Reloading .45-70

Cookie · April 11, 2011, 01:00:08 AM

Just bought my first Buffalo Gun, and I've got an issue with reloading.

I've only been reloading a year, so I have no idea if it's supposed to be this way, but I'm having to apply a HUGE amount of force to run the 45-70 brass thru the sizing die.

Before this I've only been reloading pistol brass (45 Colt & 45 ACP) with Lee Carbide dies, and those run smooth as silk. But with the Lee steel dies, I'm really afraid a piece of brass is going to just get stuck.

Am I doing something wrong? As I said, I'm running 45-70 brass (Starline) thru Lee steel dies. I'm using generous amounts of case lube - 3 squirts per case. (It's Cabela's alchohol / lanolin spray lube, if that matters.)

Even with all that lube I'm having to brace my press (to keep from tearing loose) while I size the cases. I know that's not right...

StrawHat · April 11, 2011, 05:38:55 AM

What press are you using?

Cookie · April 11, 2011, 11:27:49 AM

Lee Classic Turret

Will Ketchum · April 11, 2011, 12:54:06 PM

I have a similar problem with some Redding 30-06 sizing dies. You might try removing the expanding plug and polishing it. If you have a micrometer you can try slowly removing some material from the plug. I chucked mine in a drill press and used fine emery paper checking it with the mic often. Also don't use too much lube. I use spray lube and only lube about every third case. It can be helpful to get a very small amount inside the neck. I have actually never heard of this problem on 45-70.
Have you tried clambering the case to see if it will go? It might be you don't have to do anything or just neck size it a bit. Many shooters don't size their brass if it's going to be shot out of the same gun. For a single shot the slug usually can be seated by hand.

I don't load much for the 45-70 these days but I am about to start again. There are many people on this forum that are much more knowledgeable regarding this round.

Will Ketchum

Ranch 13 · April 11, 2011, 01:45:33 PM

Did you clean the size die before you started. Sometimes there's alot of gunky heavy oil inside those dies that really smuck things up.
Barring that you may be learning why lee dies tend to cost twice as much, you buy the lee's get fed up and buy a set of decent quality...

Will Ketchum · April 11, 2011, 02:17:38 PM

Quote from: Ranch 13 on April 11, 2011, 01:45:33 PM
Did you clean the size die before you started. Sometimes there's alot of gunky heavy oil inside those dies that really smuck things up.
Barring that you may be learning why lee dies tend to cost twice as much, you buy the lee's get fed up and buy a set of decent quality...

I guess that depends on one's own experience. I have several sets of Lee dies and they work just great. I have a set of Lee 45 Colt set up in my Dillon. I have loaded many thousands of rounds with them. I did exchange the bullet seating die with a Dillon just because they are easier to clean the bullet lube out of then the Lee. I have found the Lee Factory crimp die to be one of the best additions to my loading that I have ever used. They don't depend on uniform cartridge length and give a perfect crimp every time.

Just my experience.

Will Ketchum

Ranch 13 · April 11, 2011, 04:41:08 PM

Am speaking from experience.

john boy · April 11, 2011, 05:27:55 PM

QuoteI'm using generous amounts of case lube - 3 squirts per case. (It's Cabela's alchohol / lanolin spray lube, if that matters.)

Go to a drug store anf about 6 bucks, buy a green can of Bag Balm. It's all lanolin. A little rubbed on the case does it.

I do caliber reforming and use the Lee 3 hole turret press with my dies, various brands, and have no issues with cases binding

wildman1 · April 11, 2011, 06:58:10 PM

I use the Lee 45-70 dies and at first I had the same prob. you were having I cleaned them and use a small amount of Lee case lube and no problem. WM

Cookie · April 12, 2011, 05:38:40 PM

Wow, thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it.

@Will - Unfortunately I don't have the skill / courage to start modifying my dies. I haven't had any chambering issues, and I only have 1 rifle. So, I did take your advice and I backed my sizing die way out so it's just sizing the neck. That helps a lot.

@John Boy - I'll have to check that out. What section should I look in?

@Wildman - Good to know. I'll give the sizing die a good cleaning.

Thanks again guys.

Shotgun Franklin · April 12, 2011, 09:15:23 PM

If you're using the same brass in the same rifle all the time you can kinda neck size the brass. First see if the cleaned fired brass will chamber. If it will then just run your brass into the die enough to size around the neck. then reload the case as normal. Use a dummy round to find how much you need to work the brass to get it to work in your gun. Use the dummy round to keep your dies set. I've used this method to load .45-70, .38-55 and even .38 S&W. There is a very good chance your rounds will NOT work in another gun but then again they might. Testing is the only way to find out.

Montana Slim · April 13, 2011, 04:37:56 PM

If you really want to find the root cause, you'll need to consider a chamber-cast of the rifle.
If you're only planning to load for this particular rifle, you may want to have your sizing die cut back to only neck-size the brass.

You don't give many details about the firearm, reloading press or your loading process....which would really help......but, I assume your applying lube to cartridge cases before sizing....right?

Slim

WaddWatsonEllis · July 19, 2011, 05:11:40 PM

Cookie,

Bag Balm ... originally made to care for the thorn and cold damaged 'bags' of a cow. Sworn by as a propyllactic against bedsores traditionally .... you should be able to buy it in any drug store ... the can should look something like this:

Driftwood Johnson · August 24, 2011, 08:15:05 AM

Howdy

What brand of brass are you using?

I reload 45-70 with a set of RCBS dies. I had some Federal brass that just would not size. Yes, I thoroughly cleaned out the die. No matter how much case lube I put on that brass, it wanted to get stuck. I bought some Winchester brass and had no problems, so now I only load 45-70 with Winchester brass.

Bag Balm!! I hate that stuff!! Hate the smell!!

Mrs Johnson insists on rubbing it on her feet all winter long. PeeYoo. That stuff stinks worse than BP smoke on a summer morning.

Stu Kettle · August 24, 2011, 10:35:08 AM

Try some mink oil, mine is Kiwi brand, real slick & don't smell bad

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · August 24, 2011, 03:34:26 PM

All I've used for 20 years; Imperial Die Wax

http://toolbar.inbox.com/search/results.aspx?tp=pts&src=pts&tbid=80142&q=Imperial+Die+Wax

WaddWatsonEllis · August 24, 2011, 05:41:20 PM

Although originally designed for the teats of a cow to protect them during snow and thistle season (in fact, some of the early cans say 'for Veterinary use only), when I did hospital work Bag Balm was de rigeur for decubitus and pressure sores.

I guess it does have an odor of its own ... but compared to the smell of gas gangrene or a nasty staph infection, it always seemed negligible.

'Course I have been told many times that my sense of smell is gone , so I may be a bad judge of odors.

G W Wade · August 24, 2011, 08:18:37 PM

never tried cabelas case lube but one of my friends tried cabelas black powder lube. He couldnt pound the maxiballs in with a hammer---loaned him something else no problem..just idle thoughts from an idlr fellow...good luck

cpt dan blodgett · August 25, 2011, 10:18:16 AM

Very similar product called udder cream does not have the bag balm smell and is less greasy

cpt dan blodgett · November 01, 2011, 11:30:58 PM

Actually I have always used lyman or RCBS case lube and rolled the cases on my initial (17 year old) Lyman lube pad. Do not have a problem with Hornandy or Redding dies. Only have used Lees on pistols 9mm 9mm Mak, 38/357 and 44 Spec / Mag. My 45 dies are Hornandy as are all of my rifle dies except 7mm Mauser Redding.

I am using a lyman neck sizer for 45/70