45-70 reloading question

Art

Art

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Hello, I just purchased a Ruger # 1 in 45-70. I am having some difficulty as it seems it only likes short cartridges. Most of my Marlin Guide Gun loads are too long for this rifle. It seems anything with a C.O.L. of more than 2.53" gives me grief. Is this normal? I pretty much have to go beyond the crimping groove on 350gr Hornady flat nose in order to get the overall length down. Just seems odd that I have to load so short? Any advice or experiences with the Ruger # 1 would be appreciated. Thanks. Art
 
Art said:
Hello, I just purchased a Ruger # 1 in 45-70. I am having some difficulty as it seems it only likes short cartridges. Most of my Marlin Guide Gun loads are too long for this rifle. It seems anything with a C.O.L. of more than 2.53" gives me grief. Is this normal? I pretty much have to go beyond the crimping groove on 350gr Hornady flat nose in order to get the overall length down. Just seems odd that I have to load so short? Any advice or experiences with the Ruger # 1 would be appreciated. Thanks. Art
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Try some heavy cast bullets around 500 grains,350 is too small for the 45-70:D
 
45-70

The grief I am experiencing is that is seems that I cannot close the action on most of my regular length loads. Only shorter reloads seem to allow me to close the action.
 
I had the same problem with my Ruger #1 and the Hornady 350 gr flat nose bullets.
I switched to Speer 350 grain bullets and no more problems.
I gave the unused Hornady bullets to a friend with a Guide Gun.
 
The short throat on Rugers can be fixed by gunsmith lengthening the throat or "ballseat" to allow longer rounds. For now you could use some of the WFN cast bullet designs, these are heavy bullets with a short, wide flat , nose.
 
Art: The question is how much too long is it? If just a bit I wouldn't hesitate to trim the cases back about 1/10" and keep those cases just for use with that bullet. Most 45/70's have virtually no throat, the chamber being only a short bit longer than the cartridge case. Otherwise have the throat lengthened or use a different bullet. It also doesn't hurt to seat the bullet a bit deeper if required. In a single shot there is no problem with the bullet creeping deeper as it might in a tube magazine under spring tension. Just roll crimp it at the correct length to allow it to chamber freely and work up your loads considering you have reduced the case capacity slightly and thus raised pressures slightly.
 
stocker said:
Art: The question is how much too long is it? If just a bit I wouldn't hesitate to trim the cases back about 1/10" and keep those cases just for use with that bullet. Most 45/70's have virtually no throat, the chamber being only a short bit longer than the cartridge case. Otherwise have the throat lengthened or use a different bullet. It also doesn't hurt to seat the bullet a bit deeper if required. In a single shot there is no problem with the bullet creeping deeper as it might in a tube magazine under spring tension. Just roll crimp it at the correct length to allow it to chamber freely and work up your loads considering you have reduced the case capacity slightly and thus raised pressures slightly.
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x2, you also might want to try the Hornady leverevolution shell, it's a bit shorter iirc
 
Yeah - Hornady Rev brass is considerably shorter. Still puzzled a bit though - in a #1 you should be able to size to max brass length and fit a 350 to the can no problem???
 
For my Ruger #1 I have to seat the bullets to the second crimping groove for them to chamber.I use a very light crimp and have no problem.Try backing your die off a little and just seat the bullet to the proper depth.You really don't have to crimp for a #1
 
River Rat; No crimp needed is true most of the time unless you are using a heavily compressed load which can back the bullet out. A light crimp doesn't hurt and smooths the chambering process as well.
 
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