First 45-60 loads ??

[King Medallion]

That's a 3 piece stock?!?!? Wow, that is awesome! I just figured it was the original well worn stock. I am envious of you guy's talents. All I know how to do is shoot.

[Slamfire]

 Hey King ,, I must have got the look I wanted ,, thank you for the compliment. ( still lmao ... love the ribbing,,,,,, stay true ).



  coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[Black River Smith]

Slamfire,

Nice work on that full buttstock.  It looks good and looks old timey.  Even made your own buttplate that is impressive work.

I do like my Chaparral 45/60 with its long 28" barrel.  I also have a '86 with a round 26" barrel in 45/70 and it does handle just as easy.

I try to keep my brass at the Chaparral listed COL of 1.89 (same length as Donnelly 'Handloader's Manual of Cart. Conversions list) and load to the OAL of 2.25 even with smokeless.  The rifle has not seen BP(I miss loading and shoot BP in matches) yet because I do not have any outdoor ranges close enough to me and unlike some of you 'lucky guys' I cannot just go out my backdoor and shoot.

Like I stated earlier I would like to put my hands on a 40/60 for the enjoyment of a different size caliber than 45's.

[KenH]

Slamfire, That's an impressive rifle an really shows off the work you've put into it.  That stock made from gluing up 3 pieces really does look good.  More photos of that buttplate you made - looks good to me.

I'm working on the toggle links for my old 1876 now - cutting the first one from steel today after making a practice set from aluminum.  THANK YOU!!

[greyhawk]

Slamfire,
I thought you had a '76 from earlier postings, just did not go back and look.  Congrats now you have two calibers.

If I ever found another reasonably priced '76, I would hope it is a 40/60 rather than the 45/75.  Originally I wanted the first caliber released but after seeing the issues with forming cartridges, the 40/60 would satisfy me.  I tend to stay with original bullet weights and if I can original Winchester bullet molds.  After I got the Lyman 457191, I did find a good Win 45/60 marked mold.

Good luck working up a good load.

BRS
I went for the 45/75 - wanted to stay away from smokeless if I could - I had a 348 already so stocked up on brass first then bought the Uberti Rifle - yeah some work in forming brass but I wouldnt call it "issues" - I made 200 - lost 2 in the process.  Didnt do any fireforming at all just filled em up with blackpowder and went shooting - took about three rounds to fully expand the cases but accuracy was acceptable from the get go. My rifle has not seen smokeless powder and it wont ever.  I can see the logical in using a 45/70 based round but they dont have the cool factor that the 45/75 has 

[Black River Smith]

greyhawk,

Thanks for the advice but it created more questions for me.  First, in order to load and fire three times did you not have to expand the case mouth and neck to fit a 456 or 457 bullet?  How did you do that?  Did you start with a 340 bullet and just fire it down the 45 barrel? Or Anneal, expand, expand more, anneal more, expand more?  Too me these are the 'issues' that result in mouths damage.

You are correct about the loading with BP and firing.  I understand that as fireforming to the chamber dimensions.

[KenH]

Since nobody has responded to your question about forming .348 brass into 45-75 brass.  Not sure how the OP did his reforming, but this looks like one way.  If you look at the .348 brass specs you find cutting .348 brass to the length of 45-75 the neck has been cut away and only the body is left which when ran thru the sizing die does the complete forming of 45-75 brass.

[Black River Smith]

KenH,

Thanks, that explains a lot, as to how, it would work out.  I once had some 348Win brass but tried to work them to 56/50 Spencers and do not have any full length pieces left to measure or play with.

Again thanks.

Did not mean to redirect from the OP about 45/60's