Does anyone have a quick/easy way to fire form a bottleneck case into a straight case? I am going from a 30-40 Krag to a 40-60 Maynard. Just thinking a case full of black with a card wad on top sealed with Elmer's glue should work. I have made various wildcat cases in my press before but this is the first time trying to form a bottleneck into a straight case. Ideas?

Thanks:

Flatlander

I have used the same method as ramrod, but I used a cork wad about 3/8" thick. You may need to anneal the case neck and shoulder to prevent them from splitting.

Jesse

Fire forming would probably work. Made some 38-50 Rem. from 30-40 Krag using a homemade expander die. Had trouble with the necks collapsing if annealed before expanding. No splits with new brass. Anneal after. Lubrication critical. Small crease that irons out after a few shots.
Chuck

I used a tapered expander button when making 221 Fireball into a 300Whisper. It worked like a charm.

Redding could probably make you one that will get you from .30 to .40.


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Thanks all. I still may give the fire form a try. I have had bad luck trying to expand cases farther than they were designed for. Too many splits even with  annealing. May have to try some Bullseye . I still have a half-pound left that  I bought so long ago the price on the 1 lb. can is $2.95 (1974???). Might just be the way to go. May never live long enough to use it up any other way.

Flatlander

I have done this several times, annealed necks and shoulders and made 40-70 Ballard from 7mm rim mauser with some old powder, 4895 I believe with a plug of FRESH Play- doh.  Couldnt find a cat to shoot at.  Then same with 30-40 to 40-70 Sharps Strait, a little short, but works - now someone sells unnecked untrimmed 30-40 brass.  Then tried 22HP to 32-35 Maynard - a disaster as 90% split.  Next time I'll try a slice of raw potato or parrafin.  The Play doh is a little messy.  I just played with the powder dose, will try faster burning next.
Jim