I have two rifles in 500/450 NE 3 1/4". They are both Field's patent falling block action single shots made up or sold by Scholefield, Goodman & Sons Ltd. They are both from Sealing ships of Canada's east coast around the turn of the 20th century. They are marked .450 Ex. 3 1/4" case 120 powder 365 grain bullet.
I have just cleaned one up and tightened it up to being ready to shoot. I have not yet made up any ammunition of this cartridge. How do I go about forming this ammunition from .500 NE brass? I notice there are some dimensional differences between the .500 NE and the 500/450 such as the rim and base dimensions. I can turn the rims easily enough, but the base dimension seems slightly smaller than the .500NE. Does it matter at all or does it form up well?
I look forward to loading up and shooting these interesting old rifles.
Thanks for any info,
Yukon.