I FINALLY got a chance to hit the loading bench today. I got my compression die stem on wednesday and picked up some copper tubing for the drop tube the same day. This morning I built my drop tube (28 inch) and figured out the compression die- it is one that screws into the expander die from Buffalo Arms. The gentleman I bought my rifle from was nice enough to give me some Saeco 745s cast from 20:1 and already lubed with Bullshop's NASA Lube.
So here we go-Starline 45/70 brass full length sized, Federal large pistol primer and belled with a .456" expander. I figured out the max OAL and shortened it .040". The only powder I could get my hands on up here at the moment was Goex 3F, so boomer load it is. I will be getting some Cartridge as soon as it is available. I made 12 rounds of each at 59, 60 and 61 grs- compression was .125", .150" and .175" with a .030" veggie wad. Every powder charge was weighed to +/- .1gr. Once the boolit was seated I had to crimp a little bit to take the bell down enough to chaimber the last half inch. The RCBS dies I have are have a roll crimp in the seating die, but I barely had to touch the case to take the bell out. You could hardly feel it in the handle of the press. I still have to get to the range, someday and I will keep yall posted as to the results- which I hope are good. Next is trying a bunch of different primers, unless my technique sucks which I will soon find out.........