Rifle Cartridges

**Big Shed** · 5th June 2009, 09:20 AM

There has been a lot of interest in rifle cartridge pens and I have been gathering some info on the brass cases used as well as the projectiles.

Not being a shooter myself it took a bit of digging around various sites, I have summarised the results of my data collecting in a little spreadsheet, whick I have attached.

It shows the main calibres used for pen making and the dimensions of the brass cases.

I have not not shown projectile sizes and types as there appears to be a bewildering array of these.

I will be offering some of these calibres in kit form, .308, .30-06 and .270. These will all be with copper projectiles, the .270 with a solid copper projectile.

I will be putting up some details of what I am offering in the next day or so, but in the meantime if you have some specific requirement feel free to contact me.

I will only be selling the cartridge/projectile part of the pens, you will have to provide your own slimline/streamline pen kit and/or rifle clips. All of these can be obtained from the regular suppliers on this forum, eg Timberbits, Australian Woodcraft Galleries and Carrolls Woodcraft Supplies.

**Resination** · 5th June 2009, 11:29 AM

Are you drilling the cartridges and bullets? Will the bullet be installed? Both the bullets and cartridges are easily obtained, so if nothing is prepped, what is the service you are providing?

**Big Shed** · 5th June 2009, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Resination

Are you drilling the cartridges and bullets? Will the bullet be installed? Both the bullets and cartridges are easily obtained, so if nothing is prepped, what is the service you are providing?

Yes, and yes, ready for installation of transmission and top part (blank & clip) of the pen. Case drilled, bullet installed, tube soldered in.

I will not however ship these overseas

The other service I will be providing is that I will sell any quantity, whereas if you go to a gun shop you will have to buy a bag of 50 or 100 shells and a box of 50 or 100 projectiles.

So to make a few pens, you will be up for an investment of close to $100 minimum.

As I said in my post above, I will be providing details of exactly what I will be offering shortly, patience is a virtue my friend

**Resination** · 5th June 2009, 11:47 AM

That is more clear. A prepped cartridge.

I'm not a hunter or gun person either, but I'm fortunate enough to work with several. I get all my cartridges and solid copper bullets for free. Well, for a pen here and there.
I just received a big box full of pistol carts. and still have a couple hundred .308 carts. More than I will EVER use.

**dai sensei** · 5th June 2009, 12:39 PM

Thanks Fred, a very useful spreadsheet. I look forward to seeing your pricing.

Are you going to supply the chrome plated shells as well?

**Big Shed** · 5th June 2009, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Thanks Fred, a very useful spreadsheet. I look forward to seeing your pricing.

Are you going to supply the chrome plated shells as well?

Eventually yes, but that is in "stage 2"

I've got some enquiries out on the nickel plated ones, we'll see what comes up.

Also looking at .303 British, still a fairly popular calibre with both sport and target shooters.

Also looking at doing a special project with the 45-70.

**mkypenturner** · 5th June 2009, 10:42 PM

cool cant wait to hear more
troy

**T-bar** · 6th June 2009, 11:23 AM

Cheers Jason

**Lutefisk** · 6th June 2009, 12:35 PM

When you solder in the tube at the primer end, you will need to ream the tube. Solder does not allow the tube to expand when you press in the transmission. I use a .249 chucking reamer. I have done around 500 of these and crushed a lot of transmissions when I first started. Good luck on your venture.

**Big Shed** · 6th June 2009, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Lutefisk

When you solder in the tube at the primer end, you will need to ream the tube. Solder does not allow the tube to expand when you press in the transmission. I use a .249 chucking reamer. I have done around 500 of these and crushed a lot of transmissions when I first started. Good luck on your venture.

Thanks for the tip, must say I haven't had a problem (yet) but will bear it in mind.

**Big Shed** · 7th June 2009, 05:03 PM

Details and photos of the kits have been posted here

**edblysard** · 8th June 2009, 06:42 AM

Ohhh...
I have a 1863 Springfield 45/70 Trapdoor carbine...one of the civil war rifle "cut downs" done during the 1870s and the American expansion westward...used by US Calvary Troops during the Indian wars...
If you ever shoot one of these, your in for a surprise, slow by todays standards, but when the slug gets there...it gets there!
That should make a rather "sturdy" pen.....

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Eventually yes, but that is in "stage 2"

I've got some enquiries out on the nickel plated ones, we'll see what comes up.

Also looking at .303 British, still a fairly popular calibre with both sport and target shooters.

Also looking at doing a special project with the 45-70.

**Les in Red Deer** · 8th June 2009, 02:10 PM

Hey Fred

You might find this useful.

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartspec.html

Les

**Big Shed** · 8th June 2009, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Les in Red Deer

Hey Fred

You might find this useful.

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartspec.html

Les

Thanks Les, useful indeed. I notice they don't have specs for all those on the list (45-70GOVT being one)

Thanks very much.

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