doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com So I found this old Cape gun/target pictures now

M-4
No, I meant 45-90,50-90 would be used for the larger "A"base cases,like 11.15x58 Werndl M77 or 11x59Rmm French Gras. The 45-70,45-90,40-65 usually measure .500-.505 at the base.The "book" says 43 Mauser is .516, but the ones I measured are around .510 instead. I think the .516 came from chamber measurement.The cartridge has to be smaller than the chamber. Using either measurement, the 45-70etc is within the accepted .015 difference. Turning the rim to fit the rim recess makes it expand uniformaly in fireforming.

Sharps,
If you are willing to sacfifice your 43 Mauser cases,you have that problem solved.The question of how to push the shoulders back, depends on what dies you have avaliable or can borrow. If you own the dies, they can be pretty easily shortened, but you need a lathe( or a friend with one). If all else fails you can make a die to set the shoulder back. Since few cases will be needed, you don't need to harden them, and since they will be fireformed,shoulder angle doesn't matter. You only have to get it small enough to go into the chamber, fireforming takes care if the rest. Your 40-70 Sharps dies might work for one "stage", but are way too small at the base. This just proves what I always say," a lathe is a life necessity".
Mike