Author Topic: 45 70 - Reload supplies (Read 960 times)

bikerbeans · « **on:** February 23, 2010, 01:36:19 AM »

Hi All,

Two 45 70s on the way so time to start thinking about ammo. Any suggestions for an online vendor for new 45 70 brass or should I just get a few boxes of "store bought" ammo and generate my own? Starline is backordered. Also, any suggestions for the dies?

BB

wreckhog · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2010, 02:06:35 AM »

Hornady ammo has short cases, so don't buy that.

Mad Dog · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2010, 02:49:22 AM »

bikerbeans, you will probably get a lot of replies, but I've been reloading for my .45-70 for quite a while now. Get the following.

RCBS or Lee dies
Lee factory crimp die
Lee case trimmer
I like Winchester Brass, ymmv
CCI or Fed. primers
lotsa good powders. I use H4198 for my 300 gr. bullets.

The following are good online suppliers. Go with the ones that have what you are looking for in stock.
Midway USA
Natchez Shooters Supply
Mid South
Buffalo Arms, in Idaho
Cabelas.

Mad Dog

Macphoto · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:23:49 AM »

Lots of good info from Mad Dog. I would also suggest the Lyman dies. Their quality has really improved and they include an M die with the 45-70 dies, but it can also be had separately in lots of calibers. Which guns are on the way?

bikerbeans · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:29:14 AM »

New 2007 vintage Handi, 22 inch barrel, wood stock

Used 1988 handi, with the same barrel, factory fitted accessory.

One will get scope, other iron sights. At a future time one of these will morph into a 45 120

I know everyone likes the long barrel 45 70 BC but I really like the standard contour 22" barrel, so all my handis have this length/style.

wreckhog · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:31:41 AM »

RCBS has Cowboy dies set up for cast bullets as well as their regular dies for jacketed. Don't forget to consider getting a tumbler, shellholder, neck reamer, and hand primer tool. If you want light loads, Unique and Trail Boss are popular powders. The crimp die is more for lever actions IMHO.

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:27:37 AM »

I pick them up at gun shows all the time. Ive got over 300 now. Better stop some time.

The cool thing about the 45-70 is you can cast your own, or buy them cheap.

Use a lee classic hand loader ($25). I have one of these for 30-06, 30-30, and 45-70.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0003091210526a.shtml

coues2506 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:34:45 AM »

I use a Lee hand press, lee dippers, lee scale, lee dies, Oregon trail 405 lead or bulk Rem jacketed bullets, Remington brass all from MidwayUsa. I use 30gr of H4198 and a CCI primer from my local store. Makes great ammo. Jacketed Bulk Remington 405's shoot into an inch at 100 and lead into 1.5". The hand press has plenty of power for my bottleneck cartridges too. No need to find space for a formal bench setup.

wreckhog · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:39:09 AM »

Hornady cases are 1/16" shorter. Just enough to screw up crimps while gaining little.

cult .44 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2010, 07:05:42 AM »

Quote

Use a lee classic hand loader ($25).

I use one of these as well. Works great. But one thing mine didn't come with is a flaring tool (it will crimp). I've read where you need to flare the cases to use cast bullets. But I was looking at some hard cast bullets at the shop the other day (admiring the price) and saw they had a pretty well tapered base. I'm wondering if I can get by without a flaring tool and just champfer the cases. Or will the lead get chewed up when seating the bullet?

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2010, 07:33:39 AM »

Those kits were made for a Trapdoor, which you use the hammer as your flairing tool.

When I take mine to the field, I use the center of my belling die

OSOK · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2010, 08:40:12 AM »

Cult, I use the same dies for my .45-70. I shoot the 450 gr. Black Dawg bullets. They have a tapered base and don't shave when I load them. Lee has the flaring tool for about $5, looks like a steel bullet. You'll have to call them to order it, special order item. I flared my brass when I first got it and have reloaded them several times without ever flaring again...the tapered bases just slide right in.

Chas. · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:08:38 AM »

I won't repost what's already been posted, but I will say that I shoot both Missouri 405gr cast ($70.56/400) and Laser Cast Oregon trail 300gr ($79.00/500). Both shoot good in all my 45-70's.

MS Mule · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:41:14 AM »

www.grafs.com has nickel plated Remington 45/70 brass in stock. It's too expensive for me tho'.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:51:28 AM »

I already have him covered with new Starline brass.... I think.

Tim

cult .44 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:09:42 PM »

Quote

without ever flaring again...the tapered bases just slide right in.

I suppose what I should do is buy the cast bullets, see how well the seat, and if necessary order the flaring tool from Lee.

sabbatus · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:25:22 PM »

a flaring tool is almost a necessary item with cast, as unflared there is always the risk of damaging the bullet during seating by scraping the drive bands. as far as dies go standard rcbs, lee or any other make is fine if you are loading the shorter bullets. if the 450 gr and above are to be seated you gain alot of benefit using the longer style cowboy dies. the added length of the die reduces the risk that long bullets are seated to deep because there isnt enough room. if looking to a semi pointed bullet like a schmitzer or lymans tapered 490gr bullet rcbs will make a custom seater for about 17 dollars for their dies

Duckdog · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:13:44 AM »

The Lee Pacesetter dies have an expanding die that will also allows you to charge the case without removing it from the press. I have been loading for one of these for many moons and I would recommend the Lee equipment.

lrrice · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:10:28 AM »

I second the pacesetter dies. I have all kinds of dies and Lee's are just as good (and sometimes better) for half the price. I shoot 405 and 500 grain lee handcasts (mostly 500) and like both very well. If both of your 45/70's are single shots, then I wouldn't bother crimping them, it just wears the brass out faster.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2010, 06:10:15 AM »

I agree on not shaving lead while seating the cast bullets. I load for a friend who competes in Bullseye shoots so flaring the case to prevent bullet damage is a must. I use a Dillon 550 progressive press and they have a 45 rifle funnel that I believe will allow you to set the amount of case flare. I will go the local Dillon Rep. and have a look at one to make sure.

I appreciate all the information. Thankx to QUICK for the help with the brass. I am going to start out with the Lee dies and go from there. Can't wait for the guns to get here.

BB

gcrank1 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2010, 10:32:13 AM »

Use a needle-nose pliers with the rounded back side of the jaws. Insert, apply a little pressure and rotate. It will put a gentle flare on a case mouth and the tapered jaws fit a number of case sizes. The real deal, multi purpose tool.