45-70 supplies

[Harleysboss]

I'm patiently awaiting my Shilo Sharps Business Rifle. Going to start collecting loading supplies. What brass does the crowd prefer, Starline, Winchester, Remington? How about favorite loading dies? I load for other calibers so I have a handle on primers, wads and such. Also have a collection of Swiss FFG and Goex in FFG and FFFG. Thanks for your input.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

You will need powder compression tools, custom neck expander 0.458" (factory are too small), boolit molds, wad punches etc. etc.

https://i.imgur.com/UXADtDQl.jpg

[Don McDowell]

My Shiloh 45-70 works very well with Hornady brass.

[Castaway]

Only die I use when loading is a compression die. Suggest also a drop tube, wad punch, and sizing die. If pan lubing, it’s hard to beat a Lee’s sizing die

[smithnframe]

If you get into long range shooting you've only just begun! It will be like an arms race trying to keep up with the "experts"!

[GregLaROCHE]

I use NOE neck expanders so a paper patched boolit slides in smoothly and then just a little bit of a taper crimp. I like magnum primers too.

[Harleysboss]

Thanks for the gear suggestions. I've got a drop tube and a good selection of mag and Lg rifle primers, assortment of wads of various material. I will be ordering both a compression die and neck expander as well. I'm a fan of Accurate molds so I will most likely order a custom mold from him. This will mostly be used for informal target shooting, out to say 300yds and possibly hunting down the road.

[hondo1892]

I think Winchester brass has the largest capacity in the brass that I've tried. Winchester seems to be a bit thinner in most calibers over Starline and Hornady.

[Don McDowell]

The Hornady component brass will easily hold 75 or more grains of OE 2f, the winchester brass I have been using for several years 72 gr is about it and it takes a slow pour to get that much in.

[KCSO]

Gee and to think I got good groups and years of fun shooting with only a nutcracker and a surplus Bridgeport mould.

[Ozark mike]

Yeah i dont have anything fancy either just lee dies lead powder primers and any brass i find besides the ftx stuff. Granted i dont shoot a mile but still pretty good groups at 100yds

[jednorris]

I would definitely stick with Black powder, that is what those guns are designed for and usually shoots the best. I use 68 Gr. of swiss 1-1/2 and a .60 wad and found my Rifles shoot better with a little lighter bullet like 480 Gr. Starline brass will last you the longest time, mine is on the 50th to 60th loading.

[toot]

what is the 577/450 round have to do with it?

[Chill Wills]

what is the 577/450 round have to do with it?

Is there a post missing? I don't see what you are referencing.

[ascast]

yeah, I noticed that as well ??

[John Boy]

Harley - take the time to read this BPCR reference information ... http://www.bpcr.net/site_docs-results_schedules/documents/bp_cartridge_reloading_dick_trenk.htm

[tmanbuckhunter]

If you have a Lee die set, track of the wolf sells compression plug inserts for your flaring die that works well. As far as Brass, I came into a bunch of Remington for free years ago and I'm burning thru it, but Starline always gets the nod for everything else, and when I get tired of looking at this Remington brass, Starline is what I will order. Sky is the limit when it comes to molds and designs. 45/70 is the big bore 30 caliber when it comes to cast bullet mold selection. I prefer Accurate in these cases, although some of the designs Steve Brooks has look very appealing.

[StrawHat]

I guess it depends on what you plan to do with the rifle. Hunting and plinking loads do not need the same meticulous assembly as do 1000 yard target ammunition. Many on this forum tend to think everyone wants to shoot long range. When I used the 45-70, it was strictly hunting and fun shooting. I did not need ammunition that would group into a one hole group out as far as I could see. I did not want 6” groups at 50 yards either.

So, define you goal and load accordingly!

Kevin

[Harleysboss]

StrawHat, Well that's a good question. My goals are pretty simple. Build quality ammo that I can shoot reasonable groups at my range. We have steel plates from 300 out to 500 yards that I will be harassing with big lead from time to time. Not sure if this will be a hunting rifle exclusively but most definitely it will be a rifle to have fun shooting with. I'm not planning on long range competition but one never knows. I load and shoot blackpowder in my 50-70 and 40-65, both Remington rollers and I've enjoyed repeatable success with both of those. Where in NE Ohio are you from? I grew up in Ashtabula but have been gone for 30 years.

[Don McDowell]

With out a whole lot of fiddling around you can make ammunition that will harass steel, could be very competitive in completion and drop a bull elk 200 yards across a clearing.. and it's all the same case, charge, wad and bullet.

[greenjoytj]

This is the first thread I’ve read that mentioned a 45-70 actually holding 70 grains of BP.
Everything I’ve read previously said less than 68 grains is the max in modern cases and thats with considerable compression.
Bullet weight is not mentioned, maybe there using a lighter weight bullet less than 500 grs and seated out long, leaving room for more powder.

[tmanbuckhunter]

This is the first thread I’ve read that mentioned a 45-70 actually holding 70 grains of BP.
Everything I’ve read previously said less than 68 grains is the max in modern cases and thats with considerable compression.
Bullet weight is not mentioned, maybe there using a lighter weight bullet less than 500 grs and seated out long, leaving room for more powder.
70grs will fit in a modern case, but you are right, it does require significant compression. I have loaded 70grs but accuracy was dismal. I find optimal performance with remington brass in the 63-65gr neighborhood, with the cases vibrated, or the powder run thru a drop tube.

[Gunlaker]

This is the first thread I’ve read that mentioned a 45-70 actually holding 70 grains of BP.
Everything I’ve read previously said less than 68 grains is the max in modern cases and thats with considerable compression.
Bullet weight is not mentioned, maybe there using a lighter weight bullet less than 500 grs and seated out long, leaving room for more powder.

It also depends on the bullet design. In my Shiloh I use 74 gr with a 530 grain bullet. The first three bands on the bullet are bore diameter so this gives a lot more room for powder.

Chris.

[ELFEGO BACA]

264928
Don’t forget spare rifle parts such as: 3 legged transfer bar, firing pin, lever spring,...
My last match required 35 shots.
I chambered 43 cartridges and got 8 misfires.
At home I found that my transfer bar was damaged from too much shooting?
I had a spare.

[varsity07840]

The first .45-70 I acquired is a trapdoor. I bought Spence Wolf's book and his five piece die set made with lee components. Decapper/full length sizer, expander, compression, seating, crimp. They have worked fine for my other two .45-70s. I must say I've deviated somewhat from Spence's recipes.

[John Boy]

Read this article ... http://bpcr.net/site_docs-results_schedules/documents/bp_cartridge_reloading_dick_trenk.htm

[Claypipe]

Doesn't anybody use a drop tube anymore?