460 Weatherby to 500 A2 Brass (whats Involved?)

14 July 2007, 08:43

Brad aka Pill Shooter

What steps are involved in converting 460 brass into 500 A2 just in case I decide to convert my RSM into a 500 A2 rather than a 500 Jeffery.

Thanks

Brad

14 July 2007, 09:23

Robgunbuilder

Run your 460 brass through a 500 a2 expander. load up with a reasonable 500a2 load, seat bullet, crimp and shoot. out pops .500a2 brass. it headspaces on the belt.-Rob

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!

14 July 2007, 09:31

Macifej

Uh.......buy a .460....cook a big pot of gumbo and drink a couple beers during the time you'd be messin' with that brass.

16 July 2007, 21:20

ScottS

This is how I do it.

1.) Lube case necks (inside)
2.) Run them over a 0.475" expanding ball (mine is homemade, but you can probably buy them).
3.) Run them over a 0.500" expanding ball. (again homemade).
4.) Lube cases up.
5.) Run them through the 500 A Square full length sizing die. (mine is a CH4D).
6.) Clean them up.
7.) Anneal the case necks.
8) Load them with a 525 gas checked hard case slug, a magnum rifle primer, and 95gr of IMR4895 (not in the exact order).
9.) Fire them off and your are done.

I would not recommend taking the 460 Weatherby mag case as is and running directly through the 500 A^2 sizing die. I tried that exactly once, and crushed the shoulder (ie the neck is now inside the case). Ruining ~ $2.35/case cases isn't my idea of fun.

Hope this helps.

By the way, my 500 A^2 is a converted Ruger M77 MkII RSM (formerly a 416 Rigby).

17 July 2007, 01:10

Hog Killer

Primer
20gr Red Dot
packed cornmeal

Done
trim if needed

17 July 2007, 02:05

jeffeosso

quote:
Originally posted by Hog Killer:
Primer
20gr Red Dot
packed cornmeal

Done
trim if needed

bang
trim
done

same thing you do with 550 express brass and all the AR rounds... everything else is work

opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com

17 July 2007, 02:11

analog_peninsula

Are you using hot wax to seal the cornmeal?

17 July 2007, 02:25

Hog Killer

quote:
Originally posted by analog_peninsula:
Are you using hot wax to seal the cornmeal?

No, a small piece of tissue/tp pressed in to top of case mouth helps keep things a little neater. Keep the muzzel up, when loading and firing.

Keith

17 July 2007, 03:15

Canuck

I use the same technique as HogKiller, except that I substitute 'Cream Of Wheat' for the cornmeal, and Unique instead of Red Dot.

I know people that use the wax technique, but I find it messy and a PITA compared to just rolling up a little TP.

Cheers,
Canuck

17 July 2007, 03:46

Hog Killer

Surly nothing is set in stone about Red Dot, Unique works just fine. I have also used it. The only reason I listed RD, I have it on hand and do not reload with it any longer. So it gets the nod for fireforming.

Keith

20 July 2007, 21:19

jeffeosso

bump

quote:
Originally posted by ScottS:
This is how I do it.

1.) Lube case necks (inside)
2.) Run them over a 0.475" expanding ball (mine is homemade, but you can probably buy them).
3.) Run them over a 0.500" expanding ball. (again homemade).
4.) Lube cases up.
5.) Run them through the 500 A Square full length sizing die. (mine is a CH4D).
6.) Clean them up.
7.) Anneal the case necks.
8) Load them with a 525 gas checked hard case slug, a magnum rifle primer, and 95gr of IMR4895 (not in the exact order).
9.) Fire them off and your are done.

I would not recommend taking the 460 Weatherby mag case as is and running directly through the 500 A^2 sizing die. I tried that exactly once, and crushed the shoulder (ie the neck is now inside the case). Ruining ~ $2.35/case cases isn't my idea of fun.

Hope this helps.

By the way, my 500 A^2 is a converted Ruger M77 MkII RSM (formerly a 416 Rigby).

20 July 2007, 23:12

analog_peninsula

I don't have any Red Dot, but do have Unique and Blue Dot. Would 20 gr of Unique be about right? I wouldn't ask, but I have to drive an hour to reach my rifle range so I'd like to get it right the first time.

Thanks

20 July 2007, 23:59

Hog Killer

a_p, it should work just fine. Why not take the supplies with you to the range and put it together there? Prime the cases ahead of time, load the powder, cornmeal(compress with dowl) and tissue at the range. IF you do need to redue a case or two. Take a 1/2" nut, set the case on it, have a stiff wire to deprime the case. Set new primer on flat surface, set case over the primer and seat with a wooden dowl in the case w/light mallet tap.

Keith

02 August 2007, 19:52

analog_peninsula

Just to finish up this thread, I had no problems at all reforming fresh .460 Weatherby brass by simply spraying the cases with lube and then swabbing the necks and shoulders lightly with Imperial sizing wax, before resizing.

I ran a box through my CH4 sizer die without any lost cases. I'll fire off some cast plinker loads this weekend to finish things up.

02 August 2007, 20:34

Idaho Sharpshooter

a_p,

sounds like you have a handle on it. Imperial sizing die wax is just awesome for this type of work. Just to satisfy my own curiousity I once made five 22-250 cases out of 308 military using Imperial and easing it in gently. Lost the first one rushing, then five went perfect with slow pressure. I was curious if a fatter neck would be more accurate...it was.

Rich
DRSS