.308 Win brass to .44 Automag case

[AndyC]

Some of you may have heard of this - cutting-down a .308, .30-'06 or .270 case to make .44 Automag brass, so for general interests' sake, here it is.

Leaving out some finer details, it pretty much involves sawing off a .308 case in the trim-die, filing it smooth in that same die (very hard - a file won't cut it) and then sticking that cut-down case into the reamer die and reaming out the inside of the case (so that a .44 bullet will fit):



The small pile of brass just under the cut-off case-neck is actually the result of reaming inside the case; it's a substantial amount of brass.

[flechero]

As a guy who like the idea and the ability to do that... I give you major kudos! But until the apocalypse I have to think your time is worth more than new brass costs. ($0.35-$0.41/ea.)

https://www.starlinebrass.com/44-auto-mag-brass

[AndyC]

I have Starline brass. What if it becomes unavailable?

[jason812]

Andy, I have seen the trim dies and they seem pretty labor intensive. Should be able to make a fixture and use the Harbor Freight mini chop saw to speed that up. Then use the trim die just to do the final length. It works for 300 blackout, don't see why it wouldn't work for these.

[AndyC]

Yep, they'd be a good alternative for trimming in itself, but that wasn't the point of this post - I just wanted to show how this was done. One day I'll probably get one of those mini chop-saws ;)

[flechero]

I have Starline brass. What if it becomes unavailable?

I agree- point was that you've proven the technique (super cool by the way) so you can get by in the event brass becomes unavailable... but while available, I'd buy it! (in sufficient quantity to last a while)

[AndyC]

I have a stash of 500 - minus a few lost at the range

Still, the .308 brass is undoubtedly stronger, which is a plus - and one could possibly use 308, 30-06 and 270 brass for specific loads... eg "Oh, 270 headstamp - this is the hot load..." or whatever. It appeals to my tinkering nature.

Anyway, just thought it might be of general interest seeing the process.

[T.O.M.]

any easier way is to use a table saw with a fine tooth carbide tooth blade and a rip fence , you would need to make a clam shell stile jig out of wood it will hold 10-15 pieces of brass in the same way we all made 300 Blackout brass out of 5.56 brass you can ruff trim 75-100 + pieces an hour then you can fine trim to length and ream if necessary

[ghostrider]

One day I'll probably get one of those mini chop-saws ;)

oh, thanks. Now you have me trying to come with a reason to buy one of these saws... :-)

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-mini ... 62136.html

or maybe the bigger one so I can cut steel:

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-55-a ... 61204.html

[T.O.M.]

back in the 1970s it was the only way to get brass other than new ammo