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Reloading the 45-75
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January 3, 2024 - 5:22 pm
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Loaded up my empty 45-75 brass last night. I only had 11 empties, but given how hard this brass is to come by in its original specs, I only have a total of 40 brass casings for this vintage caliber that was chambered in the original Winchester Model 1876. I read that they quit producing 45-75 ammo in the 1930’s. Anyway, here are two photos. The first one shows a 45-75 cartridge beside one of my 38-55 cartridges. The second one shows all eleven cartridges lying on the page that shows my chronograph results for various loads. In acquiring brass, I found out that some modern repro brass uses a thicker rim for modern 45-75 reproductions, so it is important to make sure any new brass orders are for the original thinner rim. Half my brass is by Bertram and it worked perfectly with no modifications. The other half is the “original” option from Ammunition Artifacts (I think I got the last bag) and I had to thin the neck walls down to the original specs on those as they would not chamber when a .458 cast bullet was installed. It should be noted that they stated on their website that a .454 bullet would be required, but that is too small a diameter in my original 1876 to give good accuracy when the groove diameter is .457. The Bertram brass worked perfectly.

45-75-and-38-55.jpgImage Enlarger45-75-bunch.jpgImage Enlarger

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January 3, 2024 - 6:59 pm
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Hi Kirk,

That’s some great information.  It’s great to keep the “old girls” shooting as Mark Douglas might say.

I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder

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January 4, 2024 - 1:28 am
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Good job, Kirk. Sometimes it’s a labor of love to keep these old rifles fed. Very interesting cartridge, it’s a shame the brass is scarce.

 

Mike

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January 5, 2024 - 6:11 pm
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I have lots of Bertram brass in many calibers and the only problem I have encountered is for my high wall in 45-90.  I had to sort the cases by rim thickness because some were too thick to allow the round to be chambered.  They chambered fine in my 1886.

Kirk, where are you getting your bullets?

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January 6, 2024 - 3:25 am
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Chuck said
I have lots of Bertram brass in many calibers and the only problem I have encountered is for my high wall in 45-90.  I had to sort the cases by rim thickness because some were too thick to allow the round to be chambered.  They chambered fine in my 1886.

Kirk, where are you getting your bullets?

  

Chuck-

I’d bet he gets them out of a hot mould.

 

Mike

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January 6, 2024 - 11:06 pm
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Sure look nice.

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January 10, 2024 - 1:49 am
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Chuck, I cast my own from a custom mould I ordered from Accurate Moulds. I think you could order the same mould. It is Accurate 46-350 DL https://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-350DL and it is for the 45-75. It gives a proper O.A.L. and feeds no problem and is accurate as my eyeballs can make it.

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January 10, 2024 - 1:51 pm
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Chuck said
Sure look nice.

  

They certainly do!

 

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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