40-82 brass from 45-70 cases
I recently acquired a very nice 1895 Marlin, but in cal. 40-82. The ammo and brass are hard to come by and pricey when available. I've been told you can form the brass using a special forming die, but the price of the die is $125.
Does anyone know a more cost effective way to form the brass?
Ideas may be sent direct to: blacarrow@starband.net
Thanks
Rob
Does anyone know a more cost effective way to form the brass?
Ideas may be sent direct to: blacarrow@starband.net
Thanks
Rob
0
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Hello Rob,
You can make 40-82 from 45-70, but they will not be full length when you are done. Please refer to the cartridge specs. listed on this site - http://www.reloadbench.com/cartspec.html
As you can see, a 40-82 is 2.40" in length and the 45-70 is 2.105" (before reforming). I am guessing that after reforming it, you might squeeze it up to 2.2". You might also consider using 45-90 W.C.F. brass instead.
Oops... forgot to mention that PMC is factory loading 45-90 W.C.F. ammo, so finding empty/new brass should not be too difficult.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Hi Rob;
The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions by John J. Donnelly page 506 states "make from .45 basic. Cut case to 2.45". Anneal and form in form die. Trim to length and chamfer. full length size."
Cartridge case length is 2.40"
for GOD and COUNTRY
Vet0 -
Hi Rob, I agree with the 45 Basic brass, or maybe 45-90 brass. Midway has the latter @ $75.00 per 100. Check the auction sites for an old set of 40-82 dies; that's how I got mine for less than $20.00. I don't think you would actually need a forming die, I form my 40-65 brass from 45-70 and the regular FL die works just fine. Take it slow, maybe 3-4 strokes, advancing a little at a time to arrive at the formed length. Hope this helps. I like to see the "old ones" get used as they were intended. Emery
"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin0 -
When sizing down cases I use Imperial Wax instead of sizing lube. Never had any problems since I started using it. Just don't put too much on the case--a little goes a long way. You might want to give it a try. 0 -
Rob...the 40-82 WCF is indeed a sized down 45-90 WCF just as the 40-65 WCF is a sized down 45-70. The last 3 reloading tools that Winchester made (models 1888, 1891 and 1894) full length sized the cases while seating the bullet. They can also be used to make a 40-82 out of a 45-90. If you get desperate, send your 45-90 cases to me and I will run them through this old 1888 tool. I use my black powder lube for sizing cases and it works great. Very little needed. 
max
load the old ones with the old tools.....<P>
http://www.picturetrail.com/blackpowdermax0 -
Rob,
Nice to "meet" you!
IMHO, the .40-82 is one of the all time great BP / smokeless cartridges, although it never achieved a high level of popularity and factory ammo has not been produced for a good sixty years. I've had two M1886 rifles in this caliber over the years and found them to be extraordinarily accurate. Just an intrinsically accurate cartridge, much like the .32-40.
As others have stated, forming the brass from .45-70 results in a short case (I would strongly advise against this) and the best source of brass is the Starline .45-90 offered by Midway. Don't even think of investing in .45 Basic (cost) or the Bertram material offered by OWS & others (cost & quality). You may be able to find brass already formed elsewhere, but you are going to be looking at $2 per case, minimum. Original rounds, however, run around $6, so that's not so bad. IME, the case forming step is required, but obviously others feel differently and I have a *high* level of respect for bpm's expertise, so I won't state my position as an imperative.
If you had posted this question even a month ago, I could have made your brass for you. I have the tooling . . . and also the correct jacketed bullets from a special order with Barnes. No way I can make the brass now for at least a year as all my gear is packed & I won't be setting up to reload in the new abode . . . that will have to wait until I have a place of my own somewhere down the road. If you wish some jacketed bullets, drop me a line . . . say in August . . . by then I should have enough stuff unpacked that I can locate a box or two.
Good luck with your project. I guarantee you will find it worth the effort - that is one fine cartridge!
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)0 -
Rob, I forgot to tell you that Redding has a 40-82 3 die set for $65.00, also CH-4D has a set for around $97.00. Emery
"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin0 -
Iconoclast....teak, how are you? Haven't talked at you for awhile.
You're probably correct about the case forming. I have only used these old tools for sizing down cases intended for the older rifles and I suspect the chambers were a bit "larger" than modern chambers in the same caliber. I used a Winchester 1891 (40-65) tool to size down 45-70 cases for a 40-60 Marlin. Worked like a champ. I suspect if I were trying to make cases for a new Shiloh or Ballard, the story might be different. I don't know where the 1895 Marlin would fit in the chamber tightness range.
Rob...I often see old Winchester bullet molds and loading tools for the 40-82 WCF on the auction sites if you're interested in trying that route. Good luck..........
max
load the old ones with the old tools.....<P>
http://www.picturetrail.com/blackpowdermax0 -
Max, trying to get moved while dealing with a bad back (two procedures over winter). Haven't been listing auctions (as you may have noticed) because all my time has been devoted to this effort. Hopefully come late summer, I can get back into that. Only reason I post here is that between my back problems and the meds, I need to sit down and baby myself several times a day . . . and this is as good a way as any to do that. Good to "see" *you,* as well!
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)0
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