Dies for 45-70

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thorslund

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I will be buying a marlin 45-70 soon and am researching dies for reloading.I will be reloading mostly cast bullets.The impression I am getting is that Redding dies have a slight edge over the others.What is the experience out there?Is it better to stick to one brand or pick out the best individual dies from a number of manufacturers and combine them?Feedback would be much appreciated.
 
For easy to load cases like the 45-70, I don't think there are any "bad"dies!
Over the years I have used more RCBS dies than any other brand, but also have Hornady, Redding, C-E, etc. I had never had the cheap ones, like Herters or Lee, but when I got the 45-70 Marlin, I just looked for the cheapest, Lee.
The Lee dies work well, no trouble at all. The Lee shell holders are sure sloppy though, I don't like them.
Everybody told me to get the Lee factory crimp die, so I did. Used it quite a bit, then went to the standard crimping seating die. Now I prefer the standard seating die for crimping.
In short, I would get the Lee dies again for the 45-70, but try to get some other shell holder and I wouldn't get the Lee factory crimp die.
 
Just noticed, Thorslund, that was your first post!
Congratulations on getting started, plus you had a very good and sensible first posting, well written.
We will look forward to many more.
H4831
 
I have and have had a number of different brands of dies. I have a couple of sets of Lyman, Bonanza but the majority are RCBS. From my experience and to my way of thinking, RCBS are the benchmark for the industry.
 
I like Redding, Hornady, RCBS about equally. Definitely not Lee dies but I do really like their powder measure. A caution about buying used dies: frequently 45/70 dies that have been used to reload black powder can be rusted and/or all gummed up. More so if they've been sitting in a damp basement for years.
 
The Lyman 'M' die (expanding die with a step that allows you to choose the amount of flare) is the cats ass for reloading lead bullets in a 45-70. As to the rest of the dies, I can't really fault any of them. I have a number of brands, and have no issues. The Lee Factory crimp die is a worthwhile investment, but for cast bullets, The regular crimp from the seating die will do fine, or it has for me anyway.
 
I use Hornady dies along with a Lee crimp die for 45-70. As mentioned the 45-70 is easy to load for and nearly any brand of die will work.

I agree with H4831 about the Lee shellholders though. I too find them to be way too sloppy for my taste.
 
I prefer Hornady dies for most reloading but use many sets of RCBS. For my five 45-70 rifles I use a set of RCBS and Iam very happy with results. I also have a file trim die thats I use for case trimming.
 
thorslund said:
I will be buying a marlin 45-70 soon and am researching dies for reloading.I will be reloading mostly cast bullets.The impression I am getting is that Redding dies have a slight edge over the others.What is the experience out there?Is it better to stick to one brand or pick out the best individual dies from a number of manufacturers and combine them?Feedback would be much appreciated.
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Great first post. I like lyman dies but I like Lee factory crimp die. Now saying that I also have Hornady set. It was a gift.
I've heard but never seen them RCBS Cowboy dies .

Last thing look at Lyman M die for cast bullets. No lead shavings during seating. Good luck have fun. After the Marlin you will want a single shot next.
 
for my 45-70 ive been using RCBS dies and have liked them. its a fairly forgiving bullet to reload.

Ive also found to go lite on the crimp works well with my cast bullets that ive been getting off the bullet barn.

GL. if you need any info pm me.
 
I use RCBS dies for most stuff. They work well for my 45/70 but I haven't used any others to compare too. The Lee factory crimp die is a must. Its will let you seat any bullet with or without a crimp grove anywhere you wish, ie your COL. This makes it ideal for the Marlin as some .458 bullets don't have crimp groves to meet the 2.5 (ish) COL for 45/70's to cycle. The die also holds much better than a RCBS crimp/seating die which is some cases burns powder (depending on which type) much more efficantly. It will lower your ES aswell, giving you very consitant/accurate ammo.

Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore ammo did extesive testing with 45/70 ammo and found that a heavy crimp made a big difference in the same load. You could look it up as I'm sure its somewhere on the internet. Good luck

Cheers

Seabass
 
I've just finished re-loading and shooting about 1500 45-70 over the past three months. I bought the lee die set as well as the factory crimp die. Everything worked just fine with no complaints at all.:D Don't forget to buy their case trimmer as well while your at it.
 
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