Trapdoor Rifles

I recently acquired some 58 caliber charge tubes, most likely the same blue tubes sold on S&S.
I found that they are much closer in rim size than 28 gauge brass shot shells. I cut one down to 1.70 as is the case length for .58 rimfire then chambered it in my 1st Allin conversion. It seemed to chamber and eject much nicer than the brass case. It is also thicker so with a 590 diameter bullet in the case it doesn't fit in the chamber. Measuring the case I believe a 575 diameter bullet would work??
As far as ignition, I believe a small hole as close as possible to the rim, as with the brass cases but rather than a 22 blank I could use a paper cap either taped or glued to the base.
I'm sure there are others here with more experience at home reloading than I and was wondering if this method would work, as I believe it would is the hard plastic charge tube durable enough to withstand say 35 to 40 gr. 2F black powder?

Since you seem to like shooting your 1st Allin more than occasionally, have you ever considered having someone turn proper cases for you? You could still drill and counterbore for the blank, to save some money, but everything else would be perfect...

Dick Hosmer wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 3:56 am Since you seem to like shooting your 1st Allin more than occasionally, have you ever considered having someone turn proper cases for you? You could still drill and counterbore for the blank, to save some money, but everything else would be perfect...

Yes I have Dick but as of yet I've not found anyone skill to enough to make them.

Anyone should be able to turn the basic shape - I'm guessing it is the thin wall that is troublesome. Here's a thought: What about leaving the wall at say 1/8" thick and using a heel-type bullet, which could probably be hand-seated? At the bench you do not have to worry about fragility of the round, such as the early LRR experiments with 80gr in the 2.1" case, which did not hold up to field handling...

AFAIK, custom molds are no problem.

Has anyone explored 3-D printing of cases?

For me. just having to orient the round in the chamber would be sufficient annoyance. Yes, I know it's not MY money, but it seems there should be an alternative to the gyrations you are performing now.

I had custom molds made Dick, 590 diameter as the original bullet. I talked to a company in Texas before covid about making rim fire cases for 58 caliber, sent him a round along with original dimensions. This was a company that made special cases for rim fire that took a 22 blank. Luckily I had not sent money as they went out of business and I never got my 58 rim fire round returned
My idea of loading without a die, which I don't have anyway other than a homemade crimping die, was to use these plastic cases with a 575 diameter mine ball. These could be loaded at the bench as the bullet would be seated by hand.
I believe this would work as I've seen plastic cases for the Burnside and also the Smith Carbine.
Just an idea to toss around.