44-70 dies

[Hiwall55]

Does anyone know where I can get a set of 44-70 dies.I want to build a 44 but use 45-70 brass. Any help would be appreciated . Thanks Bill

[Don McDowell]

Not 44-70, but there's some 44-90 straights on Ebay.
You can probably get Redding and RCBS to build some, and CH4D carry's them. Also look and see if BACO has some in stock.

[Lead pot]

I would ask the smith building your rifle if he has a .44-70 reamer set. When I decided to build my .44-75 Ballard I designed a finishing reamer and also a sizing reamer for this rare caliber so I can make my own dies. He just might have a two reamer set.
Just using a chamber reamer for making a sizing die just don't quite work because of the brass spring back when you form the cases from the basic. I went through this with my .44-100 Rem St. I have a lathe and I ended up making a die to reduce the case a little more after using the chamber reamer.
It is worth while making your own set of reamers that match the chamber in your rifle.

[enfield]

get Lee 43 mauser dies

[skeettx]

These guys can do anything you want

http://www.ch4d.com/home

[Hiwall55]

BACO doesn't list them.I would try ch4d. Thanks guys

[Lead pot]

I have a CH-4-D 44-70 die. I don't know what you plan on using for bullets, GG or PP, but the die does not size enough to hold a PP bullet at bore diameter to be able to hold a bullet with out falling out if this what your after.

[Hiwall55]

I will probably use G-G to start with.I am going to have john King do the Barrel work,so I will talk to him first.how much do you want for your die?

[rfd]

why would you wanna deal with any issues/hassles of a .44-70 rather than just going the ubiquitous .45-70 route? just curious .....

[Don McDowell]

why would you wanna deal with any issues/hassles of a .44-70 rather than just going the ubiquitous .45-70 route? just curious .....

What issues? All one does for the 44 st cartridges is run the appropriate 45 cal case into a size die load and fire.. Not seeing any issues from actual experience with them..
Besides the 44's have historical seniority over the 45's..

[rfd]

What issues? All one does for the 44 st cartridges is run the appropriate 45 cal case into a size die load and fire.. Not seeing any issues from actual experience with them..
Besides the 44's have historical seniority over the 45's..

seems like the OP's issue is in finding the dies. and as stated, i was just curious as to the OP's reasoning, not in particular anyone else's, but thank you. i'm fairly well read up on both the chronology and historical significance of particular 19th century cartridges.

[Don McDowell]

You're the one that brought up "hassles and issues" I am curious as to what "hassles and issues" you speak of..

[rfd]

You're the one that brought up "hassles and issues" I am curious as to what "hassles and issues" you speak of..

let's not make mountains outta molehills, friend. my question to the OP had no malice aforethought.

[Lead pot]

I will probably use G-G to start with.I am going to have john King do the Barrel work,so I will talk to him first.how much do you want for your die?

The die is not for sale.
Keep your eyes in the swap sections. The .44-70 Maynard dies show up on E-Bay quite often or check with CH-4-D or check with the 310 shop down in Texas. I had him make me a die set for the .44-77 for the 310 tool for when I'm on the road and it works just as well as my bench press. The sizing die is the important die to have. The seating die is something you can get by with out it especially if you use a PP bullet. or you can use a .45-70 die till you find a .44 used if you don't want one made.

There is no hassle with a .44-70. It's no harder then loading any other caliber. And the brass is easy to come by. It's a great caliber.

[Don McDowell]

One other option on the dies ,call CSharps and see if they have a set on hand ,they used to carry dies for some of the non Walmart stuff they chambered rifles for.

[Hiwall55]

Thanks Don ,that's a good idea since they chamber it in their catalog