Crimping the 45-70

[Weatherby2]

Good day folks! I just started reloading the 45-70 and was wondering if anyone can tell me how much is too much crimp?

 

[longbranch*]

As much crimp without deforming the case I'd say. In other words if you can see the roll crimp filling the bullet groove you should be fine.
My 2 cents.

 

[H4831]

Use as little crimp as you can get by with.
The life of 45-70 brass is determined by when cracks occur in the end of the neck and these happen because of expanding and crimping.
Target shooting, or plinking, is often done by single shot, so these need no crimping, at all.

 

[Weatherby2]

Can you over pressure if you use an excessive crimp?

 

[Weatherby2]

Use as little crimp as you can get by with.
The life of 45-70 brass is determined by when cracks occur in the end of the neck and these happen because of expanding and crimping.
Target shooting, or plinking, is often done by single shot, so these need no crimping, at all.

Thank you for your knowledge much appreciated fellas!

 

[Chas59]

Haven't loaded 45-70 but I just started loading .460 S&W and crimped the heck out of them being shot in a revolver and all. I know it's different than a rifle but didn't find any over pressure issues, however they weren't loaded to max powder either which may come into play.

 

[brybenn]

I use a lee factory crimp die. Works fine

 

[H4831]

Just a word on the Lee, so called factory crimp die.
I had one for the 45-70, but found it useless. It didn't crimp near as well as the crimping part of a standard seating die and it is impossible to do a hard crimp with them.

 

[Luis1]

Because I'm not reloading 100s of 45-70 I load usually, at the most 50 at a time, I seat the bullet and then I readjust the die to do a mild to moderate roll crimp at the crimp line on the bullet (I for the most part only use cast bullets in mine), just enough to see the rim of the case mouth roll into the crimp groove. No signs of over pressure and I do this to keep the bullet from backing out under recoil. If you want I can take a pic of mine so you can see what I mean?

 

[H4831]

Weatherby2, it sounds like you are doing excellent.
Crimping just enough to hold the bullet under recoil is the best you can do to preserve case life.
And no, you don't have to worry about excess pressure from over crimping.
Bruce

 

[bearhunter]

Use as little crimp as you can get by with.
The life of 45-70 brass is determined by when cracks occur in the end of the neck and these happen because of expanding and crimping.
Target shooting, or plinking, is often done by single shot, so these need no crimping, at all.

This. Listen to the man. Why are you crimping??? Do you have a lever action rifle or a bolt action with a magazine??? If not, no good reason for crimping. I load 45-70 for a Sharps replica with Black Powder and don't bother with a crimp. I tried crimping and it didn't change a thing accuracy or velocity wise.