Wesley James Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 I have about 100 cleaned 45-70 cases that were purchased as part of an estate deal. Looks like someone at some point cut into the rim of the case to "mark they?" Lets take a poll: A: Why do such a thing? B: Would you feel safe reloading and reusing these cases? Please let me know you thoughts Wesley James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 (edited) More permanent than marking with paint or ink, as a way to ensure the case is always oriented in the chamber the same way each time. By chance was the prior owner a BPCR competitor? I would feel absolutely fine reloading them and using them in a single shot... a repeater, I'd watch how they look after the first time... If no ill effect, I'd continue using them. Edited November 11, 2023 by Griff 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley James Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 My guess was marking for Black powder vs Smokeless. I didn't think about orientation, Good call. My plan is to reloading for lever rifle, lighter than stock loads, more pleasurable to shoot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 Yeah, my only 45-70 is a lever gun. I wouldn't hesitate to reload them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.K. Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 Also check the case length. They may have been cut down for a different caliber ( .45-60). Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cholla Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Griff said: More permanent than marking with paint or ink, as a way to ensure the case is always oriented in the chamber the same way each time. By chance was the prior owner a BPCR competitor? I would feel absolutely fine reloading them and using them in a single shot... a repeater, I'd watch how they look after the first time... If no ill effect, I'd continue using them. This is the answer. Some do the same with a file. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 to properly orient in chamber would'nt you place them in the chamber with the same point of refernce point. I had gotten to the point that I referenced the sprue to the case in line with the caliber markings, and the case to chamber with the WIN mark at the 12 oclock point. seemed to work the best in my Sharps for sillouette shooting. Quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Monger Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 The permanent marks on the case rim could indicate the case has been modified. Check the diameter of the flash hole to see if it has been enlarged. Some people open up the flash hole for black powder cartridges and mark them so they will not be used with smokeless loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley James Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 I should have mentioned this in the original post. Case over all length, primmer pocket and flash hole match my "New, Unfired" Starline cases. I am going to assume the previous owner was shooting black powder and was clocking the round in the chamber. Thanks all for your input. It's nice to have a sounding board for a second (third) opinion!! Wes 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stump Water Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 4 hours ago, Griff said: More permanent than marking with paint or ink, as a way to ensure the case is always oriented in the chamber the same way each time. And oriented in the press the same way each time when resizing* and seating the bullet. *Someone going to this extent is most likely not full-length resizing the case as he wants it to retain the "fire-formed" shape of the chamber. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Sheridan Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Locking used to be one of the common things to see done by guys shooting BPCR. It’s been since shown to have no effect unless the chamber was garbage to begin with. Those marks would have just been easier to reference than the stamp orientation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 would not hesitate loading those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cullie Halfcock Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 (edited) Looks like a good place to post my problem. Worked up some BP loads for my 45/70 sharps today and noticed the cases bulged near the base which made them troublesome to eject. New Starline brass with a recipe from my notes. 2f Swiss with .216 compression, Montana 535 Postell. Been a while since I’ve loaded and the amount of compression made me second guess my previous load notes. They chambered flawlessly so I don’t think I bulged the case with the press. Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Cullie Halfcock. forgot to add- 63.5 grains weighed and 0.30 vegi wad. Edited January 1 by Cullie Halfcock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Creek Jack Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 42 minutes ago, Cullie Halfcock said: Looks like a good place to post my problem. Worked up some BP loads for my 45/70 sharps today and noticed the cases bulged near the base which made them troublesome to eject. New Starline brass with a recipe from my notes. 2f Swiss with .216 compression, Montana 535 Postell. Been a while since I’ve loaded and the amount of compression made me second guess my previous load notes. They chambered flawlessly so I don’t think I bulged the case with the press. Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Cullie Halfcock. forgot to add- 63.5 grains weighed and 0.30 vegi wad. Did you fire these loads in the same rifle as before? Thats almost the same load I use with the addition of a paper circle between the vegi. wad and the bullet base, excellent load! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cullie Halfcock Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 Same rifle new brass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cullie Halfcock Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 Actually there is an outlier and that’s the primer. I used REM No. 9 1/2 and usually use Winchester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 Sounds like your chamber is ringed. AFAIK nothing in your load would cause brass to do that except a ringed chamber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uriah, SASS # 53822 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 (edited) 2 hours ago, Cullie Halfcock said: Looks like a good place to post my problem. Worked up some BP loads for my 45/70 sharps today and noticed the cases bulged near the base which made them troublesome to eject. New Starline brass with a recipe from my notes. 2f Swiss with .216 compression, Montana 535 Postell. Been a while since I’ve loaded and the amount of compression made me second guess my previous load notes. They chambered flawlessly so I don’t think I bulged the case with the press. Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Cullie Halfcock. forgot to add- 63.5 grains weighed and 0.30 vegi wad. Cullie, New cases, The bulge is noted after loading of the new cases? Sounds very similar to mine. 63.5 grains of Swiss 1.5 in a Remington case, .03 vegi wad. 537 gr Jones 55001 But, your compression seems a bit high. .065” is what I run. 2.970 OAL I marked all my cases 25 years ago until I figured it was moot. Uriah Edited January 2 by Uriah, SASS # 53822 Edit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cullie Halfcock Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 (edited) Thanks guys! Yes they chambered easily, after firing they stuck a little and left a friction mark on the case. Not horrible but had to push them back in and eject a few times to get them out. Shot several rounds prior to that with no issues that I thought was the same load. I backed off in increments and made up 3 different 5 round loads to try tomorrow. The bulge was not there off the press……. Only after firing…… and one more note, they did seem HOT! Edited January 2 by Cullie Halfcock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cullie Halfcock Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 49 minutes ago, Uriah, SASS # 53822 said: Cullie, New cases, The bulge is noted after loading of the new cases? Sounds very similar to mine. 63.5 grains of Swiss 1.5 in a Remington case, .03 vegi wad. 537 gr Jones 55001 But, your compression seems a bit high. .065” is what I run. 2.970 OAL I marked all my cases 25 years ago until I figured it was moot. Uriah Interesting you have a grease groove exposed. I’m new at this and found that there is a million ways to do it. I had 10 rounds loaded from last fall that I shot today, the gun like them!! Turns out they was once fired REM. Brass. I should be whipped like a rented mule for my lack of note taking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uriah, SASS # 53822 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 3 hours ago, Cullie Halfcock said: Cullie, You might also try the first greased, group exposed, it will give you a little more room, not as much compression. I went to just touching the land to breach seating with mixed results (seldom favorable). I settled on the grease group 1/2 -2/3 exposed. If I push the bullet further, I get a minute ring of lead when I extract the case. When with the greased groove half exposed, I get a “lube ring” after the case is fired. Uriah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 For folks that shoot long range that mark is called indexing and is used to orient the case in the chamber in the same place each time. Swiss does not respond to over compression as well as it could there is a limit. If you over compress it becomes inconsistent. When I shot long range I found that OE was a much better powder and would be more consistent with compression. kR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cullie Halfcock Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 19 hours ago, Uriah, SASS # 53822 said: Cullie, You might also try the first greased, group exposed, it will give you a little more room, not as much compression. I went to just touching the land to breach seating with mixed results (seldom favorable). I settled on the grease group 1/2 -2/3 exposed. If I push the bullet further, I get a minute ring of lead when I extract the case. When with the greased groove half exposed, I get a “lube ring” after the case is fired. Uriah Uriah i found it to be human error on my part. The load I thought I was replicating was actually 63.5 g of 1.5F shutz, in a REM Case. I loaded some Starline with 62 g 2F Swiss and they shot well today. No problems ejecting. Also loaded some with no compression and those grouped well also. I believe 57.5 g Swiss. Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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