Search the Community

Somebody tipped me off to this cool little jig that allows you to effortlessly cut down .45 Colt cases to use in loading Cowboy 45 Special cases. it works with the Harbor Freight mini Chop Saw. It has some adjustment, I settled on 0.900-0.906” and then used my Lee Quick Trimmer on my Single stage press to do the final trim, deburr and chamfer. i was able to convert 50 cases in about an hour. https://ebay.us/m/4IABUu

Since there is very little load data for C45S, I deconstructed an American Cowboy brand cowboy 45 Special, 180grn RNFP round today. OAL: 1.175” case length: 0.8905” bullet weight: 184grn (?wax ring?) Pulled bullet diameter: .453” Powder charge: 2.8grn Powder Brand: unknown pictures follow

Just checked Starlines website, and our common dash calibers: 32-20, 38-40, 44-40, plus 50 Alaskan (used to make other calibers) are all on back-order status, meaning they are taking orders. I think they must be caught up with all the 9mm and .223 that was probably taking most of their resources during and after the pandemic, as these dash calibers have been available for ordering more often lately. Also, 45 Cowboy Special is available for immediate shipping.

I think I've come up with a jig to cut down my OLD 45 Colt cases. Need some help after that part . 1- I'll be using a Lee "Quick trim" trimmer, the question is which "trim die" I need? I assume a 45colt will not reach down to them and I think the 45ACP is tapered if I'm not mistaken & not the same diameter. 2- Using a Dillon SDB, which dies will I need to reload. I assume I can size/deprime with the 45 colt---- bell, powder & seat with the 45ACP dies---But what do I need to use to crimp. Any other tips greatly appreciated as I've also heard that I'll need to thin the new mouth of the shortened brass. Haven't a clue how to do that! The projects I invent for myself Thanks in Advance, EH

First and foremost I want to thank Widowmaker Hill for documenting the conversion process on the Marauder website. http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Widdermajic_Marlin.htm And all those that Widowmaker thanked in his documentation that were instrumental in the development of the C45S and Marlins to shoot them. This project started last fall when I bought an 1894 Cowboy in 45 Colt. I was already shooting the C45S in the Cattleman and wanted to get down to one load. This project is not for the squeamish. If you're not confident when it comes to modifying "innerds" then I wouldn't suggest trying this mod. I thought I had the skills and understood how Marlins worked. But this project has tought me a lot. I may have had confidence beyond my skill level but I bought some insurance by not cutting on any of the original parts. I back ordered a new carrier from MidwayUsa. If I messed it up I could go back to the original carrier and only be out time and money. It took some four months to get the new carrier. I won't tell you every bump in the road but there were a number of them. But fortunately, no wrecks. Widowmaker was kind enough to guide me past the problems. I know what I muddled over that maybe took me weeks to resolve could have taken minutes in Widowmaker's knowledgeable hands. But so be it. The challenge was to do it myself even if it was like making another wheel that someone else had invented. While at this point it feeds and cycles and shoots C45S just fine, I have not made any other mods to the gun or done any 'slicking'. At this point it won't cycle 45 Colt on this carrier. That feature is not important to me right now. And I have the original carrier if I want to switch back. Again, thanks to Widowmaker Hill for his help.