elmer Keith but also several other old timers.  It has never failed me and I use it in everything from a .58 cal muzzle-loader to my 375 H&H and in my handguns too with no complaints.  I am sure that there are other lubes that others think are better but that is what I use.  I have tried that SPG lube and still am sticking with what works for me.  Since I got hold of a bunch of Jamison brass, I don't worry about jumping through all the case making hoops anymore but am not sure if those cases are still readily available anymore.  If you want to try 348 brass do what I said.  I haven't lost a case yet making brass that way and it is sort of fun too.  I did get some 50-90 cases and they work just as good.. One thing about 348 cases, after they are made into 45-75's, they have a sort of a"Coke bottle" shape for a few shots but that goes away after a few rounds.  Venturino mentioned this also.  For your information, 40-60, 45-60, 45-75 and 50-95 cases all have the same case head dimensions.

[larryo_1]

One other tasty little tidbit of information that you might check into---.. Go to "custombrassand bullets.com"  and scroll down and you will find 45-75 brass still listed there for $32.79/20.  Check it out!

[Hobie]

I answered your email but haven't heard back from you.  BTW, I'd use properly headstamped brass first as the cost isn't that much different but the effort is a big deal.  I HAD to make brass at first and that is the ONLY reason I did so. 

[Prairie Dawg]

Yup, it has been a busy few days.
Well, everything to make the 45-75 brass is ordered.
It should get here early next week.
I'll give it a try & that will probably raise a few more questions.

Thanks for all your advice & all your posts.
I really find it helpful.
--Dawg