Reloading for a Buffalo Classic

[Rayc384]

I am reloading some .45/70 bullets and have a question. The round chambers fine, but I see some faint engraving on the lead bullet. Is this safe, or should I trim the brass back a little?

[rockrat]

I have heard that it all depends on the gun. Some like a bit of a "jump" (0.020" maybe) before engraving and some prefer slight engraving.

Also, that pressures might be a bit higher if engraved when chambering, but smarter people than I will chime in about that.

Many of my Ruger #1's have a short throat and I get a bit of engraving also, but there hasn't been any discernable accuracy with them, if I seat the boolit deeper to get rid of the engraving. However, I am not shooting maximum loads with most of them, there are exceptions!!!

[Springfield]

More info would be nice, like lead or jacketed, and how close to published maximum loads are you running? I Shoot BP in mine and some bullets engrave a bit and they work fine, no excess pressure. But that is BP and soft bullets.

[Rayc384]

It is a 425 grain lead bullet over 15 grains of Unique.

[Dan Cash]

Unless the cartridge case is hitting the end of the chamber, I surely would not shorten it if you are shooting cast. If bullet engraving is a problem, seat it deeper or get a different bullet. A short cartridge case will allow a bullet to bump up at the end of the case then swage back down as it hits the lead. This often shaves and deposits lead at the lead and origin of rifling which is very detrimental to accuracy.

[rr2241tx]

Most of us go to special effort to get our lead boolits to engrave when chambered. As long as the action will close, engraving is good.

[Rayc384]

It turns out that when I tested the 350 gr. bullet it was also engraving. It was cast harder, so it did not show as much.They did fine. I checked my cases and they are the right length. Thanks for the advice.

[mroliver77]

Most of us go to special effort to get our lead boolits to engrave when chambered. As long as the action will close, engraving is good.
+1
Jay

[tacklebury]

You can rent a throater from 4D or if you go to GBO they have one that you can donate to use. Many there have added a 1/4" or so to their throat to use longer bullets. Lotta information on it there. My BC is slight short throated, but I shoot mainly 350's and it's really accurate, so I just do it short. ;) I do recommend Reloader7 in the .45-70 and I use unique only for lighter RB loads. ;) With RL7 I go from 34.1gr. bottom for trap door level to 52gr. at top to take down anything in N.A with 350 gr. FP. Good all round powder in the .45-70. My regular go-to load is 47-48 gr. with the 350.