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March 31, 2009
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Some of you might know I bought one of these not to long ago. And me being me I can not stand to have a rifle I have not shot. I started looking through all the brass I have and found some 45-120 Sharps that I thought might work. But after comparing the two I decided the Sharps brass would have to be blown out so much it might become to thin and not hold up.
Here are some of the brass I have. The 45 EX is on the left next to the Sharps 45-120. Notice how thin the body of the Sharps is compared to the Winchester EX. The case on the right end is a 45-90.
So I set out to find some 50-3-1/4″ Sharps brass. Bertram makes it but they won’t ship it to the US. So I looked in Canada. Canada won’t ship it to the US either. So with some help I was able to get a box delivered to the Cody show.
Here is a picture of a 50 3 1/4″ shell next to a 45 EX round.
Next is a picture of a 45 EX sticking into the 50-3 1/4″ case. 
Here is how far the
50 3 1/4″ would go into my chamber
Now after some squeezing is the case as of today. 
I had to order a couple things to go any further. I did not and will not use any loading tools to shape the case. After I fire form a couple cases I will have some dies made.
This rifle, according to Bert was one of 5 that went to India in 1887 on the same Order No. They went to a store in Madras. Here is a picture of the barrel.
May 23, 2009
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Chuck said
I did not and will not use any loading tools to shape the case. After I fire form a couple cases I will have some dies made.
For my own curiosity, Who do you plan on using to make you some dies? And what type of equipment will you be using with said dies?
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
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February 8, 2022
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Good luck with your project. I bought a set of 45-125 CH 4D dies from Buffalo Arms last year. Buffalo Arms also shows RCBS 45-125 dies on their website although both brands are on back order right now.
March 31, 2009
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Maverick said
Chuck said
I did not and will not use any loading tools to shape the case. After I fire form a couple cases I will have some dies made.
For my own curiosity, Who do you plan on using to make you some dies? And what type of equipment will you be using with said dies?
Sincerely,
Maverick
I have used Whidden Gunworks in Nashville, Georgia before. I also know Redding makes custom dies. Cortina Precision in Texas said they might be able to make them. Not sure what you mean by equipment? I have 4 presses and hope one of them may be capable of full length sizing and bullet seating. If not I will have to borrow a press that has more height.
March 31, 2009
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JC said
Good luck with your project. I bought a set of 45-125 CH 4D dies from Buffalo Arms last year. Buffalo Arms also shows RCBS 45-125 dies on their website although both brands are on back order right now.
I’d love to have a set but I can’t wait the 2 years. I should call CH4D to see what they say.
November 7, 2015
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Chuck-
Good score on the brass. I’m wondering if you could get away with neck sizing, maybe size the body now and then with a long 50 straight sizing die. Have you slugged the bore?
Mike
March 31, 2009
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TXGunNut said
Chuck-Good score on the brass. I’m wondering if you could get away with neck sizing, maybe size the body now and then with a long 50 straight sizing die. Have you slugged the bore?
Mike
The entire case from the mouth to the rim needs to be sized just to get it into the chamber. I have not slugged the bore. I do have a lot of 300 gr. 45 cal bullets in .458″ and .459″ diameters. Right now I’m doing what I need to do to just shoot the brass a few times. I sorted the brass and found 2 that the rim was the smallest diameter and actually fit. The rest are close but will have to be turned. I also need to figure out the correct shell holder. I have 2 Forester co-ax presses that use jaws instead of a shell holder. These come with 2 sets of jaws and each set can be set for 2 different size ranges. These open up quite a bit and close as the handle is brought down. I haven’t had time to tear one apart. I have a custom expander but I need something to grab the case when I try to pull it out. As you can see I am about 3/4″ from getting the brass into the chamber. I have to work at each end of the case as I go. I need to make something to squeeze these areas that’s why I ordered a couple of things. Considering that I got home from Cody with the brass late Sunday and everyday after I’ve had other duties to fulfill. I’ve still made some good progress.
November 7, 2015
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Chuck-
I misunderstood the issue with case body diameter, sizing die for a straight wall .50 won’t work. Bummer. Been kinda busy around here, too. Yesterday was office day, today was landscape maintenance day. All good, tonight is Thirsty Thursday with Dave Alexander at Firelight Winery!
Maybe tomorrow I’ll get that sight I scored from Ben installed, someone around here has called a meeting at my favorite .22 range.
Mike
March 31, 2009
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Chuck said
JC said
Good luck with your project. I bought a set of 45-125 CH 4D dies from Buffalo Arms last year. Buffalo Arms also shows RCBS 45-125 dies on their website although both brands are on back order right now.
I’d love to have a set but I can’t wait the 2 years. I should call CH4D to see what they say.
I think CH4D was bought out? Now CH Tool and Die?
November 19, 2006
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By the way, very nice rifle.
March 31, 2009
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Thank you. It is in pretty good shape. But any faults can be overlooked due to the rarity. Bert says just over 600 were made.
February 8, 2022
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Yes, they are now CH Tool and die. You have to contact them to check availability and to order, I just bought a 30 Newton NS die from them.
What is the rim thickness of the 50 Sharps 3 1/4”? The 45 Winchester Express/45-125 measures about .067” thick.
March 31, 2009
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JC said
Yes, they are now CH Tool and die. You have to contact them to check availability and to order, I just bought a 30 Newton NS die from them.What is the rim thickness of the 50 Sharps 3 1/4”? The 45 Winchester Express/45-125 measures about .067” thick.
The rim thickness varies on my original rounds from .067″ to .069″ and .064″ to .066″ on the 50’s. Not really worried about the headspace. I am not going to shoot these much.
I contacted CH. There is a 14 to 18 month wait.
July 14, 2016
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Lets see the whole rifle Chuck! Looks nice from what we can see so far…
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
March 31, 2009
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Chris D said
Lets see the whole rifle Chuck! Looks nice from what we can see so far…
OK, I had to take some pictures for my files anyway.
Here is a side view.
April 15, 2005
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Chuck said
Chris D said
Lets see the whole rifle Chuck! Looks nice from what we can see so far…
OK, I had to take some pictures for my files anyway.
Here is a side view.
When you get tired of looking at it, send it my way… I am sure that I can find a good home for it 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
Chuck said
Chris D said
Lets see the whole rifle Chuck! Looks nice from what we can see so far…
OK, I had to take some pictures for my files anyway.
Here is a side view.
When you get tired of looking at it, send it my way… I am sure that I can find a good home for it
Chuck-
I might be able to find a use for it if the Texas Legislature passes an open season on T-Rex during their special session starting Monday. Some are not happy about being called back to Austin so anything could happen. Maybe Shrapnel could use it for especially unruly gophers. Looks like it hasn’t been shot much, understandably.
Mike
January 7, 2017
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I have a .577/450 die set, if you think that will help you form the brass. I’d be happy to loan it to you for a bit. Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
March 31, 2009
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rwsem said
I have a .577/450 die set, if you think that will help you form the brass. I’d be happy to loan it to you for a bit. Ron
Thanks for the offer. I’ll look at the specs and see if it might help.
March 31, 2009
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TXGunNut said
Maybe Shrapnel could use it for especially unruly gophers. Looks like it hasn’t been shot much, understandably.
Mike
Not sure he needs it. Shrapnel was making shrapnel out of the gophers already.
Not sure how much this rifle has been shot but it does have a very good bore. When I pulled the wood the underside appears to be untouched and very dry. I may have been the first to remove the stock. I oiled the metal surfaces, noted any markings and put it back together. Appears that the butt plate and stock were marked for proper assembly. Stock was marked 11 and the buttplate was stamped 11.
An interesting side note is that the ledger page that this rifle is listed is full of large caliber rifles. A hand full of 40, 45 and 50 Ex. Smallest caliber is a 22 and a 38-90. About half of the 50 rifles went to the same store in India. There were 2 50-95’s and the 22 with 26″ barrels and a 45-70 with a 32″ barrel but all the rest were 30″. We need to do some shopping in Madras, India.
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