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Highwall in 45 EX
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Chuck
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August 7, 2025 - 11:27 pm
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Here is the picture.  I loaded the 45-120 Sharps case with about 50 grs of FFg and then the rest with cornmeal. This case would hold the whole 125 grains but I knew better.  The 50 Sharps case is on the left, next is a Factory 45 EX, then a 45-120 Sharps case and finally the fired case.  Did exactly what I thought it might do.  No damage to anything other than my ego and the case.  The chamber sent all of the junk down the barrel so none near me.  I ordered some different brass and will see where that may lead me. 

 

IMG_8028.jpg

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Bert H.
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August 7, 2025 - 11:37 pm
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Chuck,

I would anneal the 50-125 case, lube it, and then run it part way into a 45-90 die to squeeze the first 1.25″ of the case.

Bert

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High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

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Chuck
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August 8, 2025 - 3:39 pm
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Bert H. said
Chuck,
I would anneal the 50-125 case, lube it, and then run it part way into a 45-90 die to squeeze the first 1.25″ of the case.
Bert
  

Bert, did all that.  I actually got a case to go into the chamber except for the last 1/16″.   I can’t squeeze the base any further with the equipment I have. 

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JC
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August 10, 2025 - 7:31 am
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steve004 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.
  

JC –
I recall we discussed your rifle almost three years ago:
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-hunting-shooting-reloading/shooting-collector-ammunition-45-express/
Did you end up shooting it?
  

I did, I fired an original case with fresh 2f and a new primer then sent it to RMC to duplicate a few months ago. I’ll eventually post a follow up on the original thread.

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steve004
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August 10, 2025 - 1:38 pm
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JC said

steve004 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.
  

JC –
I recall we discussed your rifle almost three years ago:
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-hunting-shooting-reloading/shooting-collector-ammunition-45-express/
Did you end up shooting it?
  

I did, I fired an original case with fresh 2f and a new primer then sent it to RMC to duplicate a few months ago. I’ll eventually post a follow up on the original thread.
  

I appreciate the update.  I look forward to the next one.

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Chuck
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August 10, 2025 - 4:25 pm
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Chuck said

Bert H. said
Chuck,
I would anneal the 50-125 case, lube it, and then run it part way into a 45-90 die to squeeze the first 1.25″ of the case.
Bert
  

Bert, did all that.  I actually got a case to go into the chamber except for the last 1/16″.   I can’t squeeze the base any further with the equipment I have. 
  

Just to be clear, a 50 cal case will not even start into the 45-90 die unless you reduce the diameter first.  I did reduce it but not enough of the the length so when things got tight it crushed the case. 

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Chuck
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August 13, 2025 - 12:06 am
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Last night after dinner I received a package from Buffalo Arms.  I had ordered some 45 Cal brushes and a cleaning jag.  I also ordered 5 ea. 450 Nitro Express cases to try out.  I loaded about 3/4 of a case with FFg and filled the rest with compressed toilet paper to the point the bullet would sit on top of this.  Here is a picture of an unfired case next to the fired case.  On the right is a Factory 45 EX.  Looks like I will have to load the other 4 for next week.  I haven’t figured out how to get my chrono to work through all the smoke. 

Problems are I don’t have a way to de cap the primer or easily put some back in.  I don’t have a de capping pin that is long enough but may be able to rig something up.  I used a bench vise to put in the primer and seat the bullet. 

 

450-NE-Case.jpg

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Bert H.
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August 13, 2025 - 1:48 am
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Interesting!  It appears that the case stretched enough to conform to the 45 Express chamber without splitting.

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Chuck
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August 13, 2025 - 3:55 pm
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Bert H. said
Interesting!  It appears that the case stretched enough to conform to the 45 Express chamber without splitting.
  

Yes, these cases have a larger head diameter than the Sharps 45-120 that split.  So as the body expanded it didn’t tear away from the head. I’m going to call Buffalo Arms and order some more brass.  I will also have a conversation about getting a longer decapping rod.

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Chuck
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August 14, 2025 - 12:33 am
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Ordered more brass but still up in the air about de capping.  I did email a couple of companies for suggestions.  Found a way to de cap but need a permanent and better way.  I also experimented with my priming tools and have found a way to prime the brass with the Rock Crusher.  I don’t normally use this tool to prime so I found that one of the parts was bent.  I swapped the part and it is ready to go.    

I primed 5 cases for next Tuesday.  Need to shoot these about 4 times before sending a few of them off to a die maker.  If I can find one that can make dies this long. Even finding an ammo storage box is fun. 

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Chuck
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August 15, 2025 - 5:34 pm
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Just got off the phone with Wayne of Mighty Armory.  He has a decapping die that will work. I use one of his universal decapping dies already but it is too short.  Only thing is that I have to remove the threaded bushing on top of my rock crusher press because the threads are 1.25″ x 12.  This die is for the .375 Chey Tac, 50 BMG and the .338 Lapua length cases.  I’ve shot 2 of the 3 rounds and don’t want to own one of these or shoot one on a regular basis.   But if someone is interested there is a Chey Tac with ammo in the shop right now.  Shoulder pad not included. 

 

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TXGunNut
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August 15, 2025 - 9:46 pm
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Cool! I forget about those really big thumpers as a Trap gun is about all my old shoulder wants to handle these days. Good to know about that bushing. 

 

 

Mike

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Chuck
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August 17, 2025 - 4:24 pm
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TXGunNut said
Cool! I forget about those really big thumpers as a Trap gun is about all my old shoulder wants to handle these days. Good to know about that bushing. 
 
 
Mike
  

I’ve had to remove the bushing before to use some dies I got from Lee Precision.  I use one of their swage dies to make the bullets for the Henry/1866.  Turn 45 cal to .443 cal.

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TXGunNut
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August 18, 2025 - 7:18 pm
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Chuck-

My primary single stage press is an old RCBS Reloader Special. My secondary press is another RS but it’s the aluminum model I bolted to a little stand for situations calling for a portable press. It has a bushing but I figured that had more to do with the frame material. 

 

Mike

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Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
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Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
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