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450/400 brass question

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26 June 2013, 20:15
eny
450/400 brass question
Can 3 and a quarter brass be trimmed to 3 inch?
26 June 2013, 20:29
465H&H
Most of the time the answer is yes. But realize that the 3" case uses the thick rim and the 3 1/4" uses a thin rimmed case. You may not get a good firing pin strike when using a thin rimmed case in a 3' gun. Saying that, I have done it for my my jeffery 3" gun with out any problems. You will also need to full length size the cases.

465H&H
26 June 2013, 22:10
cal pappas
Rim is different, shoulder is different.
No is the easy answer as thin rim won't headspace properly.
The time it would take to reform the case and trim it (without the rim problem) would make it not cost effective.
Buy new brass. It's all over the place.
Cal


_______________________________

Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.com
www.CalPappas.blogspot.com
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2006 Tanzania
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2008 Zimbabwe
2012 Australia
2013 South Africa
2013 Zimbabwe
2013 Australia
2016 Zimbabwe
2017 Zimbabwe
2018 South Africa
2018 Zimbabwe--vacation
2019 South Africa
2019 Botswana
2019 Zimbabwe vacation
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______________________________
27 June 2013, 04:55
eny
Thanks guys, just seemed like a question that ought to be asked.
27 June 2013, 05:27
Dutch44
what Cal said.


Dutch
27 June 2013, 05:57
465H&H
quote:
Originally posted by cal pappas:
Rim is different, shoulder is different.
No is the easy answer as thin rim won't headspace properly.
The time it would take to reform the case and trim it (without the rim problem) would make it not cost effective.
Buy new brass. It's all over the place.
Cal



The shoulder on the 3" case is farther forward than on the 3 1/4" case. This prevents the 3" case being chambered in a 3 1/4" gun. This was a good idea as the bullet diameter of most 3" guns was .411 vs .408 for the 3 1/4" cartridge. I was sold a 450/400 as a 3/1/4" gun I fired around 20 rounds of 3/1/4" Kynoch factory loads through it before I realized that is was a 3" gun. They chambered easily, shot accurately and caused no problems. Cal is correct in that 3 1/4" brass is now easy to come by.

465H&H
27 June 2013, 08:15
eny
It is 3" I need, If you don't mind cal, where is it all over the place? I admit I haven't been looking too hard yet.
27 June 2013, 08:41
505G
Hornady make ammo and brass.

Might be cheaper to buy loaded ammo
and fire it off.

Use Google or look at the usual,
Midway, Huntingtons etc etc


Previously 500N with many thousands of posts !
27 June 2013, 15:07
cal pappas
Eny:
Hornady, Superior, Kynamco produce loaded ammo. All are on the 'net for a Google.

Huntingtons carry brass from several makers, Midway should also. (Bullets, dies, shell holders from them, too).

Bertram down under also produces brass.

Also at local gun shows and many dealers in doubles have a supply of brass and/or ammo in stock from past sales.

Cheers,
Cal


_______________________________

Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.com
www.CalPappas.blogspot.com
1994 Zimbabwe
1997 Zimbabwe
1998 Zimbabwe
1999 Zimbabwe
1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation
2000 Australia
2002 South Africa
2003 South Africa
2003 Zimbabwe
2005 South Africa
2005 Zimbabwe
2006 Tanzania
2006 Zimbabwe--vacation
2007 Zimbabwe--vacation
2008 Zimbabwe
2012 Australia
2013 South Africa
2013 Zimbabwe
2013 Australia
2016 Zimbabwe
2017 Zimbabwe
2018 South Africa
2018 Zimbabwe--vacation
2019 South Africa
2019 Botswana
2019 Zimbabwe vacation
2021 South Africa
2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later)
______________________________
27 June 2013, 23:27
ELeeton
Eny,

There is a guy on one of the auction sites who sells once fired brass. I've made a purchase and expect that the brass will be here next week. If you want to PM me I'll let you know what I think of the brass when I get it.

Sometimes you can find the Hornady brass for sale and on sale at Midway and others but in today's market I am happy to find it available.

Eric


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Brno ZP-149 45-120 NE

28 June 2013, 00:40
450NE
eny,
PM sent