reloading 45/70 with Lee, an equipment question

[Dick Dastardly]

Ho WBW, should you be fortunate enough, yer bride might enjoy knocking steel varmints over with cast lead projectiles.  Bring her gently to the discipline.  Admire her outfit.  Don't even LOOK at another woman.  Snuggle her in yer tent at events.  She wants to be part of what you do, but she is hesitant because she just doesn't KNOW.  Let her know that Cowboys will honor her and court her in a most civilized way.

Wimmen are very welcome in our sport.  They just have so many questions.  Questions they want answered before they commit to involvement.  But, when they do, lookout.  They will likely challenge you at the line and in your tent.  If yer lucky. . .

DD-DLoS

[Springfield Slim]

Those Postells are on the way, Bill. And the Big Lube 390's are 25.00/100, not 25/50. Or 60.00/250 if you need more volume. Good luck on your retirement. Technically I can "retire" in 10 years at 65, but being the late starter that I was on having kids(8 and 10 right now) I don't think that is gonna happen!

[Wagon Box Willy]

Thanks Slim,

The only reason I can retire is because I'm on the old pension system so I was not affected by the market.  Like I said I'll be working full time as a consultant....doing the exact same job I was doing, for a year or two or just long enough to get a new kitchen and do a bunch or remodeling on this 270yr old house.

Willy

[Wagon Box Willy]

Had a retirement party yesterday.  Among the gifts was a Colt Walker.  I didn't look at the brand and they took it to mail it home for me but it sure looked nice 

[Wagon Box Willy]

Replies - I got replies  
Mako, for the compression I have both the BACO and the Lee 446.  Reason, I shoot many different types of 45-70's, sometimes using the cases that need to be resized back down using the full length resizing die to just squeeze the neck.  Then the expander plug and either of the compression dies.  

Willy:
* Your good to go with the 0.460 wads.  I just mic'ed  the '460' ones I have.  They are loose in the caliper.  Tighten the caliper a small tad, they are 0.455.  OK, how do you seat the wads?  Use a pencil.   Do not seat the wad with the compression plug
* A fast order for the Postell's is from Buffalo Arms.  Also order some Creedmoor bullets.  Both of these are proven bullets
http://www.buffaloarms.com/411_459_diameter_cast_bullets_pr-4135.aspx?CAT=4135

*  Save your money buying Mike's book.  I gave you all the detail steps on how to reload a BPCR bullet on the SASS Wire ... we have discussed several of the steps here on CasCity.  Here's one of the best free reads there is for reloading BPCR rounds ...
http://www.wahsatchdesperadoes.com/Intro_to_BPCR_Loading.pdf
*  And be sure to do the A-B-C-D formula that I gave you in the post on the SASS Wire to determine your COAL because it will also dictate how much you'll compress the powder column with the plug.  Ya got to fiddle to get the proper height which dictates the compression plug setting.  Sooooooo, be sure you own calipers!
* Be sure NOT to over bell the case.  You need just enough bell so 1/2 of the base diameter seats in the mouth without forcing it in.  And if you screw up with a bell that looks like a large mouth bass's - just put the case back in the full length resizer and then JUST squeeze the mouth, not the full case

Good luck reloading, you'll get a little frustrated in the beginning getting the exact die/plug settings.  But after a few rounds, it will become old hat.  When you have to start over fiddling is if you change bullets!  I have fiddled a lot because I have 15 different 45-70 bullets that I loaded and shot over the years ...

Looking For The Magic Reload!

PS, We Want to See Target Pictures for Your Accomplishments!

Johnboy,

I went about determining COAL a different way and want you're opinion.

I neck sized the brass and inserted the bullet and left it long.  I then chambered the round and seated it with my thumb.  Pulled it out and measured the COAL.  I measured 2.841.  When I load to that length my round the first feeling of interference is shown in the pic below which is about 3/16" or so.  I can easily seat the round with thumb pressure.

Does this look OK?

Thanks, Willy

[cpt dan blodgett]

Are you getting markings from the rifling on the bullets after you close the breach?  If you are, neck tension is greater than the force necessary to engrave the bullet.  Not really a problem.  If there are no marks the bullet is sliding back in just as you had hoped.

You may want to use the drop in the bullet, seat with a pencil and measure to the base of the bullet to determine COL like John Boy suggested, just to see if there is a difference.