Since I started reloading, I have been considering getting a revolver in .45 ACP and possibly getting rid of my .38 special so there is one less type of ammo I have to reload. When I was inspecting some 7.62x54 cartridges I had just tumbled and finding one with a split mouth this got me thinking. Is it possible to reform these to .45 auto rim cases? Rather than waste the whole case after a split mouth.
Forming .45 Autorim Brass
- Thread starter Ellsnjel
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243winxb
Member
I think the case wall would be to thick , requiring inside reaming. The rim thickness would also need to be about the same . Sorta like reaming 44 auto mag brass from 308 or 06.
243winxb
Member
http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_caseform.html I see 45 acp from 308 forming dies. No help.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Won't work, for the reasons mentioned above.
But even more importantly, it won't work because the rim is too thin, and the case is .010" larger in front of the rim.
Even if you could resize the case that much, you can't resize it all the way to the rim due to the shell holder clearence.
7.62x54R rim is .064" thick.
Rim is .570" in diameter.
Case body is .486" .200" in front of the rim.
.45 Auto Rim is .089" thick.
Rim is .516" in diameter.
Case body is .476" in front of rim.
rc
But even more importantly, it won't work because the rim is too thin, and the case is .010" larger in front of the rim.
Even if you could resize the case that much, you can't resize it all the way to the rim due to the shell holder clearence.
7.62x54R rim is .064" thick.
Rim is .570" in diameter.
Case body is .486" .200" in front of the rim.
.45 Auto Rim is .089" thick.
Rim is .516" in diameter.
Case body is .476" in front of rim.
rc
"The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions" by John Donnelly may have a conversion process for 45 Auto Rim.
https://www.huntingtons.com/store/product.php?productid=20225&cat=23&page=1
I've used the book for information on other cartridges. Sorry, my copy is not handy to look at at the present.
I form cases for one obsolete cartridge and a few wildcats.
I have forming dies to make 221 Remington from 223 Remington. I purchased these when it looked like 221 Remington cases would no longer be available. I used them a little but have been able to lay in an adequate inventory of factory new cases in the mean time.
When 300 BLK was in its infancy, I formed 1500 or so cases.
In my opinion, you really got to like forming cases, even simple conversions, to make cases versus buying them.
I only enjoying forming cases for those firearms that I have no other source of cases except to make my own.
https://www.huntingtons.com/store/product.php?productid=20225&cat=23&page=1
I've used the book for information on other cartridges. Sorry, my copy is not handy to look at at the present.
I form cases for one obsolete cartridge and a few wildcats.
I have forming dies to make 221 Remington from 223 Remington. I purchased these when it looked like 221 Remington cases would no longer be available. I used them a little but have been able to lay in an adequate inventory of factory new cases in the mean time.
When 300 BLK was in its infancy, I formed 1500 or so cases.
In my opinion, you really got to like forming cases, even simple conversions, to make cases versus buying them.
I only enjoying forming cases for those firearms that I have no other source of cases except to make my own.
entropy
Member
The bevels on .45 Auto Rim and 7.62x54R are way different also. Auto Rim's is a small, sharp bevel, 54R's starts somewhere in the middle of the base. Then there's the fact that while .45 Auto Rim brass is not very plentiful, neither is 7.62x54R brass. Forming .45 Auto Rim from steel cased 7.62x54R would be nice If it worked, as many people with Mosins have cases of steel case ammo, but they'd play hell with the forming dies if it were even possible.
I've found another way; Aluminum cased Blazer .45ACP cases are abundant at the range I belong to, and I always pick them up. I separate out any Berdan primed ones, (CCI went from Berdan priming to small pistol sometime ago, but I still occasionally find them) and lightly tumble them. Decap and prime as normal, then very lightly flare them, as they crack easily on the bell.
I haven't loaded any of them up yet, because I don't have a .45 ACP revolver, yet. But I figure a nice mild load with Bullseye will push a 185 LSWC or 200 LRN for a nice plinking load. I wouldn't expect to be able to re-use the cases again, but hey, they were free in the first place.
I've found another way; Aluminum cased Blazer .45ACP cases are abundant at the range I belong to, and I always pick them up. I separate out any Berdan primed ones, (CCI went from Berdan priming to small pistol sometime ago, but I still occasionally find them) and lightly tumble them. Decap and prime as normal, then very lightly flare them, as they crack easily on the bell.
I haven't loaded any of them up yet, because I don't have a .45 ACP revolver, yet. But I figure a nice mild load with Bullseye will push a 185 LSWC or 200 LRN for a nice plinking load. I wouldn't expect to be able to re-use the cases again, but hey, they were free in the first place.
243winxb
Member
RCBS makes a 45 Auto Rim forming die, but doesnt say what the parent case is? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/414264/rcbs-case-forming-die-45-auto-rim Read the info on the link page.
Base Forming Die $169
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Don't know of anything with a thick enough rim for the AR.
Archie
Member
On top of everything else already said:
Starline makes brand new, shiny, brass .45 Auto Rim empty cases suitable for loading. Fairly cheap when I bought some last month or so.
Starline makes brand new, shiny, brass .45 Auto Rim empty cases suitable for loading. Fairly cheap when I bought some last month or so.
I already have access to 7.62x54 brass since I load for my Mosin Nagant after surplus ammo started drying up. Really what gave me this idea was when the case mouth splits, rather than throw out the whole case, just cut it back and use it for .45 auto rim brass.
I realized this after trying to size one from the one case I rejected from my last batch of 7.62x54 brass after tumbling.
Drue
Member
Starline?
I appreciate the suggestions for star line brass, but my intention here is not to have this be my sole source of Autorim brass when I do purchase a .45 caliber revolver but to save 7.62x54 cases that would other wise be unusable for 7.62x54
.455_Hunter
Member
Why not just put the cost of the forming dies into a bulk buy of Starline brass? Your time and sanity must be worth something to you...
Hangingrock
Member
Why are you concerned with the availability of Auto-Rim cases? The standard 45ACP cases with half-moon clips is what I used in my M1917, M25 series and M625 unless you are doing some special and or experimental loading.
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