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My 10ga brass shells came today. They are some Rocky Mountain brand turned shells. I found a gentleman with some new old stock. I tried a few in my J Braddel double but they won't quite chamber due to diameter. They are going to need to be sized. Are dies available for this? I can make a sizing die but had rather purchase one if possible.

JHolland

If yours are anything like my RMC 10 ga cases, I seriously doubt you can resize them with anything less than a swaging press. The brass is as thick as paper hulls to provide a "normal" inside diameter that allows the use of standard wads. You maybe better off doing some careful measuring to determine if you can turn down the outside of the case instead.

OR you have the 10 gauge short chamber, shorter the 2 7/8
Measure your chamber LENGTH

https://www.mecoutdoors.com/super-s...rQnhW3U9o6laUf20S9jaxw5tL-dAcsxbMybYF2KH

Hadn't thought about length but you are right. Going to measure chamber length tonight. Thanks



JHolland

Ok measured the chamber and it is indeed 2 7/8 but is really tight. The shell will go in till about 1/4 inch is sticking out and it seizes up. Checked the shell length and they are all uniform at 2 7/8 length within a few thousandths. I have a RCBS rock chucker press with the removable 7/8 14 bushing. Think I am going to do some measuring and attempt a sizing die. Can't find anything commercially available.


JHolland

Back in the 1870s and 1880s Union Metallic Cartridge Co. offered 10-gauge brass shells from 2 5/8" to 3 1/4". Also, brass shells were offered in A style for use in guns chambered to use paper shells and B style for guns chambered for brass shells only.

Have you smoke a case to see where it is hanging up? If it needs only a slight bit of sizing to fit you might try and roll size the case.

Didn't know there were different case configurations. Good idea smoking a case. Will try that and see what I come up with. Going to check the chambers for taper also.

JHolland

You will have to turn down the outside diameter of the thick brass cases in a lathe. or buy these ... they work great ... https://www.trackofthewolf.com/parts/detail/139/1/shot-shell-10-2-78

I doubt there is a commercially available sizing die, even if one can be found, that can handle the RMC cases.

I also have some RMC cases that I bought used that won't chamber. I had someone take a block of steel and drilled a hole in to a diameter of a RMC case that did chamber and even with a 1 ton arbor press and a lot of case lube the cases would stick in the block with a 1/4" to 1/2" still showing.

The lathe idea will probably work better and cause far less cursing and aggravation.