Brass reforming? .348 to .43 Spanish

[sharps45_70_500]

I'm getting a Remington Rolling Block in .43 Spanish shortly. I've been looking at the price of brass and it's way up there. I've seen mentioned that it can be formed from .348 brass (much cheaper). How do I go about this. Do I just anneal the cases and then form in the .43 Spanish dies, or do I need a special set of reforming dies?

I've got experience with reloading .45-70 and .45LC but I've never reformed brass.

TIA,

Jim

[Hell-Er High Water]

Jim,

A warning !!  Before you get too far into this project you need to be aware that 43 Spanish chamber dimensions vary all over the place.  I have two Remington Rolling Block rifles in 43 Spanish that 348 Winchester brass will not go into.  On the other hand, I have a Peabody rifle in 43 Spanish that I use 348 Winchester brass in just fine.  The problem with the Rolling Blocks is in the head diameter.  Measure the head diameter before you invest in a lot of 348 brass.

Assuming that the 348 brass will work here is how I adapt it.  I fireform it in the rifle as follows:

Prime with large rifle or large rifle magnum primers.  It doesn't seem to matter, they both work.
8.5 grains of Bullseye powder
A tuft of cotton, dacron or toilet paper pushed down tight on the powder
Corn meal packed TIGHT in the rest of the case to within about 1/16" of the mouth
Elmers glue or wax to seal.  This is just to keep the corn meal in place while handling

Fire in a safe direction as this load does have some power to it.  With the corn meal you are also feeding the local critters at the same time.  Check the chamber between shots to make sure that there is no cornmeal left in there.  It won't really hurt anything, but it will put dents in the next case that you shoot.

One fireforming usually makes the case suitable for loading.  You may have to trim the neck to square it up; anyway trim all the cases to the same length as the shortest, squared up one.  A normal load with a bullet will do any final forming that may be needed.

Let us knw how this works out for you.

HHW