Advice for 45-70 Reloading

[Supaduke]

With the imminent arrival of my new 45-70 in the next week or so, I bought myself a few goodies in preparation of some reloading.

45-70 goodies

image.jpeg (1.24 MiB) Viewed 2803 times

Some new starline brass
200 copperhawkes from Hawkesbury -300gr
3 piece RCBS die set
Bottle of Trail Boss
Quick change bushings
Shell holder

I have done plenty of reloading in all sorts of calibres but only jacketed projectiles in bottle neck cases with full power powders.

I have no experience with cast projectiles or straight walled cases or trail boss reduced loads.

So before I delve into various manuals and research I would like to ask you guys for hints, tips and tricks for reloading 45-70.

Firstly the 3 set
A full length sizer
A mouth expander (new to me)
Bullet seater with crimp
From what I'm told that's the order I use them in.
Any advice on crimping pressure?
Being a rimmed case do you still seat them just off the lands?

Trail Boss, heard good things, anything I need to know?

Any other advice, things you have learnt the hard way, anything you think I should know?

Any and all advice and musings greatly appreciated

P.S. These particular rounds won't be gas checked and will be just for plinking

Thanks in advance

[brett1868]

Looks like fun and you got the makings of more fun. The 45-70 can be treated like a big ass pistol case, Resize as per any other case, set the expander so the "Flare" is around 2-3 thou larger or just enough that the projectile sticks in the top. Actual load data for that projectile / powder combination will have to come from someone else as I've only ever loaded with AR2219. I prefer a light crimp, just enough to close the flare and then a fraction more.

[Supaduke]

Cheers Brett, went to have a go this evening and turns out the Hornady shell holder I bought is not compatible with my Lee press, bit of a bummer. Guess I'm back off to the LGS tomorrow.

[sandgroperbill]

Is the rifle a tube mag? Box mag? Blind mag? This may influence the ceimp you choose. If th rounds may habe weight against them or move around at all, you may want a little more crimp to prevent the pills being pushed deeper.

In my .30-06 i use a light-medium crimp, but when the 458 arrives i'll use a bit more crimp as the recoil may push the pills deeper without the extra crimp

[MR. WINCHESTER]

Sold my 45/70 before use ...
Have 100x Starline brass and 200x Hawksbury projectiles for sale - less than 1/2 price !

Send P.M.

[Supaduke]

What state are you in mr win?

[sandgroperbill]

What weight are the projies?

[MR. WINCHESTER]

.... The Premier State ! ( N.S.W. )

350 gn x 250pcs

[Supaduke]

Ah that only shows up when I turn my phone sideways

[Supaduke]

Is the rifle a tube mag? Box mag? Blind mag? This may influence the ceimp you choose. If th rounds may habe weight against them or move around at all, you may want a little more crimp to prevent the pills being pushed deeper.

In my .30-06 i use a light-medium crimp, but when the 458 arrives i'll use a bit more crimp as the recoil may push the pills deeper without the extra crimp

It's a tube mag lever action. Hopefully my research will leave me with a fairly soft shooting plinking round. I guess I will just have to shoot a few and observe what happens. I want to try some hot and heavy jacketed rounds too just to feel the full force of a 45-70. Exciting times ahead

[sandgroperbill]

I would be interested in the projies if they're still around once the 458 gets through licensing (don't want to spend any more until WAPOL says OK...)

As for the crimp, I would try a medium crimp and be careful to make sure the bullets aren't being pushed deeper in the tube as this may increase pressure