Making .40-50 Sharps brass

[Ballardguy]

Some years back I bought a cheap Harbor Freight 2" mini chop saw just to save time shortening longer cases I reform from. One of the best tools I own when it comes to making brass quicker and easier!
Recently did a trade with a friend of brass so he could have some new .30-40 Krag brass and I got the .303 British he had to make up my .40-50 Sharps Straight brass. I cut the brass at 1.80" length with my 2" chop saw first. I can do 100 pcs. in less than 10 minutes with the tiny chop saw!







Then after getting them all chopped of close, I do the final trim cleanup to 1.78" length to fit my chambers on my Schoyen Ballard and Rolling Block Creedmoor rifle. They don't need much once cut off beyond expanding necks to .410" to make them ready to prime, charge and load bullets.

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[bcp]

A great little saw. I bought one of them , then later bought another clearance/return one, for very little, to have a spare. Get some spare blades, too. Someday they may not be available.

I like that ease of forming obsolete or wildcat brass, compared to shortening, neck forming, neck turning, rim changing etc.

Bruce

 

[Ballardguy]

A great little saw. I bought one of them , then later bought another clearance/return one, for very little, to have a spare. Get some spare blades, too. Someday they may not be available.

I like that ease of forming obsolete or wildcat brass, compared to shortening, neck forming, neck turning, rim changing etc.

Bruce

Good idea on spare blades. I've used mine a lot and it's still sharp, but never considered maybe needing a spare or two. Have to run over and see if they carry them.

 

[bcp]

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-100t-mini-circular-saw-blade-3-pack-70427.html

Bruce

 

[Ballardguy]

Last week I contacted C&H4D about die sets for the .40-50SS cartridge. In the past I've bought a number of oddball obsolete die sets from them, but more recently heard guys say that C&H4D was 2 years behind on custom die sets. But I figured I'd give them a shot and was told they had die materials going out for heat treatment and it would be 6-8 weeks to be ready. I could put my name on their backorder list and they'd contact me when they were ready.
So this morning I checked my emails and there was a reply form C&H4D stating my dies were ready, and please click the link to order! So less than a week from backorder to ready to ship! Not sure why people are telling me two years of waiting?