45/70

[madluk18]

just bought a 45/70
I would like to start reloading but have a few questions/concerns.

first is, for selecting bullets
i know the dia. is .458
will any .458 be good or does it need to say .458 45/70??

second is the actual expanding die. the instructions weren't really clear. How exactly do I use it??

any help is appreciated

 

[troutseeker]

Congratulations on getting this great old cartridge! It is a very versatile thumper and lot's of fun to shoot.

Bullets in .458 are best if they are designed with a crimp groove to fit the 45/70 cartridge lenght. For example, I recently bought dome .458 bullets from Sierra and the crimp area was designed for .458 magnum, not the 45/70 so I had to crimp them on the ogive, which works, but is not the best on a heavy recoiling round...

I suggest you start with some Hornady 350 grain bullets or the Nosler 300 grain partitions. These two bullets are designed to crimp in the 45/70. Bullet Barn sells some cast bullets for the 45/70, cheap and good bullets too.

The expanding dies only has to fit inside seldom do you need to expand very much. Just put you brass at the top of the press, screw in the expanding die to touch and then a few turns more until you are satisfied it will seat bullets without shaving the lead. With cast bullets I do expand, with jacketed I don't even bother, I just seat themthe neck a short distance to do it's thing. Trial and error is the way to go, but slowly.