Trapdoor Rifles

Good morning from South Carolina.
I thought I would start here as there is a lot of experienced shooters and reloaders. I'm unable to locate any new or used 40-65 brass. The option I am down to is to size down from the parent cartridge 45-70 brass. I know I need dies but have no idea how to form my own brass. Can anyone offer any suggestions. As an aside this is for an 1885 High Wall.


Thanks,
DocJoe
(859) 801-8537

DocJoe, It would be a good idea to post this on the assra.com or shilohrifle.com site as there are a number of 40-65 shooters there that do form their brass from 45-70 cases. Some recent post have described just what you are asking.

I had no trouble using 40-65 dies on 45-70 brass. Cases well-lubed ("Unique" case lube worked by far the best for me) and sized in small stages. I used nickel-plated cases to differentiate between 40 and 45 rounds. I found by accident that a 40-65 round shoots quite poorly when fired in a 45-70.