Crimping Hornaday 45/70 Brass

Jubel · July 23, 2016, 09:59:56 AM

Everyone knows a single shot 45/70 does not always require a crimp. The lever action 45/70 in a 1895 Marlin or a Rio Grande or the 45/70 Big Boy does. Why because recoil could pull the bullet in the magazine tube or action. This happened to me. I was considering having my Lee 45/70 factory crimp die modified. Then I discovered the solution in the new Redding crimp die for Hornaday 45/70 cartridges. They are available at Mid Way USA and very reasonable in price. Safety first always in hand loading!

Trailrider · July 23, 2016, 05:21:25 PM

While I understand the theory behind not crimping for rounds used in single-shot guns, I strongly recommend crimping, if at all possible, as well as insuring the bullet is tightly held by the case neck, especially with smokeless loadings! Both crimping and a tight neck interference help insure there is enough delay in shot-start to insure proper ignition of the powder. Failure to get good ignition can result in hangfires that can even result in overpressures if the bullet stops in the forcing cone or somewhere in the barrel. For jacketed Hornady bullets, I used to apply a new crimp groove using a knurling tool. May not be necessary with cast bullets as a light crimp can be applied that will actually compress the bullet side sufficiently to hold the slug in place.

Delmonico · July 23, 2016, 09:19:06 PM

If that's Reddings Taper Crimp Die, it ain't new because I have had one since 1995.

In fact I use a taper crimp for everything I crimp.

wildman1 · July 24, 2016, 02:56:52 AM

Could be he's talking about crimping HORNADAY 45/70 brass. Could be a new die because Hornaday brass is shorter by quite a bit than regular 45/70 brass. wM1

Delmonico · July 24, 2016, 11:54:43 AM

Quote from: wildman1 on July 24, 2016, 02:56:52 AM
Could be he's talking about crimping HORNADAY 45/70 brass. Could be a new die because Hornaday brass is shorter by quite a bit than regular 45/70 brass. wM1

Well if won't crimp with the old Redding die I have it must be pretty dang short because it has a little ring on it to adjust it.

wildman1 · July 24, 2016, 06:32:44 PM

OR maybe he was talking about a NEW die.

wM1

Delmonico · July 25, 2016, 03:12:56 PM

Well the old one would do 45-60 to 45-3 1/4 so the brass Hornady is making must be really short.

Ranch 13 · July 25, 2016, 08:26:46 PM

Quote from: wildman1 on July 24, 2016, 02:56:52 AM
Could be he's talking about crimping HORNADAY 45/70 brass. Could be a new die because Hornaday brass is shorter by quite a bit than regular 45/70 brass. wM1

That's only the lever evolution brass, their component brass measures 2.1 inches.

wildman1 · July 26, 2016, 02:49:57 AM

Hey R13 how ya doin? Was out in yer neck of the woods month or so ago. Pawnee Station a few miles east of Ft. Collins. wM1

Ranch 13 · July 26, 2016, 08:39:50 AM

Doing good,just got home from the BPTR nationals last night.
My great nephew is the cook at Pawnee Station. Know that country well

Delmonico · July 26, 2016, 10:08:36 AM

Quote from: Ranch 13 on July 25, 2016, 08:26:46 PM
That's only the lever evolution brass, their component brass measures 2.1 inches.

Good information and explains a lot.

Ranch 13 · July 26, 2016, 10:43:23 AM

The component brass is also pretty heavy compared to WW and RP. I have a couple of bags of it, but haven't had a chance to put it thru the paces yet.

Delmonico · July 26, 2016, 01:13:16 PM

Used a lot of their 243 brass, was a bit heavier also, but gave good life, been hearing their 22 Hornet brass tends to suffer some from off center flash holes.

Ranch 13 · July 26, 2016, 01:54:08 PM

Have always liked their brass, never had any problems with it. Just need to get busy and see how this stuff works in the 45-70

Delmonico · July 26, 2016, 02:30:45 PM

Quote from: Ranch 13 on July 26, 2016, 01:54:08 PM
Have always liked their brass, never had any problems with it. Just need to get busy and see how this stuff works in the 45-70

I'm in a Hornet group and it seems they had some QC problems with the Hornet that seems to be fixed no, saw a couple pictures where the decapping pins hit the edge. I like there brass and being a semi-local product (90 miles away) it makes me happy to use their product.

wildman1 · July 26, 2016, 06:14:28 PM

Quote from: Ranch 13 on July 25, 2016, 08:26:46 PM
That's only the lever evolution brass, their component brass measures 2.1 inches.

I used the Hornady 45/70 brass I had to make 38/56 brass it actually stretches a little when ya resize it. wM1

Steel Striker · August 04, 2016, 01:05:42 PM

Quote from: Jubel on July 23, 2016, 09:59:56 AM
Everyone knows a single shot 45/70 does not always require a crimp. The lever action 45/70 in a 1895 Marlin or a Rio Grande or the 45/70 Big Boy does. Why because recoil could pull the bullet in the magazine tube or action. This happened to me. I was considering having my Lee 45/70 factory crimp die modified. Then I discovered the solution in the new Redding crimp die for Hornaday 45/70 cartridges. They are available at Mid Way USA and very reasonable in price. Safety first always in hand loading!

After much discussion with Redding Rep, he realized I was loading Hardcast Lead! He then promptly suggested I purchase the "RCBS Cowboy Action 3-die set". The Redding crimp die was resizing my boolit in the process, which was the original crux of the matter. The RCBC Cowboy die works beautifully, crimping my 461-405 pills. Casting with CWW's + 2% Sn. Now resizing to .460+ for better concentricity & a bit less case bulge for better chambering.

I'm using conventional W-W brass, 2.085"-2.10" in length.