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45/70 Reloading

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:16 pm
by DBREEDEN
Hey, I’m pretty young and new to reloading I ordered a Quigley about 2.5 years ago and it’s finally on the way !!! But I’m having trouble loading 45/70. I’m using large rifle primers and starline brass as well as .45 480gr Spitzer lead cased bullets ( given to me ) and using a RCBS 3 die set. I’m having setting depth issues. 1 I don’t know how fare to set the bullet and the die want to crimp in random spots and

Some turn out deceit then others very bad and I’m using the same process. Any advise.?
Thank you

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:47 pm
by Don McDowell
Your probably going to be best off to wait until you have the rifle in hand to determine the starting seating depth

Crimping won’t be to necessary with fire formed cases, provided you’re loading black powder and the bullet is 458-459 diameter
So for the time being take a case run the ram to full height and then screw the seating die down till you fell it contact the case, that will be a good place to start
Then make a dummie round
With the seating stem backed most of the way out with a bullet in the case run the ram up to just short of full height and keep adjusting the seating stem down until the bullet is seated to the driving band
The back the seating stem out and raise the ram all the way up and set the seating stem down until you feel it contact the bullet nose

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 12:54 am
by martinibelgian
Looks like a) you have a roll crimp die, and b) case length is irregular, hence the crimping issue.
That being said, if you absolutely want to crimp (I never in a single shot rifle with BP), don't do it together with the seating, but as a separate step. Or preferably not at all.... Even when using nitro powder, neck tension will hold the bullet well enough.

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 7:20 am
by Clarence
To avoid crimping in the seating die, back out the die by 1 turn after screwing it in to touch the ram when it is fully raised. Then start the process of working to a length. And listen to what the others said about waiting until you have the rifle in hand.

Clarence

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 12:51 pm
by marlinman93
You may also need a different shape seater for that bullet than what came with the RCBS set. The spitzer point wont be well supported during seating without a proper seater rod shaped to this bullet.

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 3:47 pm
by MSalyards
Nobody has mentioned powder compression or drop tubing or wads.

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:10 pm
by DBREEDEN
Thank you for all
The responses. The issue I’m
Having is that I reloaded one perfect with compression the powder and everything but when I try to repeat it the second bullet was set to The right depth and was still lose and wouldn’t tight in the case

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:46 pm
by Don McDowell
Sounds like either the diameter of your bullets are all over the place or you need to full length resize and expand the case

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 11:24 pm
by DBREEDEN
What would you guys say is a max overall length for a 45/70 is in a Quigley?

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 11:36 pm
by Don McDowell
That’s will depend on the bullet nose shape and diameter of the nose ahead of the driving band along with are any of the bands on the base being tapered

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 7:45 am
by bpcr shooter
DBREEDEN wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:10 pm Thank you for all
The responses. The issue I’m
Having is that I reloaded one perfect with compression the powder and everything but when I try to repeat it the second bullet was set to The right depth and was still lose and wouldn’t tight in the case

Like Don stated first, you will most likely need the rifle in hand to determine seat depth. You dont need crimp, you are shooting a single shot rifle, if the bullet doesn't fall out, your good!

If you are shooting black powder what are you using for bullets? are you making them? what alloy? what lube on bullets? Please check your OAL of your brass and make sure its all the same length (within a couple thou (.002)) If not make it that way. taking a chamber cast of your rifle will help you determine the correct length.

Your best option is to just wait until the rifle shows up, then fire a round or two. Take measurements of your brass and determine bullet dia and seat depth at that point. Most likely a .458-.459dia. The Money bullets have worked very well for a lot of people. Dont forget to get some wet patches to remove fouling or a blow tube to keep it soft. hard fouling will just make a good load look real bad.

What state are you located in?? Most likely there is someone that could help you here in the states. Attending a match and asking MANY questions will be very helpful

matt

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 8:00 am
by semtav
DB
It might help if you describe your "same process" in better detail.

1. Are you starting off with new Brass.
2 . Are you just loading the new Brass without doing anything to them
3. do you own a caliper and have you checked the case length.
(If they are all new one would think they would be the same length but....)

You say the bullets are.45, but .45 what? .457? .459 ?

So start over and tell us in minute detail every step of your reloading process down to the tiniest detail or we will just be taking random guesses at the problem.

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 8:22 am
by powderburner
Check that bullet. I think it is the lyman tapered spritzer. If that’s true you can’t seat it very deep or you get past the base bands and it can easily fall into the case.

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 8:26 am
by Don McDowell
Another thing, is this brass brand new, or is it range pick up stuff, fired from a variety of rifles. Shiloh chambers are tight and brass fired in a brand x rifle stands an awful good chance of not even coming close to chambering.
Wait until you get the rifle in hand and right beside you loading bench.

Re: 45/70 Reloading

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 11:43 am
by DBREEDEN
I’m located in Virginia so not many around my area