Necked down 45 colt case

[stimpylu32]

Just another one of my hair-brained ideas , has anyone ever considered necking down the 45 colt case , to say a 40 cal , I know its been done with the 45 ACP to make the 400 Corbon , a round that falls between the 40 S&W and the 10 mm , yet making a round stays in a safe pressure range to convert most 45 ACP handguns .

I'm thinking that by necking down , it would allow for a lighter bullet to be used and maybe add a couple hundred fps to the old 45 colt .

What you think ? 

stimpy 

[mcwoodduck]

40-454 JDJ Special is what you are thinking of making.
On page 264 COTW 11th edition.
Loading Data is 165 grain Speer wiht 36.6 grains of AA No 9 for 2825 FPS and 2925 Foot pounds (SSK MAX Load)
Or about 30-06 at the pointy end of the gun with a 12" barrel.
I think you have a great Idea in making a special version of this.
Or are you just reinventing the 38-40 that could be souped up and used in the Handy or a Puma 92?
There is a 44 Mag version of this as well that could be a start for loading data.
Same page on COTW 11th edition. 
Vit N110 25.2 grains for 2122 FPS and energy of 1650.

[jedman]

    I have thought of something like that, using a 44/40 sizing die and grinding the base diameter of the die about .010 and size a 45 Colt with it .  Due to the thicker brass of the 45 case  compared to the 44/40 you would end up with a bullet diameter around .416.  You might be able to go down to 41 cal.  You could do the same idea with a modified 38/40 die and end up with something around .382 bullet dia.  That is sizing the case without a neck sizing stem in the die .      Jed

[Mikey]

Stimpy:  I believe the 45 Colt necked to 44 or .427 is the 44-40 and the 45 Colt necked to .400 is the 38-40, referring to caliber and powder charge (40 gn bp).  I believe the 45 Colt started life as a bp cartridge also loaded with 40 gns, but I could be wrong about that.

The 400 corbon isn't worth the space to discuss it.  jmtcw.

[dpe.ahoy]

Stimpy, just get ya a stronger gun and load the 45 colt a couple three four hundred feet faster.   I know, I know. where's the fun in that?  Still easy to do in the right gun.   DP

[45LCshoooter]

I've not seen the JDJ, but i would expect straight sides and a sharp shoulder, what i would expect is that the .400 CorBon dies would be cheaper to use as neck dies (and full length with 45 Colt dies when needed) than to have dies made. Reamer may be a different issue. I think i ran the numbers once and you sould get an appreciable increase in case capacity over the 38-40. I think i would double up on those lock rings once you got your dies adjusted, tho.