Cutting down 454 to 45 Colt

[mtb1bkr]

Anyone ever do this?

I jsut received about 250 pieces of 454 brass, some of it loaded that I have to take apart. I have a 45 colt and the brass is only about .01 or so longer I think. I was thinking I might trim it down and use as 45 colt. The neck shouldn't get appreciably larger in such a small trim. What do you all think.

Bill

[Skip Sackett]

I'm wondering if maybe you need to move your decimal point.

The SAAMI spec for the cases are .08" different. Unless someone else has trimmed them before. If they fit in the cylinder @ .010" longer, I wouldn't trim them at all. The case mouth may get appreciabley thicker @ .08" shorter but not @ .010".

Check your calipers again. See if they fit in the chamber without trimming.

Semper Fi, Marine! We are proud of you, Sir!

[mtb1bkr]

Skip,
You got me!! I didn't actually measure them I just looked at my reloading manual and thought it was around .01. They won't chamber untrimmed but I can put a loaded round in the gun and it fits just perfect. I have 100 reloads that I know I can't fire in the pistol because of the pressure. I figured I could just take them apart, trim them a bit and then use them. That sounds like a lot of work so I may just take them apart and sell the primed brass. They are not my reloads, I have the data the fella who loaded them used but it's still someone elses reloads and I wouldn't want to sell them loaded and have someone blow up their gun and injure themselves or others.

Bill

Thanks for your past service in the Corps, you paved the roads I'm traveling now. Semper Fi!!!

[duckloads]

You should sell the 454 brass and buy twice as many 45 colt cases. The last time I looked, a few months ago, the 454 cases were very expensive. Take a look on gunbroker to see the difference in value.

[mtb1bkr]

That's probably what I'll do. I have 50 45 Colt cases and 21 factory loaded rounds. That will hold me over until I get some more brass. I realized that it's a lot of work to trim cases especially now that I have two kids and a 12-14 hour a day job. I guess I'll pull the reloads apart, dump the powder in my garden and sell the primed brass.

Bill

[Alk8944]

+1 to what duckloads said.

If you do choose to use them then absolutely trim to standard .45 Colt length. If crimped rounds will chamber but fired or sized won't it is because they are striking the lead of the charge holes. This taper will keep the crimp from opening and cause a significant increase in pressure, possibly th the point of damaging your gun. Too long cases are hazardous in revolvers just like they are in rifles!

You don't say which primers these cases use, Small Rifle or Large Rifle? It might not seem to make sense, but if you have the cases that use small rifle primers you will need to increase the charge above listed loads in the manuals to get equivalent performance. This isn't speculation but actual experience I have had. I bought some Winchester .454 brass to trim to .45 Colt length hoping they could be loaded somewhat heavier in a Marlin rifle. It lasted just o few tries until I found it took, as I recall, nearly 15% more powder to equal velocities in standard .45 Colt brass with LP primers instead of the SR. Not exactly a profitable effort!.

[ArchAngelCD]

I also agree, sell the 454 Casull brass and can probably buy twice as much .45 Colt brass.