Prepping new 45 colt brass

[Wagon Box Willy]

Joec,

  I only shoot 45 colt but I load it differently for my pistol and rifle.  For my rifle I use a heavy crimp and a 250gr bullet so as to aid in case expansion and the possible reduction of blow back (I shoot a '66 which can get real dirty with BP).  For my pistol rounds I use a 200gr bullet and light crimp.

I plan on annealing my BPCR rounds so I'll probably start annealing my rifle rounds as well as the heavy crimp is tougher on the brass than the light one I use for my pistols.

  Willy

[joec]

Joec,

  I only shoot 45 colt but I load it differently for my pistol and rifle.  For my rifle I use a heavy crimp and a 250gr bullet so as to aid in case expansion and the possible reduction of blow back (I shoot a '66 which can get real dirty with BP).  For my pistol rounds I use a 200gr bullet and light crimp.

I plan on annealing my BPCR rounds so I'll probably start annealing my rifle rounds as well as the heavy crimp is tougher on the brass than the light one I use for my pistols.

  Willy

Thanks Willy since at the moment I'm shooting the same rounds in both my pistols and rifle. My rifle is a Rossi 92 and 250 gr bullets loaded with pyrdex but plan on switch when it is used up to either GOEX or Swiss real black powder. I really am looking for a powder/bullet combo to shot from both pistol and rifle for this.

[Wagon Box Willy]

joec,

I just updated my BPCR page with a simple DIY case holder for annealing in case you decide to anneal.  It's at the bottom of the page.  Annealing was easier to do than I had expected.

http://nhwoodworker.com/Gallery/cas/bpcr/

Willy

[joec]

joec,

I just updated my BPCR page with a simple DIY case holder for annealing in case you decide to anneal.  It's at the bottom of the page.  Annealing was easier to do than I had expected.

http://nhwoodworker.com/Gallery/cas/bpcr/

Willy

Nice site Willy and I saved it to my favorites for when I have more time to study it a bit. 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I'll give more applause for the pictures & explanations on your well-done website, WBW!

[Wagon Box Willy]

Thanks!

  Willy

[Wills Point Pete]

 If you have a casting thermometer and cast your own bullets there is a much easier way to anneal your brass. Set your full lead pot or casting furnace to 765 degrees F.  Dip each casemouth into some oil, anything from three in one to the used oil from changing the oil in the car. Then hold the case by the head and dip it into the hot lead. You will see the brass change color, or colour to Paladin Uk, it will turn sorta bluish. You will want that blue to go down past the crimp, I have good luck letting it go around half to two thirds of the bullets seating depth. Drop it into a bucket of cold water. I keep ice floating in the water because that way I know the water isn't getting too hot.

It won't take long before you can really do this fast and easy. Do always decap the cases first and make sure they are dry before starting. Water and hot lead is a really poor combo. the oil won't hurt but you want to let most of the oil drain off before dipping the cases.

This trick was used by handloaders back before the turn of the 20th Century and on up to the days of Phil Sharpe and Townsed Whelan. Somehow it got lost, probably because it wasn't complicated enough for the jet age.