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Dave seemed to have doubts that you could resize 45-70 into 8 x 58RD using just a size die.

I had a spare 1/4 of an hour yesterday so I dug out some old Winchester 45 - 70 cases that i'd retired, annealed the s***e out of them, Imperial waxed them and put them through a CH-4D FL size die. I took a couple of photos this time just to reassure the old dear.

In the photo below you see from right to left:

Full length size die with decapping stem removed.

Buffalo Arms reformed 45-70 brass with stretched necks

Annealed Winchester 45-70 case. The batch that this case is from had been shot over 20 times and was retired.

Similar case after forming in the die.

As you can see it is shorter than the stretched BA case.

The shorter neck should not be a problem but a chamber slug should be taken of the rifle just to be sure.

The necks will stretch somewhat on firing, Winchester brass is very thin so a thicker case like Starline or R-P would give a little more length. 45-90 cases could also be an option but I've never tried that.

You can see that the reformed cases chambers OK and just need the rims reducing to finally fit.

7.62 x 54R can be fire formed in the chamber as the rim does fit but the case head diameter is a tad less so you just need to check the final fit after fire forming, the case will come out around the same legth as the reformed 45-70 cases.

Both should get you shooting though subject to checking your chamber.

Thank you for posting that Dromia, given the scary prices of 8x58RD at Kranks I will be on the look out for some dies and 45-70 or 45-90 brass very shortly.

You used the standard full length 8x58RD die for this?

Reminds me, I was chatting to a chap shooting a muzzle loader at 1000 today with a 1:10 Whitworth twist and hex boolits cast to suit. 500 grains from memory, an impressive looking three band Enfield repro I asked how he was doing.

"Not hit a bloody thing but having loads of fun" Was his reply. :goodjob:

ovenpaa wrote:
You used the standard full length 8x58RD die for this?

Yes, as per the post.

You do seem to have a crediblility issue with this. :lol:

dromia wrote:

ovenpaa wrote:
You used the standard full length 8x58RD die for this?

Yes, as per the post.

You do seem to have a crediblility issue with this. :lol:

Dromia,

From Triebel's P.A.U.L.A:

8x58 Danish Krag:
Body diameter : 12,75mm
Rim diameter : 14,65mm
Lenght :57,75mm

.45-70 Government
Body diameter : 12,84mm
Rim diameter : 15,44 mm
Lenght : 48,01mm

Even considering sizing down the case rear diameter 0,09mm down and creating tapers be a considerable effort for a simple sizing die and the fact reducing the diameters wull mmake the brass to extend forward somewhat, Ithe neck will be VERY short, and the rim will still have to be turned down.

The .45-90 at 60,96mm could eventually do..

RG.C

They do size very easily see first post.

The short neck may or may not be an issue depending on your throat.

As stated and shown in the photographs the rims will need reducing.

Trimming the rim is not an issue, my preference would be .45-90 as it gives the full length. Ideally I would find some brass from each and see how it performs for me. I just wish I had grabbed some of the factory 8x58RD when I saw it.

First thing is to find some dies so if anyone has a spare set shout please! I may also turn an inter stage die just to make life slightly easier, so part size, anneal again and then finish with a full length body die.

Ovenpaa, this might be of interest.

http://dutchman.rebooty.com/GB8x58RD.html

Thanks Sandgroper, I had skimmed the page in DK but never went back to it so a handy reminder!

From "The handloaders manual of cartridge conversions", two alternatives for making 8x58R brass could be 405 WIN or 7x65 Brenneke. I don't know if they are any easier to source, but they are mentioned for similar cartridges.

Sandgroper wrote:From "The handloaders manual of cartridge conversions", two alternatives for making 8x58R brass could be 405 WIN or 7x65 Brenneke. I don't know if they are any easier to source, but they are mentioned for similar cartridges.

I had not read that so handy information. What I need is a source of readily available good quality brass that I can press gang into use and not pay GBP2.50 plus per case.