Brass fire forming...thingy

[Bravo 4]

Maybe a silly question, but here goes.
I have a heavy barrel single shot H&R .223 that hasn't been fired in I can't remember when, maybe 10+ years (so I obviously haven't much use for it).
So here's the question:
Do you think it can be turned into a case forming (only) thingy for my .375 Snipetac? I have the reamer, maybe just run it down the chamber. Not worried about the mechanical extractor, I could poke them out with a rod. I'm obviously talking about using the COW method with a fast burning pistol powder and toilet paper patch instead of a bullet. If you think there would be a problem with the TP and the .223 bore, maybe cut the barrel off in front of the chamber.
I know nothing of metallurgy/ gunsmithing/ machining/ etc, but seen the Hubble Express on an H&R and thought it possible:
http://www.us-shooter.com/585-hubel-express-cases-from-bertram-brass/
Mount this thingy to a stand and make it fire into a 55 gallon barrel with baffles of sort and sand at the bottom (like a giant suppression system/clearing barrel) and put it in my shop.

Whatcha think...dumb idea?

Some may ask why, the reason is I have about $1,000 in the barrel currently mounted and probably $700 in another sitting in the safe...they aren't cheap to waist but that little rifle is.
May be able to help others out as well.

 

[Rich Coyle]

One of my strong suites is ignorance, but I like the idea.

 

[Predator 22]

Whidden dies should be able to make you a hydraulic form die. I believe all they need is a reamer print.

 

[dmoon]

Interesting idea, but 375-.223=.152.....what's holding the toilet paper in line???? I think I'd have somebody you don't like fire it first at their house without anyone else there and no phone records....just saying. Good luck!

 

[Bravo 4]

Whidden dies should be able to make you a hydraulic form die. I believe all they need is a reamer print.

I have one, don't care for it. You have to beat it with a hammer while the ram on your press is all the way up, gotta be hard on the press. Plus it only gets the brass 80-90% formed, still takes one firing to form. What I've been doing is loading a somewhat light load of slow burning surplus powder (by light I mean 120 grains) and 350 grain Matchkings. People like the idea of shooting a cannon like this so I let them shoot my fire forming loads, but that's our little secret.

 

[Bravo 4]

Interesting idea, but 375-.223=.152.....what's holding the toilet paper in line???? I think I'd have somebody you don't like fire it first at their house without anyone else there and no phone records....just saying. Good luck!

If you mean the fit of so much TP down that small a bore, I already thought of that.
That's why I said maybe cut it off past the chamber. Or leave a bit of barrel and bore it out larger caliber, rifling is useless in this.
All I really need is a chamber to match mine (and I have the reamer) and something to set it off. This fits those needs, at least in my feeble mind.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Years ago an old man that taught me how to reload showed me how to fire form Ackley improved brass. He used cheese to plug the case neck. Might be a good idea here.

Steve

 

[Axl]

how would doing this in your existing barrel harm it?

 

[Bravo 4]

Years ago an old man that taught me how to reload showed me how to fire form Ackley improved brass. He used cheese to plug the case neck. Might be a good idea here.

Steve

Yeah Steve, it may be. I know a fella that does it with wax. Anything to keep it in I guess.

 

[Bravo 4]

how would doing this in your existing barrel harm it?

These things don't have the greatest barrel life. By the time I fire form 100 pieces of brass I could have potentially killed 1/10th barrel life.
As stated, I may also be able to help others with this chambering.

Edited: Or did you mean the COW in my barrel. If so, I've done it with a smaller chambering and don't really want to do this in a $5,000 rifle. Not when I go through the trouble of HBN coating and caring for this barrel and not when I can use a "donor" rifle.

Like I said, may be a dumb idea.

 

[tbrice23]

If you cut the barrel off short and then bore the bore larger I think it would be a good idea.

I keep old barrels for fire forming Ackleys and 7wsm cases. I can't stand using precious barrel life just fireforming.

 

[PBramble]

Am I the only one who though SBR and a suppressor? Sounds like a great idea, with appropriate paperwork. I understand it's not your intention, but intention is a felony according to the BATF. Bore the whole barrel out.

 

[Bravo 4]

Am I the only one who though SBR and a suppressor? Sounds like a great idea, with appropriate paperwork. I understand it's not your intention, but intention is a felony according to the BATF. Bore the whole barrel out.

Yes you are, but glad you brought that up. I'll have to look into the barrel aspect. However, if the 55 gallon barrel isn't attached is it considered a suppressor? If so then I just wouldn't put "baffles" in it.
Besides, if it doesn't have an exit hole for a projectile to escape then...?

 

[Snyper708]

That's why I said maybe cut it off past the chamber.

Then you'd have a short barreled rifle, and the ATF frowns on those.