Highwall in 45 EX|Page 4|Winchester Hunting, Shooting & Reloading|Forum|Winchester Collector

Loaded the 5 rounds for the 3rd firing with 31 grains of 4198.  This was the most miserable day of this entire process.  Mid 90’s in the garage.  The cases have formed well but this caused me problems. I don’t really have anything to squeeze the necks to get any amount of neck tension.  I tried at least 4 other 45 cal dies but the EX is just too fat near the neck to go into the dies.  I should have stopped and gone into the house to cool off.  One mistake after another.  The worst was I knocked a die set off the shelf.  It hit my scale and the container of powder.   What a mess.  No harm to the scale but after I cleaned up the mess a whole lot of powder got thrown out in the grass.  No way to clean out all the dirt and junk from the powder. 

I’m done.  Going to read more of Jeff’s book.  No bourbon for me, too early.  I’d just fall asleep in my recliner.  You know me, I chronograph everything.  I put a small wad of toilet paper over the charge to keep it all near the primer.  Nothing like flaming toilet paper in the morning.  I hate cleaning guns, especially when fired with black powder. 

I shot the 5 rounds again.  BUT, my chronograph’s rechargeable battery pack died.  I did get data for 2 of the 5 cartridges.  1,136 fps and 1,115 fps.  According to Barnes, Cartridges of the World, 35 grains of 4198 should produce 1,475 fps.  So the 31 grains I used came in under that.  I ordered a new battery pack and should be back in business for next week.  Since I have some brass that has not been fire formed I may use these instead.  This way I know the bullets are real tight in the neck. 

I need to inventory my powder.  After the incident last week I may need to buy some 4198 and probably some others too.  Powder is so expensive.  4198 is around $50.