Chuck said
The example in the drawing is exaggerated.  There is a .051″ difference from one end of the taper to the other.

I just realized that the drawing was showing the dimensions of a converted cartridge.  I measured the original cartridge I have and the diameter of the rim “D” is .649″, the diameter of the base “B” is .549″ and the neck with a seated bullet is .476″ “F”.

Yeah I didn’t pay attention to the RCC being a conversion from .450 Nitro Express. The RCC brass has the overall case length and neck diameter is right. But the rim diameter and head diameter are slightly different. I don’t have one of these chambered rifles, but I’m guessing there is no issues with using reloaded fire formed cases in them.

I do wonder why RCC would need to lathe turn the base to .533 when the .450 N.E. base is .545. Where the French drawing shows the 13.95mm base (converts to .549″), Why not just leave the the base and rim alone?

Sincerely,

Maverick

Jeff C. said
I emailed RCC to see if they have a cartridge dimension drawing I can look at before ordering.  It’s interesting that Maverick’s yellow French drawing converted to inches corresponds exactly to Chuck’s measurements: .549/head and .649/rim diameter.  A surmise is that the person who drew the French diagram was basing their measurements off the same brand cartridge.

Chuck:  What headstamp does your cartridge have?  A couple other members have said they’ll provide dimensions from actual cartridges when they have time.  It will be interesting to see if they vary and by how much by brand headstamp.  

The white and yellow drawing are from the French company Gevelot. Gevelot was founded in 1820. It was later combined with Gaupillat to form Gevelot and Gaupillat. In 1894 the name was changed again to Societe Francaise des Munitions (SFM). I found a 1910 dated catalog that states (Anciens établissements Gévelot et Gaupillat – Société Française des Munitions de Chasse, de Tir et de Guerre – Société Française des Munitions) translated to Former Gévelot and Gaupillat establishments – French Society of Munitions for Hunting, Shooting and War – French Munitions Society, 1910. The Gevelot name was used up until 1980 when Gevelot became part of N.C.S. 

Dan Shuey’s WRACo head stamp book has some good notes on the 45 EX, “Mr. Starkweather’s letter of 12/5/1911 makes this cartridge obsolete and discontinued. C.I.M. #1159 of 3/15/1912, that gun shop no longer makes rifles in this caliber.” Page 115 of Vol.II also notes, “*1916 Last loaded – One Hand Loaded Lot (6)”

Since the 45 Express was a proprietary Winchester cartridge, I agree that SFM no doubt copied / made measurements from the Winchester brand cartridge for their own production purposes. The style of head stamp shown drawn is that of Winchester’s head stamp. 

Sincerely,

Maverick

Jeff C. said
I emailed RCC to see if they have a cartridge dimension drawing I can look at before ordering.  It’s interesting that Maverick’s yellow French drawing converted to inches corresponds exactly to Chuck’s measurements: .549/head and .649/rim diameter.  A surmise is that the person who drew the French diagram was basing their measurements off the same brand cartridge.

Chuck:  What headstamp does your cartridge have?  A couple other members have said they’ll provide dimensions from actual cartridges when they have time.  It will be interesting to see if they — vary and by how much — by brand headstamp.  

The head stamp is  WRACO 45 EX.  Winchester is the only one I know of that made these.

Bert H. said

Yes I do…  

Wow!  That is very cool.  There can’t be many boxes of these out there.  Anyone else here have a box?

Bert H. said

In addition to having (2) full boxes of Winchester 45 Express, I also have (2) full boxes of the Winchester 38 Express, and (1) full box of Winchester 40 Express cartridges.  Unfortunately, I do not (yet) have a rifle in any of those cartridges, even though that are not nearly as uncommon as my 50 Express, 405 WCF, and 40-90 Ballard rifles.  Eventually, I will find one reasonably priced!

Bert  

Not one, but TWO boxes of .45 Express!  Good grief.  And of course the .38 Express and .40 Express cartridges are darn rare.  I have a particular fondness for full boxes of large, rare cartridges.