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Old April 10, 2005, 04:18 PM   #1
Ghost Dog
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Reloading the 45-70 GOVT

Having never reloaded this particular cartridge, I was wondering in reloading should I use the roll crimp bullet procedure or not ?

I will be using RCBS 3 die set and loading a 300 GN Speer Uni-Cor HP...

Any help is greatly appreciated....
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Old April 10, 2005, 05:21 PM   #2
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if you are going to reload for a lever action you should use a roll crimp. if you are going to use it in a single shot rifle like a Sharps or Ruger #1S a crimp isn't required however I think it helps with a more complete burn of the powder.
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Old April 10, 2005, 05:58 PM   #3
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Thanks Steveno, I would be reloading for a lever action. Appreciate the help, as I wasnt sure with this cartridge.....
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Old April 11, 2005, 08:42 AM   #4
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Loading the 45-70

I let my Ruger #3 45-70 go, several years ago.
My load for the 300 JHP was 20.0 grains of 2400.

Last edited by MADISON; April 11, 2005 at 08:43 AM. Reason: Correct sticking computer key[s] errors
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Old April 11, 2005, 08:43 AM   #5
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Get a Lee Factory Crimp Die. You will be surprised at the results.
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Old April 12, 2005, 11:09 AM   #6
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Madison- Thanks for the load tip... appreciate that...

Superhornet - Thank You, I have been reading a little about the Lee product line and was wondering how well their dies would work, I will definetly look into the their Factory Crimp Die... Thanks for the info....
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Old April 12, 2005, 12:13 PM   #7
Northwest Cajun
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I use the Lee factory crimp on my 45-70 also. I'm very pleased
rem 405's under 50 gr Varget = 1500 fps in a guide gun.
Bang flop

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Old April 13, 2005, 07:06 AM   #8
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Think its time I pick up a Lee Factory Crimp die...

I assume that it will work in a RCBS Rock Chucker press without any problems?

That seems like a nice load info there, I too use a Guide Gun, Thanks !!!
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Old April 14, 2005, 09:53 AM   #9
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Depends on the bullet type...

jacketed bullets dont have a crimping groove like cast bullets do.Not the ones I've seen anyway.
taper crimp on jacketed,roll crimp on cast with a groove is the norm.
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Old April 14, 2005, 10:08 AM   #10
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I would get the Lee crimp die. I load a lot of 45-70's for my #1 and seldom crimp them anyways, but there are loads that I have found actually work better with a light crimp. Your lever action will definatly need a crimp unless you single load it.
Great cartridge too.
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Old April 17, 2005, 10:19 PM   #11
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Throckmorton - Thanks for the tip, was wondering mainly due to the 45-70 Govt is a straight wall case, but then mostly I load for Bolt Action rifles, and this is my first lever action, so I wasn't really sure...

Ruger4570 - Thank You, I have order a factory crimp die...
I see you like the No# 1, Good Rifle, I have a no# 1 in .243 cal and also a M77 MK-II Frontier in .300 WSM Great Rifles !!!...
But since this is my first lever action, I wasnt sure just what would be a good way to go in regards to crimping...
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Old April 18, 2005, 08:22 AM   #12
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I have a love of the Ruger #1 and own a couple of them. Actually I had to think long and hard to choose between a Marlin and the Ruger. I still want to get a Marlin. One of my shooting buddies has the full length rifle model (forgot the model number) and it shoots REAL good. Not only is the 45-70 a fun caliber, it makes a great hunting cartridge too. In spite of the ballistics they will definatly connect at some distance too if you spend the time to practice and learn the trajectories (drop) at various ranges. Best of luck with your gun.
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Old April 18, 2005, 10:38 AM   #13
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If'fn yer gonna reload the .45-70 Gov't. there is a book titled "Forty Years With The .45-70, second edition, revised and expanded", by author Paul A. Matthews, that should be required reading for them that're reloading fer accuracy. The ISBN number on this book is: 0-935632-84-0
All y'all reloaders be shore an' check out my Ammo & Brass in the gear & accessories listed for sale.
Thanks,
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Old April 18, 2005, 10:27 PM   #14
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Ruger4570- My brother-in-law has the full size 1895 marlin in 45-70, but I was able to see a 1895G Guide rifle and knew that was the one for me...
I am going to enjoy this cartridge no doubt and enjoying hunting with it.
Thanks again for all the tips and "Happy Shooting"....

Redstick- Hey thanks for the tip on the book, I will check it out...
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Old April 19, 2005, 06:25 AM   #15
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I thought the same thing when I seen the 1895GS (stainless), and the perfect companion for this rifle is the Maxine BFR in .45-70 which also comes as a convertible model with an extra .44-40 cylinder. The 1895GS was without a doubt, the nicest rifle in the whole store!!! It also won all the "Top Gun Of The Year Awards".
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Old April 19, 2005, 07:14 AM   #16
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Ghost Dog: Have a ball with your gun,, one word of warning, sort of...be careful with the top end loads in your Marlin unless you have a Dental insurance plan. Some of those loads will leave no doubt in your mind or shoulder that you just touched off a round and you will need regular visits to you dentist to replace fillings.
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Old April 19, 2005, 09:22 AM   #17
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roflmao, Oh belive me Ruger4570 I have found that out... Duh !...dummy me first 10 rounds I ran through it when I was sighting in my scope were PMC 45-70 GOVT 350 GN +P+...yeah really, I didnt notice it till I finished sighting in and wonder why I had busted my eye (my fault creeping up on the scope when in the shooting rest) and my shoulder acked like heck.....

LOL, oh yes I found out the hard way....
I am loading reduced loads and will not load the max, want to enjoy it when just shooting, then use a nice hunting load for business....

Thanks again.....
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Old April 19, 2005, 09:29 AM   #18
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Reloading the 45-70 GOVT

Reloading the 45-70 GOVT
If the crimp as all you are worried about, have you tried a "Taper Crimp"?
You can either spend 'high dollar" for a crimp die or find an old 45-70 sizer die and remove the decapping stim. You then re-adjust it to bring the flare in around the bullet.
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Old April 19, 2005, 10:32 PM   #19
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Hey Madison I had thought about taper crimp, since I use that a lot for my bolt action rifle loads, but since this is my first lever rifle, and the 45-70 a straight wall case, I was hesitant in trying it, not sure how it would feed and chamber in the rifle. That is something I may experiment down the road, I have a lee factory crimp die coming and will try that and see how it goes,
Thanks for the advice though, and more and more I think about, I bet it might work just fine....

Redstick,
I almost bought a 1895GS (stainless) but opted for the blue version, but I agree, its one heck of a fine lever action, I am happy with it.
Havnt heard of the Maxine BFR but looks interesting enought to check into it... Thanks !!!
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Old April 20, 2005, 05:14 AM   #20
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You need a firm crimp on 45-70, or ANY round chambered in a tubular magazine. Recoil separates and slams the shells back together in the magazine, which will push the bullet back in the case if not crimped (also the reason of using flat point or round nose bullets, and not pointed bullets in a tubular magazine).
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Old April 21, 2005, 09:07 PM   #21
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Crimp

I have not used the Lee factory crimp on my .45-70 loads, but I use them on several other calibers and find they are very good.
Thr only thing I shoot .45-70 in is a Handi rifle and a roll crimp is fine, as there is no recoil problem.
I use several bullets, 220, 320, 405 and 515gr, either with liquid alox or LBT soft blue lube ,I am getting up to 1600fps with the 515gr and a friend is getting 1800fps with it in a Buffalo Classic with 32" barrel, those will really let you know when they go off, the 220 at 1600fps is great for attacking beer cans and sabre toothed rabbits that may threaten.
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Old April 22, 2005, 09:55 AM   #22
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Hey Drinks thanks for the load tips, I received my Lee Factory Crimp die the other day but havnt used it yet.
I use Speer bullets and now I see where Speer dosn't recommend using the Lee Factory Crimp die with their 45-70 bullets, due to a heavy crimp can damage the bullet?

So, now I wonder, if one was careful enought to not get a crimp to heavy, it would be still be Ok to use the die with Speer Bullets ?
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