There are a few of you guys that are restricted to 1.8 cartridges in Indiana and I believe Michigan as well. Have any of you all trimmed a 444 Marlin, 375 Winchester or 45-70 back to 1.8" and loaded a heavy (long) bullet to the same COAL as a standard case?
I messed around a few months back, shortening a Starline case to 1.8", used a 405 cast bullet, over the same charge as my standard load. I only shot three, but they functioned fine.
Wondering if you all have tried any of this.
The 300 and 350's were a touch too short for the shortened case, but 405's worked fine when crimped with a Lee FCD. I'd also look to see if you could use a powder like H322 or H335 which would be sorta supportive of the bullet as well, but I can't see how this would be any less legal for you than any other type of wildcat being made up.
Seems like a good way to use them good old 45-70's and 444's for your deer hunting and still get great speeds and power on target. Not that a 44 mag or 45 Long Colt is underpowered, but the 444/45-70 would offer a little extra.
I'd probably scrub the chambers a little more to make sure you didn't develop a carbon ring (sort of a 38 Special in a 357 Mag deal)..
Sorry, the thought just sorta tripped in my brain..
I messed around a few months back, shortening a Starline case to 1.8", used a 405 cast bullet, over the same charge as my standard load. I only shot three, but they functioned fine.
Wondering if you all have tried any of this.
The 300 and 350's were a touch too short for the shortened case, but 405's worked fine when crimped with a Lee FCD. I'd also look to see if you could use a powder like H322 or H335 which would be sorta supportive of the bullet as well, but I can't see how this would be any less legal for you than any other type of wildcat being made up.
Seems like a good way to use them good old 45-70's and 444's for your deer hunting and still get great speeds and power on target. Not that a 44 mag or 45 Long Colt is underpowered, but the 444/45-70 would offer a little extra.
I'd probably scrub the chambers a little more to make sure you didn't develop a carbon ring (sort of a 38 Special in a 357 Mag deal)..
Sorry, the thought just sorta tripped in my brain..