45/70 Govt Crimp Die - Lee FCD or Redding

[sierra1911]

I'm just starting to load for a modern Marlin 1895 45/70 Govt stainless big loop that I recently inherited. I'll initially be loading 300gr jacketed hollow points (with cannelure) as I also inherited a box of 1,000 with the rifle.

I have both Redding and Lee die sets plus the Lee Factory (collet) Crimp Die. Planning on using the Redding sizer, the Lee seater (because the seating stem better fits the bullet profile), and was hoping I could tap the infinite wisdom and experience of the members here as to which crimp die to use.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts,
sierra1911

[mehavey]

In my preferred order for CAST:

Standard Roll Crimp/no taper sizing
Redding Profile: Some uniforming taper, but quickly rolls in
Lee FCD: Too much taper/"squish" for me before rolling

[Barman54]

I have a Lee Crimp Die
Use it on my 550, as I single Stage it when loading Rifle Shells
Happy With it.
Adjust it to fit the Shell, as I trim my Brass after sizing every Time, so they are all the same height.

Barman54
Out

[Winger Ed.]

I'm working without a net here, I risk giving away my position, and am exposing myself to the LEE mafia:

I'd learn towards the Redding.
But if they are adjusted right, and your brass is all the same length,
I can't see how it would matter which one you used.

[USSR]

First, I am not a fan of Lee, but every seater die that I know will crimp as well. Since I cast bullets for my 45-70, I use the RCBS Cowboy Die Set which include a Type M Expander Die. Unless you are using boattail bullets (highly unlikely) an expander die is a Godsend for loading flatbase bullets.

Don

[WHITETAIL]

Hi there sierra 1911,
I have been making my own heads for the 45-70
since 2016.
And have a few molds to play with.
What do you want to do with it.
Kill soda cans, blow holes in paper, or put big windows in deer?
If you let me know where you are headed I could send you a few boolets
to try.
And to ans. your question on LEE FCD I use it for all of my 45-70 loads.:Fire:

[robg]

i just seat and crimp with the std lee die .works fine but i do trim my cases.

[c0wb0y84]

Well, since you have 1,000 bullets to work with load 500 with each crimping die shoot’em all and come back and let us know which shot better.

I’d be honestly surprised if there was a noticeable difference.

[Intel6]

I use the Redding profile crimp for most of my revolver rounds and got one for 45-70 when I started loading for it. I have had great luck with the Redding PC and it works great for the 45-70.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I have an old Herter's die that gives a 'conventional' roll crimp and I have the Lee FCD, not much difference in functioning or on target results when properly adjusted.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I would gravitate towards a Standard Roll Crimp delivered by your Redding Die for a Cast Boolit. However,,, depending on how hot you load these, the Lee Die will give a more solid grip on a jacketed bullet with a cannelure.

In any event, a good solid crimp is necessary for this cartridge to keep bullets in place in the magazine during heavy recoil. Your gun is a 7 lb. gun and recoil with just about any load above 1600 fps is going to deliver "Heavy Recoil!"

Randy

[bob15]

For a jacketed bullet, I like the Lee Crimp dies

[MostlyLeverGuns]

In many cases, the 45-70 can be loaded so that 'full charges' are compressed just enough to prevent bullets moving under recoil. Accurate 2015, H322, and 3031 will normally be compressed when used with ' Marlin 1895' pressure levels, even with 300 grain bullets. I do crimp such loadings, but just enough to provide smooth feeding and have not encountered bullets pushed into cases with even 'very light' roll crimps.

[mehavey]

FWIW, a truly full case of 3031 is going to be "somewhat" unpleasant to shoot -- for range fun -- in lever actions even under even "lighter" bullets (But it is a good combo)

Here 87% under a 330 Gould
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?409893-Pure-Lead-amp-PC&p=5001471&viewfull=1#post5001471


.

[sierra1911]

Thanks for all of the info.

Think I'll start with the Redding crimp die and if acceptable accuracy, stick with it. Will be loading in new Starline brass with H4198 as I also inherited plenty of both. Hodgdon starting load shows 2,221 fps and I'll also load some halfway between starting and max which should be just over 2,300 fps.

Whitetail: Thank you for the offer of some cast boolits. I'm good for now with the j-words - will take me a while to use up 1,000 of them. I'll probably only be shooting soda cans and paper so 2,200 to 2,300 fps should be adequate. I have a Lee 457-450-F mold that I bought for a heavier cartridge if the 300 gr pills fail to penetrate and hang in the targets. For lighter recoil I can always pull out my 10/22.

Thank you, sierra1911

P.S. My brother-in-law from whom I inherited the rifle nicknamed it 'Thumper' after its first trip to the range.