Cutting down 45/70 to make 45/60's

[steve.lobo]

Whilst I'm waiting for my new 45/60 to arrive I thought I would begin loading so I'm ready to go. Being from the UK, 45/60 is not an easy brass case to aquire.
So I brought 45/70 intending to cut them down. Not sure what is the correct length for 45/60 though and could do with some advice.
Also purchased Trail Boss powder, anyone used it yet and what are the reccomended minimum and maximum loads for the 45/60 please. I'm used to shoot Black hence out of my comfort zone.

[Grizzly Adams]

Welcome, Steve.lobo! 

The correct length is 1.89.  Enjoy!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I have a .45-75 NWMP carbine, from Chapparal.  I have fireformed .348 WCF cases that have the same rim dimensions as the .45-70 case.  I recently acquired some Jamison brass and find that the rims are thinner, which is correct.  I hear from elsewhere in this forum that factory brass for the .45-75 is available in Italy, so you might get lucky.  .45-70 cases shortened the the correct length is the usual way to go, but if you encounter tight headspace so the bolt won't close, then you MAY have to thin them from the front.

I only use the true Gunpowder in my '76 carbine, so why not stick to what you are used to?

[Joe Lansing]

348 winchester cases DO NOT have the same rim/base dimentions as 45-70.

                                       J.L.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Joe;  You are correct, Sir!

.45-70   rim dia.  .608"   base dia.  .506
.348WCF   "       .610"       "         .553
.45-60   rim dia.  .629         "        .508
.45-75       "       .616(?)    "        .559

.45-70 & .348 share the same rim thickness of .070"  And require the same shell holder, which won't accept a .45-75 commercial case, and vice versa.  The rim thickness for all the cartridges for the 1876 have a rim thickness of .062

Reference CARTRIDGES OF THE WORLD, 3d Ed.  Sorry, I didn't check the SAAMI specs.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Steve.lobo;  Try Chapparal arms in Italy.

http://www.chaparralarms.com/contactus.htm

Here is their cartridge dimension charts; (I believe that the dimension for "correct head diameter" is actually the rim diameter.  My .45-75 cases measure .562 in front of the rim.)

http://www.chaparralarms.com/specs/calibers.htm

I think my cases are not Jamison, as the headstamp is "WRA C A".   Probably Chapparal Arms? Expect to pay about 2 Euros per case! (40 euro per 20, as quoted by an Italian pard on this board.)

Here is an earlier post on this board;

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,20544.0.html