The Accurate Reloading Forums
HORNADY 450 NE BRASS - CAN IT BE NECKED DOWN IN DIES TO MAKE 450/400 3 1/4 NE AMMO?
15 November 2007, 01:26
BigFiveJackHORNADY 450 NE BRASS - CAN IT BE NECKED DOWN IN DIES TO MAKE 450/400 3 1/4 NE AMMO?
I hope this new brass can be used to make
loads for the rifle that I recently acquired.
Does anyone know the answer for sure?
Jack
OH GOD! {Seriously, we need the help.}
15 November 2007, 02:05
400 Nitro ExpressJack:
Yes, it can. I did the same for 3" in the old days. Better to buy what .450/.400 3 1/4" brass you can find for now, and wait...
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."
15 November 2007, 02:05
500NFind out the RIM Thickness and this will
answer your question.
If they stick to "thin rim" brass, then yes,
it should be able to.
15 November 2007, 02:42
400 Nitro ExpressNigel:
They're going to offer .450 3 1/4" Nitro Express ammunition, and are making their own brass and bullets. It's .042" rim, so it will work for forming .450/.400 3 1/4" cases.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."
15 November 2007, 03:07
500N400
Thanks
That's good to hear - at least brass will be available for quite a while then, even if it's used 450.
Will probably give a resurgence to the 450/400 3 1/4" as well - which is good.
15 November 2007, 03:33
400 Nitro ExpressYeah, it's nothing but good news.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."
15 November 2007, 04:42
Tim CarneyJack,
Some old experience here: I acquired a Jefferey 450/400 3 inch in South Africa in 1983 or 1984 and bought Bell 450 3-1/4 base brass cases to form. Needed a set of form dies and had to do some neck reaming (all very instructive to someone like me who had never taken a shop course).
With respect to earlier postings, suggest someone who can speak with authority advise you. Recommend you call Huntingtons and ask them. Or maybe call Hornady.
Regards, Tim
15 November 2007, 10:48
BigFiveJackThanks Men,
As an aside, I thought the 450/400 3 inch
Jeffery had a rim thickness of
.060 and
the older 450/400 3 1/4 inch had a rim
thickness of
.042. Are these #'s correct?
Jack
OH GOD! {Seriously, we need the help.}
15 November 2007, 11:07
500Nquote:
Originally posted by BigFiveJack:
Thanks Men,
As an aside, I thought the 450/400 3 inch
Jeffery had a rim thickness of .060 and
the older 450/400 3 1/4 inch had a rim
thickness of .042. Are these #'s correct?
Ye, that's my understanding of it.
15 November 2007, 11:21
BigFiveJackHi Nigel,
"Nowadays" I work many overnight shifts, so I am up
at times that I used to be asleep and vice versa!
Jack
OH GOD! {Seriously, we need the help.}
15 November 2007, 11:50
400 Nitro ExpressJack:
No, .450/.400 3" has an .065" max rim.
The .450 3 1/4" and the .450/.400 3 1/4" both have an .042" max rim. So, you can form the 3 1/4" .400 from standard .450 NE brass. Yes, you do need forming dies. Don't try it with a standard die as the neck will collapse.
I made .450/.400 3" from BELL .065" rim .450 3 1/4" Basic. I don't know what other cartridges were formed from the thick rim .450 Basic (maybe .360 No. 2), but Bell, Sr. did make it, as well as thin rim .450 Basic. I still have 40 unformed rounds of the thick rim left.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."
15 November 2007, 15:33
BigFiveJackquote:
Originally posted by 400 Nitro Express:
Jack:
No, .450/.400 3" has an .065" max rim.
The .450 3 1/4" and the .450/.400 3 1/4" both have an .042" max rim. So, you can form the 3 1/4" .400 from standard .450 NE brass. Yes, you do need forming dies. Don't try it with a standard die as the neck will collapse.
I made .450/.400 3" from BELL .065" rim .450 3 1/4" Basic. I don't know what other cartridges were formed from the thick rim .450 Basic (maybe .360 No. 2), but Bell, Sr. did make it, as well as thin rim .450 Basic. I still have 40 unformed rounds of the thick rim left.
Thanks Mark. NOW I GET IT! 
Jack
OH GOD! {Seriously, we need the help.}