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bpjack
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Forming 38-70 Brass
Oct 1st, 2026 at 8:27pm
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I just acquired a 14 twist 38-70 BBL for a high wall from eBay.  #5 weight 34" long.  Doubles as a pry bar.   
Before I start Googleing, anyone have experience with forming brass?  I have some well used 45-90 I can use.

Thanks

Jack
  

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bpjack
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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #1 - Oct 1st, 2026 at 8:44pm
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So far the not so helpful AI generated answer is to use a 38-70 sizing die after anealing a 45-90 case then trim to length. If I had the correct die I would not need your useless help Google.
« Last Edit: Oct 1st, 2026 at 9:01pm by bpjack »  

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marlinguy
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but they sure are neater!

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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #2 - Oct 2nd, 2026 at 11:17am
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I've never made .38-70 brass, but when I had my 1895 Marlin in .33 WCF I made them from .45-70 easily. I'd start using a .40-65 die set to gradually taper the cases down, and then move to the .38-70 die to get them made. Imperial sizing wax and 4-5 gradual runs through each die will get you there.
Be careful annealing prior to sizing down as it can sometimes result in wrinkled cases. I'd try it without annealing beforehand, and anneal after they're fprmed down.
  

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bpjack
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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #3 - yesterday at 11:48am
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It appears that I will be able to avoid having to buy any 38-70 dies. A sizing die alone is $130 if it is even available from C&H. A 3 die set is $265. The Buffalo Arms brass is a perfect fit. I am able to only use bullets of about .377 or less due to a tight chamber. My .380 bullets that I use or my two 38-55s are too fat. A loaded round will not chamber.  I have a Hoch tapered bullet that works for fixed ammo when the case is expanded with a M die and I can slip fit them into a BP case when expanded with a custom expander plug. For those cases that I over expanded, running them into a 32-40 sizing die about 1/2” brings them back to specs. 
Next week I will be shooting BP and fixed with the Hoch bullet.
  

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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #4 - yesterday at 11:53am
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Jack, you can neck turn some of the brass for larger bullets.
  

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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #5 - yesterday at 12:58pm
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I think the .380 Saeco might be too fat for the bore. I haven’t tried my 248 gr bullets yet. If the Hoch shoots well I will not worry about other bullets.
  

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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #6 - yesterday at 7:37pm
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So, what is the groove size?
  

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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #7 - yesterday at 8:01pm
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The best that I could measure is:  The bore is .370 and the groove is just over .374.
  

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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #8 - yesterday at 10:30pm
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bpjack
I noted finally you mention that this barrel is a 14 twist.
That twist will be good to fully stabilize only for up to a 300-330gr bullet up to about 1.3" long.
and at up to 200yds burning a lot of powder. Essentially an 
Express Load. light bullet at Hi Velocity. 
A 38-55 would be adequate for those limitations as you probably know from your experience with that ctg
Perhaps if it is a quality barrel, cut off the chamber and 
redo it in 38-55 for a nice heavy 200yds bench gun for Schuetzen.
beltfed/arnie
« Last Edit: yesterday at 10:36pm by beltfed »  
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Re: Forming 38-70 Brass
Reply #9 - yesterday at 11:17pm
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I have lots of options and am curious as to how this will shoot. The BP loads I put together today are using a 30-1 Hoch bullet weighing in a a bit over 315gr  I will be breech seating the same bullet in 20-1. My other two 38s have mostly been shot using BP. One is relatively new to me using a barrel I bought a while back from Jerry Hartwig. There are not many matches around here any more with 2 at Tacoma that I help run. We are lucky to get 4 centerfire shooters. The match director wants to expand the .22 benchrest participation and will probably invite bolt guns next year.  The other match’s are CBA in Puyallup. Virtually no offhand or iron sights. I am considering joining the local BP ctg shooters at my home range.  Only 100 and 200 yds. I will do a shootout with my 38-55, the 38-70 and my seldom shot 40-65. To top things off I purchased a 32 cal blank and a set back 32-40 #4 weight barrel within the last week. I have 2 new 22s and two iron sight DST 32-40s to play with.  Too many choices. Too little time.
  

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