45-70 reloading advice

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Old_Joe

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Hi all,

Im heading out to sight in my new 1895 SBL and when I picked up some ammo I had some sticker shock. From what I have read the 45-70 is just ripe for reloading. What do I need to get started? Used would be fine I would think but again I dont know. The rifle itself looks like fun to shoot and I imagine I would end up taking it out for some quality outdoor time.

thanks
 
To get started with the most basic/starter reloading set up, you will need this:

1. Press (single stage) O frame
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets.
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (LEE dies come with shell holder)
5. trimmer (not needed for most handgun cartridges) use the LEE handheld trimmers for about $15
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (easy to make it yourself with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. case preparation tools (inside/outside neck chamfer, large and small primer pocket cleaners)
9. caliper (digital or dial)
10. bullet puller, because you will need one eventually

This is a basic setup that will make excellent quality ammunition and is all that many shooters will ever require. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.
 
jethunter said:
To get started with the most basic/starter reloading set up, you will need this:

This is a basic setup that will make excellent quality ammunition and is all that many shooters will ever require. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for. Looks to be a another great hobby for winter.
 
45-70 is great to start reloading on. You can reload full power rounds or can us unique powder for some easy on the shoulder plinking rounds. Watch the brass if you get some once fired hornady leveroution brass it is a little bit shorter than standard 45-70 brass. It's not a big deal at all just have to be aware of it and adjust your dies according.
 
Out of my Marlin 1895 micro-groove with 4X Leupold....350gr Hornady/44gr-IMR4198/.504" 3 shot group at 100 yards...................300gr HP Hornady /54gr -IMR 3031/.536" at 100 yards...........Win brass
 
HeliMD said:
45-70 is great to start reloading on. You can reload full power rounds or can us unique powder for some easy on the shoulder plinking rounds. Watch the brass if you get some once fired hornady leveroution brass it is a little bit shorter than standard 45-70 brass. It's not a big deal at all just have to be aware of it and adjust your dies according.
Click to expand...

Yeah it sure seems to be something I can enjoy. Looking forward to it.
 
mbogo3 said:
Out of my Marlin 1895 micro-groove with 4X Leupold....350gr Hornady/44gr-IMR4198/.504" 3 shot group at 100 yards...................300gr HP Hornady /54gr -IMR 3031/.536" at 100 yards...........Win brass
Click to expand...

If you are saying that you are grouping .5" @100 yards then I am very impressed.
 
The 45-70 is a reloader's rifle. Ammo from the store is low powered and expensive. Hornady came out with the .450 belted lever gun cartridge for the people that wanted it's real potential, but didn't reload. The 6.5 creedmoore is the same thing from Hornady for people that don't reload. They can buy high pressure match ammo like what people have been loading for their .260's and 6.5x55 swede's for years.

A lee (or other single stage) press, a reloading scale, a pound or two of reloader 7, either 4198, 3031, or similar, a couple boxes of primers and a pack of 200 jet hard cast bullets will get you rolling with your empty brass. Smaller tools like lee case trimming tools can come into play after you get past your first few boxes. Buy a good reloading book and read it cover to cover a few times.

You get one of these... 425gr RNFP gas check .459" (.460")....$47/100; $90/200 up to above 1600 feet per second and you will understand why people still like the 45/70.
 
OP, you don't mention how much money you can afford to put out, or if the 45/70 is the only cartridge you will be reloading for.

You can do this on the cheap, with pretty decent results or you can go high end on new stuff.

The cheap end can be gotten into with a Lee Precision Kit for around $75 for everything you need, or a Lee Hand Press and a set of dies for appx $125, with a couple of scoops to measure powder.

The Lee Precision makes some very decent ammunition, especially for straight wall cases, such as the 45/70. However, it's excruciatingly tedious and slow.

The Lee Hand Press is somewhat quicker and a bit bigger. Both will easily fit in a desktop drawer of small fishing box, with enough components to load 50 rounds.

After these basic sets, you will be getting into needing more space, a heavy table top to mount a press.

You can get completed single stage kits from Lee quite reasonably.

Go onto the LEE Website or Amazon for prices. There are quite a few banner advertisers at the to of the page that may have what you're looking for in stock and be more reasonably priced than Amazon.

Next, GET A MENTOR.

Most local gun shops will provide you with basic instructions and show you how to operate a single stage press. Some even have presses set up that they will allow you to use, IF YOU PURCHASE THE COMPONENTS FROM THEM.

Don't expect to get instructions, etc from Cabela's or Canadian Tire.
 
I started out with a RCBS rockchucker kit, which at the time, was a grand total of $265 after the mail-in rebate. Has everything you need to get started.

I still use the same press and priming tool, but as I've gone down the rabbit hole, I've upgraded some of my gear to make it easier on myself.

45-70 is a great round to reload for, and can be very economical to shoot this way. YouTube has lots of good videos, the book "ABCs of Reloading" is another valuable source.

As some have mentioned, Hornady Leverevolution ammo has cut down brass that is shorter than standard brass to fit the FTX projectiles. I load FTX for hunting, so it doesn't bother me too much.

Take your time loading up the first batch, don't feel too bad messing up a couple cases getting the hang of things when setting your dies.

If you can find a buddy, local CGNer, or range member to show you the ropes it'll go a long way to help de-mystify things for you.

After you get going, have fun! It's an addictive hobby and another way in which to enjoy shooting/hunting in the comfort of your home.
 
Old_Joe said:
Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for. Looks to be a another great hobby for winter.
Click to expand...

I see you are in the Calgary area. Pro-Line gun store down on 9th ave would be a good place to visit on Saturday mornings to find a possible "mentor" or make enquiries to CDTSA gun club...both have a strong contingent of "cowboy Shooters" who have been down the 45-70 rabbit hole for years.
 
45-70 is a good cartridge to learn reloading. Contact CGN member Greenbob for a link to free reloading resources, data, and instruction manuals.

People are shy of reloading because they think it's complicated. Reloading is not hard, you can teach yourself to reload using just your own equipment and a reloading manual in a couple hrs.

If you're a modern visual learner Youtube is a good resource but don't zero in on just one video, watch a few from different sources on each subject. Some vids are better than others.
Gun Digest made some online videos that are worth seeing.

episode-01-basics-reloading
episode-2-tools
episode-3-case-resizing
episode-4-primers
episode 5 Powders
episode-6-bullets
episode 7 specialty brass
episode-8-troubleshooting
episode 9 Primer Assembly
hepisode 10 cartridge assembly


hHickok45 Reloading Basics
 
Last edited:
unstableryan said:
The 45-70 is a reloader's rifle. Ammo from the store is low powered and expensive. Hornady came out with the .450 belted lever gun cartridge for the people that wanted it's real potential, but didn't reload. The 6.5 creedmoore is the same thing from Hornady for people that don't reload. They can buy high pressure match ammo like what people have been loading for their .260's and 6.5x55 swede's for years.

A lee (or other single stage) press, a reloading scale, a pound or two of reloader 7, either 4198, 3031, or similar, a couple boxes of primers and a pack of 200 jet hard cast bullets will get you rolling with your empty brass. Smaller tools like lee case trimming tools can come into play after you get past your first few boxes. Buy a good reloading book and read it cover to cover a few times.

You get one of these... 425gr RNFP gas check .459" (.460")....$47/100; $90/200 up to above 1600 feet per second and you will understand why people still like the 45/70.
Click to expand...

Nice thanks for the advice. I had a huge amount of fun and think this rifle might be my hunting and fun gun. Just might be time to retire my 1950's Husky in 30-06.
 
bearhunter said:
1. OP, you don't mention how much money you can afford to put out, or if the 45/70 is the only cartridge you will be reloading for.

2. Next, GET A MENTOR.
Click to expand...

1. - I just bought my 1895 SBL with scope so cash is tight like aways!

2. - I would love too, If anyone in Calgary with used equipment for sale that could show me the ropes PM me Please.

thanks for the advice, I am a big fan of learning from other peoples miss steps.
 
jethunter said:
45-70 is a good cartridge to learn reloading. Contact CGN member Greenbob for a link to free reloading resources, data, and instruction manuals.
Click to expand...

Will do thanks. It looks like fun and appeals to my anal side, (I mean detailed orientated). Doing deep dive as we speak
 
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