.43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

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DoctorBill
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.43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by DoctorBill »

I just acquired an Argentine .43 Spanish Remington Rolling Block.

Nice rifle - the rifle is in great condition - the Stock has been brutalized over time.

Right now, for reasons I don't fully understand, Brass is as scarce as "Hen's Teeth" !
Buffalo Arms in Idaho has sold .43 Spanish Brass, but is the Proverbially "Out
of Stock" ! So is everywhere else I can find. Production must be at a standstill.....

Looking at the Buffalo Arms web site, one sees that the Brass they were selling is made
from 50-110 Starline ! Nice that they let me know that bit of information !
Here is what is/was on BA's web page......
Image

Being a resourceful fellow, I just recently obtained 40 Starline 50-110 cases for $1.73 each.
I found a LEE .43 Spanish Two Die Set AND a used Lyman 439186 Estate Sale Mold (e-bay) -
370 grain bullet. . . . . .

Note .43 Spanish .43 Egyptian !

So - here is what I came up with all by my lonesome. In the form of TWO pictures, it is
summarized. If I can do it - YOU can do it. I did use a Lathe for some minor trimming,
but you might be able to use an Electric Drill or a Drill Press and a FILE. Have fun ! I am....

Here is what each portion looks like as you do them -
Image

BTW - The 50-110 is too wide to enter the Lee .43 Spanish Die, so that is the reason that I
pushed it into an 8mm LEBEL die first - to reduce the top end diameter enough to allow the
unformed Case to even go into the LEE .43 Spanish !

When all was done and a case loaded up - it wouldn't go into battery ! Figured out that the
case neck metal was too thick - that is why the neck is filed down (on the lathe) from about
16 thousandths to 9 or 10 thousandths. NOW it fits the rifle.

Here is the "Lathe" work, but you could probably do with a Drill (Press) ......(?)
Image

This took about 30 minutes for each Case. But - I am 78 and 'retired' from all the Bullroar
job duties, so I am enjoying the "Hobby Work" so to say. Love to know just how the Buffalo Arms
"Jobber" is making theirs. Hydraulics ? If you are out there - let me know ! I'll keep your secret....

Have not shot any off yet - just started this project two days ago. Will "FireForm" the Brass at the
Local Rifle Range with 12 gr of Trail Boss. I shoot reduced loads in old BP rifles for obvious reasons.

These old Remington Rollers were made strong - Nitrocellulose Gun Powder had just come into being
(Paul M. E. Vieillea - Frenchman - Wikipedia) about that time, so they anticipated it, so to say.

DoctorBill
Oscarflytyer
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by Oscarflytyer »

44-77 brass is ~same, and sometimes more available. Run thru 43 Spanish die and gtg. Also easier to get w/ the thicker rim.
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DoctorBill
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by DoctorBill »

Thank you - profusely - oscarflytyer for that bit of information !

I just ordered such from Buffalo Arms today - 30 cases ! They HAD some !
Didn't know such a caliber existed ! Ignorance is expensive.....

ADDED as a "postscript" (5-31-2021) .......After MUCH inquiry, I found the Dimensions (specs)
of the 44-77 Brass case and put together the following diagram.
I take NO RESPONSIBILITY for the accuracy of the DATA I used from the Book.
Below. Hope it Helps someone !
Image

DoctorBill
Oscarflytyer
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by Oscarflytyer »

Doc - YW! I happen to be VERY lucky and have a local/friend/(my RB crack dealer!) who is a RB and old cartridge guru! ONLY reason I even knew the 44-77 even existed!
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DoctorBill
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by DoctorBill »

I just recvd the Buffalo Arms 44-77 Brass.

It is "44-77 Sharps Bottle Neck Cases for Originals .085" Rim Thickness"

It has Starline .50 Alaskan on the base !

Image

I wonder if one could reform .50 Alaskan DIRECTLY to .43 Spanish?

THE BASE ?

DoctorBill
oldremguy
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by oldremguy »

DoctorBill,

Great job, thanks for sharing this with us !!!

Have a Good Day,
Matt
Oscarflytyer
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by Oscarflytyer »

Doc

Nice thing I found with the 44-77 brass is two diff rim thickness offerings. and the .085 works best, least in mine.

As far as making them from 50 brass, the NICE thing they do (to get the .085 rim thickness) is "swage the rim to get it thicker. Why you see the small outer 'recessed' rim on the .085 cases.

I am a tinkerer, but I think, to swage that rim, it takes some expensive equipment!
paul harm
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by paul harm »

I'm surprised this wasn't moved to the rifle forum.
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DoctorBill
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Re: .43 Spanish Brass made from Starline 50-110

Post by DoctorBill »

Holy Moley !

I must have been in the usual "Hurry" and clicked the wrong Forum !

Image

Can this me Moved to the RIFLE forum ? If so - please move it !

DoctorBill
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