Question on trimming .45-70 and .38-55 Cases

[Fred McIntire]

Does anyone have any experience trimming the case length of these cartridges back ?

I'm looking to trim them to 1.80".

The .45-70 factory case length is 2.105".

The .38-55 factory case length is 2.085".

I'd like to use one of these for deer hunting in Indiana, which specifies the maximum case length to be 1.80".

The way I see it, I can trim the case to 1.80", seat the bullet to the standard COL, and not lose any powder capacity in the case.  This will allow me to use my .38-55 Wesson & Harrington for Whitetail deer hunting. 

Am I missing anything here ?

Thanks for your input !

Fred


P.S. - Now, I just need to get my .45-70 Buffalo Classic back !   

[jedman]

  Fred,    Both the 45-70 and the 38-55 cases have quite a bit of taper from the base to the case mouth.  Being your planning on trying this in a single shot like a handi you can try it but I think the accuracy may suffer alot.  I might try wrapping the loaded 1.8" cartridge with a couple of wraps of paper about 3/8" wide right at the case mouth to make it chamber more snug ? Your fired cases might come out looking like they have a slight bottleneck to them.  I dont see this as being dangerous if you can still seat your bullets to the same COL on your 38-55.
 You would most likely need a die to reduce the neck portion of the case to provide bullet tension. 
  Between the two I would stick with the 38-55 for trying your shortened case idea with.
    Jedman