Where is the 45-70 Brass?

[Daekar]

Now that I have a 45 caliber suppressor in the safe, I have been toying with picking up a single shot break action in 45-70 and having the barrel threaded. I figure there aren't many problems which can't be solved with an extra wide meplat in front of 500gr of alloy going 1000fps. I was doing my due diligence and checking to see how much I would be able to afford to shoot the thing, and I haven't seen a single piece of brass in stock anywhere.

How long has it been like this? 44mag and 45 Colt are available, but 454, 460, and 45-70 are just not to be had.

[Frosty Boolit]

For at least a year or two. People that have it are gouging when they sell too.

[Daekar]

For at least a year or two. People that have it are gouging when they sell too.

Well that kills that idea stone dead. I am not committing to anything I can't get at least 100pcs of brass for at a decent price, preferably more.

I will have to see what kind of max weight I would be settling for in one of the obtainable options.

[huntinlever]

I kept my eyes peeled on Starline's site, and bought up quite a bit when it was available. Otherwise, its retailers will occasionally sell smaller amounts. It might be a matter of months, but in my experience much less than waiting for LR primers. Put out a WTB here - you never know. In fact, I had more than I need, and sold a couple hundred at cost.

[deces]

Surely, we can't blames this on covid still. What else is going on in the world?

[chriskendziora]

Yes still covid stupidity at work plus inflation..

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[M-Tecs]

https://ammoseek.com/reloading/brass/45-70

[BLAHUT]

Now that I have a 45 caliber suppressor in the safe, I have been toying with picking up a single shot break action in 45-70 and having the barrel threaded. I figure there aren't many problems which can't be solved with an extra wide meplat in front of 500gr of alloy going 1000fps. I was doing my due diligence and checking to see how much I would be able to afford to shoot the thing, and I haven't seen a single piece of brass in stock anywhere.

How long has it been like this? 44mag and 45 Colt are available, but 454, 460, and 45-70 are just not to be had.


Get on Starline's list; when they get to your name, you will get brass, I just got my order.....

[Daekar]

I kept my eyes peeled on Starline's site, and bought up quite a bit when it was available. Otherwise, its retailers will occasionally sell smaller amounts. It might be a matter of months, but in my experience much less than waiting for LR primers. Put out a WTB here - you never know. In fact, I had more than I need, and sold a couple hundred at cost.

That's a really good point. It's been so long since I loaded anything except 357 and 223 that I kind of forgot about large primers.

With small primers going for 10 cents each, Lord only knows what the large ones would average out to.

[bedbugbilly]

"Surely, we can't blames this on covid still. What else is going on in the world?"

Ahhhhhhh . . . . the war in Ukraine where we, the taxpayers, are footing the bill for billions of dollars worth of munitions that are being sent over there, people who don't want to work because the feel that they are "entitled" to government dole out programs still in existence from Covid, a messed up supply system combined with a Secretary of Transportation who is beyond incompetent, a shortage of raw materials, part of which is a supply chain issue, a lack of people who want to work issue and increased government regulations, a corrupt Administration that is anti-gun, pro socialist, anti-citizen pro illegal immigrant/open border regime . . . . really not getting "political" . . just pointing our things "going on in the world" that have an effect on EVERYTHING . . . not to mention inflation.

Starline has been out of many calibers of brass for a long time. Have you taken a look at the WTS/WTS section? There has been new Starline 45/70 brass as well as 1 X fired listed by members recently and it often comes up - or you can post a WTB for it and probably someone has some they can spare.

As far as "price gouging" on it or any brass . . . yes . . . some do try to gouge on it, but, if it sells, then there is a willing buyer . . . it's a buyer's option to walk away if it is too much. But remember . . . everything is more expensive now thanks to the inflation thanks to the swamp. This is still a county of capitalism, in spite of what some think and prices are determined by "supply and demand". No different than going to a hardware store and a hammer costs more or a restaurants where prices have skyrocketed as well . . . all do to the above mentioned things.

I bought a Springfield 45/7- trapdoor during Covid and Starline was out of it even then. I put a WTB in the WTS/WTS section and was able to buy a couple hundred casings of 1 X fired from another member. Works just fine so don't give up OP - I guessing that there are others out there who have some 45/70 brass laying around that they don't need or use that would be willing to part with some.

[KenH]

Here are a couple of sites that says "in stock" for Starline 45-70 brass, both in the <$1 each range. I know nothing about either site.

https://www.defenderammunition.com/products/45-70-brass?variant=40420499914850

https://www.armorally.com/shop/starline-45-70-govt-brass/

[huntinlever]

Powder Valley is a known and excellent supplier. They have Starline in stock at $27 per 50. I'd suggest leaping on it.

https://www.powdervalley.com/product/starline-45-70-brass-50/

[charlie b]

I've been surprised at how little .357 brass is around.

[murf205]

Daekar, It's your decision after all but that Powder Valley brass is a good bet now days. don't make the mistake like I did at last weeks gun show. A guy had a 500 rd brick of W-W shorts for $25 and I commented to my friend what a good buy that was. An hr later after it dawned on my thick skull to go get it, I walked up to see a guy buying them! Late to the dance!

[fredj338]

Brass is available, especially if you only want 100. Place an order with Starline & wait. They show most things out of stock but fill back porders first. Production of all brass went dormant during coivd & will take awhile to get back up. Even then, brass for uncommon calibers may only run once a year.

[NSB]

There’s an ad on this sight in the classifieds for new brass for sale. Have you looked here? This guy’s been selling it and still has a bunch left at a very fair price. I was looking at it a minute ago.

[WILCO]

https://ammoseek.com/reloading/brass/45-70

Great link!!!

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

My last range visit, besides my own brass, I scrounged a bunch of 9s and 45s...and then appeared four 45-70 cases. That was crazy unusual.

[35 Rem]

You might have better luck finding factory ammo to get the brass. This is assuming you didn't take advantage of the Powder Valley link above. That's what I would have done. But I have resorted to factory ammo to get brass. Had to do that in the early 1980's to get 22 Hornet brass. I still have 400 rounds of WW ammo as a result. I know it's repulsive for most of us cast bullet reloaders to buy factory but you gotta do what you gotta do to get brass or you are out of business.

[PhilC]

There are 6 lots of 50ea new Starline in Swappin & Sellin forum right now.

[elmacgyver0]

You could buy loaded .45-70 ammo to get the brass.
If you put down the coin for a 45-caliber rifle suppressor a few boxes of ammo isn't the time to start going cheap.

[WILCO]

There are 6 lots of 50ea new Starline in Swappin & Sellin forum right now.

Didn't know that!!!!!!!

[SoonerEd]

I just ordered 300 starline from Druid Hill Armory for $163 including shipping. So, that's 54 cents each. Got 200 of the same from them several months back. So, will have 500 new cases for my three different 45-70s to sort into various weight batches.

[firefly1957]

Another thing you need to watch for is not to get short 45-70 brass as leverlution ammo is cut to 2 " rather then 2.1 standard . This can be overcome in a sigle shot with less need for proper case crimp by just keeping the same over all cartridge's length.
Here in Michigan if a reloader trims 46-70 brass to 1.8 inches then the gun is legal for deer hunting in the southern part of the state that was formerly for shotgun only .

Each year I get a few 45-70 cases at my club most are the shorter 2" brass I load them with cat sneeze load that equals .45 acp ballistics .

[Soundguy]

the one thing with 45-70 brass is watch out.. or at least be aware of hornady. hornady 45-70 brass made for their ftx projectiles is short. It still works.. but you must use all the same brass in a run and adjust your dies for it.

[44Blam]

the one thing with 45-70 brass is watch out.. or at least be aware of hornady. hornady 45-70 brass made for their ftx projectiles is short. It still works.. but you must use all the same brass in a run and adjust your dies for it.

I have a couple of those mixed in with mine! I do end up seeing them generally when I deprime/resize/trim because I reload 45/70 on a single stage but I hate those.

Also starline at powder valley - they're 50 cents, but at 1000 fps, you'll shoot them tons of times!

[Walstr]

Now that I have a 45 caliber suppressor in the safe, I have been toying with picking up a single shot break action in 45-70 and having the barrel threaded. I figure there aren't many problems which can't be solved with an extra wide meplat in front of 500gr of alloy going 1000fps. I was doing my due diligence and checking to see how much I would be able to afford to shoot the thing, and I haven't seen a single piece of brass in stock anywhere.

How long has it been like this? 44mag and 45 Colt are available, but 454, 460, and 45-70 are just not to be had.

Sent you a PM re: my 45-70 brass.

[Soundguy]

I have a couple of those mixed in with mine! I do end up seeing them generally when I deprime/resize/trim because I reload 45/70 on a single stage but I hate those.

Also starline at powder valley - they're 50 cents, but at 1000 fps, you'll shoot them tons of times!

Yeah..they aren't my first choice..unfortunately..when I needed 45-70 brass years back..i fell into almost 500 pieces of it..1x fired for 20-30$..& bought it. It's a slight pita..but now..its the only 45-70 I use..so it's ok. Dies are adjusted and I doubt I'll ever need more brass..so I'm good to go.

[billmc2]

I just used Ammoseek.com to check for 45-70 brass. Quite a few listings came up. This one was at the top of the list. I think, generally, the higher up the list they are, the cheaper they are. This is 50 pieces of new Starline brass. $32.50.

https://www.defenderammunition.com/products/45-70-brass?variant=40420499914850

[cwlongshot]

Try here; https://republicammunition.com/products/


If nit listed. CALL!!!!

[THE_ANTIDOTE]

I'll take all the HORNADY short brass I can get. I plug em with a 405 grain pill and fire away. I have a set of the HORNADY dies amongst other brands, but the HORNADY dies are my go to for the shorties. I load mine between medium and hot so not krazy. I have plenty of WW and Starline brass, but I wouldn't pass on the HORNADY if offered. Gas cutting/bullet jump might be a concern to some people but I haven't seen any issues with hundreds that I have shot in my Henry, Marlin or 1886's. Always make yourself a handfull of dummy rounds and cycle them a couple times just to check. Also, check Precision Reloading website and get on their notify me list.

[openbook]

Midway was out of Starline 45-70 for quite a long time, but more recently they've had it come into stock several times. The most recent I'm aware of was about 5 or 6 weeks ago, but I haven't been looking since then.

[gnappi]

It's not only 45-70 it's a number of others on Starline because they say they're still catching up from the most recent panic buys. I was lucky and I recently I found 150 pieces of 45-70's in a local gun mag and now I'm set with nearly double that.

Be patient, camp out one Starline's site daily (I've seen some pistol calibers sell out in a single day) and don't wait, buy as soon as you see it.

[crackers]

https://ammoseek.com/reloading/brass/45-70

Too often, it’s like talking to the wind.

[tinsnips]

It ran off with the 44-40 brass, rare as hens teeth lately.

[elmacgyver0]

.45-70 brass is out there, you just got to look, but they are not going to give it away.
I know, I have a couple Trapdoors, an Encore and a Henry H010X to feed.
I would suggest you buy the Henry H010X or the New Marlin for your suppressor, they will put a smile on your face.