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Normal Topic Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle (Read 268 times)
bigpaulespo
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Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Jul 20th, 2026 at 4:18pm
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HELP!
I just received a Sharps 40-50 rifle and my modified 30-40 Krag brass will not chamber.
The specs are as follows:
Original             Modified Brass
Length 1.88          1.873
Head .454               .452
Rim .554                 .5445
Neck .421                .416 (not expanded yet)

All measurements are in inches. Original from Cartridge Conversions book. Barrel is marked 40 1 7/8. Taking the forend off the barrel is marked Gardner. See 1st picture for that

The 2nd picture is what is left hanging.

Ideas?
  
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bigpaulespo
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #1 - Jul 20th, 2026 at 4:20pm
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More
  
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gunlaker
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #2 - Jul 20th, 2026 at 10:07pm
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Looks like a rolling block.  Any chance it's the 40-50 bottle neck rather than the 40-50 straight cartridge?
  
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joelpend
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #3 - yesterday at 12:14am
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See if you can determine where the interference is. Use a black marker to darken the case and it will show you where the interference is. If the chamber was cut with a 40-70SS reamer run in short then the diameter in front of the case head will be smaller than 40-50 specs so you may have to turn some brass from that area at the web of the case.
  
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jhm
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #4 - yesterday at 12:44am
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Not related to your issue but you might want to get the block bushed and go to a smaller dia. firing pin. I have had two of the black powder actions that the primer would flow back into the block due to the large pin size. 



JMH
  
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Ranch13
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #5 - yesterday at 8:57am
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Probably best to do a. cerrosafe chamber cast and see just what you have.
  
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WVsmoke
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #6 - yesterday at 10:08am
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Big Paul,
     I think you just need to re-size your brass.  I ran into a similar problem forming 30-40 brass to 38-50 Rem Hep.  The 30-40 brass is wider near the base than 303 Britt is and our cartridges are.  Once re-sized, you should have no further Problems.
Allan
  
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Dewphd
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #7 - yesterday at 11:14am
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I would second WVsmoke.  I had a similar issue with resizing 303 British brass to fit my 40-50.  Once I full length sized the brass, no problems with chambering.
  
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bigpaulespo
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #8 - yesterday at 1:14pm
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All,

Thanks for the advice. After a very through cleaning of the chamber, the brass and completed cartridge now slide in with minimal effort. Yesterday's post was made after about 30 minutes with the new gun.
I do plan to cast the chamber in the not too distant future.
  
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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
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Re: Issues with "new" 40-50 SS rifle
Reply #9 - yesterday at 2:22pm
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As others mentioned donor brass is the key to good fitment. Both .303 British and .30-40 Krag brass are larger at the base diameter, but the Krag brass is larger than the British, so it usually works the best of the two. I use both, but always have to turn down the base diameter slightly on Krag brass.
I've also found variations by maker too, and Remington brass I've used is the best fit with new brass. As mentioned all donor brass needs full length sizing first.
  
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