Hornady 45-70 Brass

TheLastGoodFight · August 7, 2017, 05:41 PM

I was experimenting with cast bullet loads for my Marlin CB 45-70 when I ran out of brass. In desperation I turned to some once fired Hornady brass to temporarily fill the void until I could resupply. Alas, my RCBS dies will not accommodate these casings, leaving no flare and no crimp. It appears this particular casing is a tad shorter than Winchester and Remington brass, and no amount of die adjustment seems to offer a solution.
The casings originally held a 325gr Jacketed "Red Tip" as they call it, which I assume are .458, there being no indication on the box. I am using cast 300gr RNFP .459 from Missouri Bullet company and am experiencing a slight stretch in the neck, I assume due to the larger bullet.
I'd like to know if any of you handloaders have attempted to reload Hornady's casings, and if so, what trouble/solutions have you experienced? Given my limited experience level, the solution could be completely simple and obvious. Unfortunately, for guys like me, a good slap in the face is periodically necessary before I get the point. Thanks it advance.

mehavey · August 7, 2017, 07:30 PM

Hornady cases are (in fact) considerably shorter than SAAMI specs -- deliberately so -- to accommodate the long-nose "leverevolution" bullets.
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=380760

Are you really not able to adjust the expander and seater dies to meet that 0.060" shorter case?

Stats Shooter · August 7, 2017, 07:40 PM

Here is a whole thread on this topic.

NoSecondBest · August 7, 2017, 07:42 PM

There are dies available to load these shorter cases. However, it's simply not worth it to buy a set of dies to use these odd ball cases unless they are all you intend on using in the future.

condor bravo · August 7, 2017, 10:15 PM

When it became time to acquire .45-70 dies, the only ones I could find were Redding. Lucky I guess since they are perfect with the Hornady brass and used on a Dillon 550. What RCBS die or dies cannot adjust to the shorter case? RCBS would have been my first choice if it had been available.

Stats Shooter · August 7, 2017, 10:27 PM

I am just getting into 45-70 guns. Have a H&R Handi and a brand new 1895 GBL.

I specifically bought Federal Ammo to plink around and familiarize myself with the gun because I didn't want to screw around with non-standard brass when I reload it. And I use RCBS dies and intend to use Speer or cast bullets so standard brass is the ticket

August 7, 2017, 05:41 PM	#1
TheLastGoodFight Member Join Date: August 2, 2016 Location: Eastern OK Posts: 59	Hornady 45-70 Brass I was experimenting with cast bullet loads for my Marlin CB 45-70 when I ran out of brass. In desperation I turned to some once fired Hornady brass to temporarily fill the void until I could resupply. Alas, my RCBS dies will not accommodate these casings, leaving no flare and no crimp. It appears this particular casing is a tad shorter than Winchester and Remington brass, and no amount of die adjustment seems to offer a solution. The casings originally held a 325gr Jacketed "Red Tip" as they call it, which I assume are .458, there being no indication on the box. I am using cast 300gr RNFP .459 from Missouri Bullet company and am experiencing a slight stretch in the neck, I assume due to the larger bullet. I'd like to know if any of you handloaders have attempted to reload Hornady's casings, and if so, what trouble/solutions have you experienced? Given my limited experience level, the solution could be completely simple and obvious. Unfortunately, for guys like me, a good slap in the face is periodically necessary before I get the point. Thanks it advance.

August 7, 2017, 10:15 PM	#5
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	When it became time to acquire .45-70 dies, the only ones I could find were Redding. Lucky I guess since they are perfect with the Hornady brass and used on a Dillon 550. What RCBS die or dies cannot adjust to the shorter case? RCBS would have been my first choice if it had been available. __________________ Ouch, the dreaded "M-1 thumb", you just know it will happen eventually, so why not do it now and get it over with??

August 7, 2017, 07:30 PM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,886	Hornady cases are (in fact) considerably shorter than SAAMI specs -- deliberately so -- to accommodate the long-nose "leverevolution" bullets. https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=380760 Are you really not able to adjust the expander and seater dies to meet that 0.060" shorter case?

August 7, 2017, 07:40 PM	#3
Stats Shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2016 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,636	Here is a whole thread on this topic.

August 7, 2017, 07:42 PM	#4
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	There are dies available to load these shorter cases. However, it's simply not worth it to buy a set of dies to use these odd ball cases unless they are all you intend on using in the future.

August 7, 2017, 10:27 PM	#6
Stats Shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2016 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,636	I am just getting into 45-70 guns. Have a H&R Handi and a brand new 1895 GBL. I specifically bought Federal Ammo to plink around and familiarize myself with the gun because I didn't want to screw around with non-standard brass when I reload it. And I use RCBS dies and intend to use Speer or cast bullets so standard brass is the ticket