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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

I fire formed 4 more cases today.  I also have made contact with a die maker. 

I tried to reuse the first case I fire formed but the neck is too thick.  I think I might need to use a smaller diameter bullet or inside neck ream the cases.  I have been using some .459″ bullets.  I have some .458″ bullets but not in 300 gr.  I need to slug the barrel to see how small of diameter I can use. 

I’m in the process of reloading the 5 cases that I have fired once.  I told the die maker that I would shoot them 3 times.  He wants to make sure they are all fire formed.  Since no reamer print is available that we know he will use the dimensions of the fire formed cases. 

Here is a picture of the universal decapping die that I use all of the time, the bushing from the top of the RCBS Rock Crusher and the new decapping die.  It worked great.