Hello everyone. I am looking for some recommendations towards my specific reloading needs. So I would like to primarily reload bulk 45-70 rounds. These will be for training purposes on the rifle. I like to shoot a lot so I will be looking to reload a lot. Let's say 600 rounds a month fire. Because of this I am trying to keep the price per round basically as cheap as possible. I am new to reloading and fully understand lots of people think I should start bare bones basic but I am willing to take on the learning curve with a more advanced kit due to the sheer volume I will be reloading. I am will to spend a bit more not a fortune so that I don't have to upgrade to much or have to buy a whole new kit down the road. The want this process to be a fluent, smooth process if possible. I am leaning towards a Dillion 650 or 750. Now I do shoot a lot of 223/556 and 9mm. If I can swap out a couple things so i can load those as well would be great but the 45-70 is primary and most important. As much help from all you vets would be much appreciated!
Reloading 45-70
- Thread starter Dfnjetproductions
- Start date
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Only solution is either cast.your own or buy cast from someplace like bullet barn or CGN member Jethunter.
458 projectile for 4570 is both expensive and hard to find. There are lots of powders suitable, your reloading source will suggest several. I would think imr4198, reloader 7, and my favorite imr3031 would be a good start. For mouse fart low velocity cast, trailboss.
458 projectile for 4570 is both expensive and hard to find. There are lots of powders suitable, your reloading source will suggest several. I would think imr4198, reloader 7, and my favorite imr3031 would be a good start. For mouse fart low velocity cast, trailboss.
Hey I appreciate getting me started. I am in the process of simply finding out price range for individual parts break downs but like I said I'm new to it. Thanks for a helping hand cause I will defenitly check them out. I'm not ruling casting out but if I could out source that part of the process I will
If money is an issue...
Lee Anniversary package, Lee Dies, Lee flaring die if you shoot cast.
Unfortunately youare starting at a time wherecomponents are scarce and what there is around is expensive.
You still should be able toget started for under $700.
Jet Bullets, can't go wrong with that guy.
Lee Anniversary package, Lee Dies, Lee flaring die if you shoot cast.
Unfortunately youare starting at a time wherecomponents are scarce and what there is around is expensive.
You still should be able toget started for under $700.
Jet Bullets, can't go wrong with that guy.
Cast your own is best for long term savings, but requires some setup and initial investment.
Another option is cheap jacketed bullets.Campro makes a jacketed 300 and 405grain that can be loaded pretty cheaply at a wide range of velocities. I load this to replicate the trajectory of my hunting loads as near as possible, makes for a great way to practice.
I've had good results with starline brass as well. It was the cheapest I could find at the time.
Another option is cheap jacketed bullets.Campro makes a jacketed 300 and 405grain that can be loaded pretty cheaply at a wide range of velocities. I load this to replicate the trajectory of my hunting loads as near as possible, makes for a great way to practice.
I've had good results with starline brass as well. It was the cheapest I could find at the time.
Okay so money isn't a problem. That being said I don't need the bestbof the best, most expensive. For maybe a great middle range kit or even parting one together so that I have something I am satisfied with for let's say a very long time would be perfect.
Thanks fourseventwo yeah sounds like casting there is a huge advantage when it comes to saving a few bucks. Okay how about used kits? Is it smart to also consider a high end kit used to save a few bucks. I'm okay with used as long as the parts/ kit can still hold up the next 10,20 years or longer right. I will check out Cameron as well. Thank you. I don't have a mentor right now so I am pretty much going off the direction you all can help me out with.
Lee is a quality kit. Have been using mine for the last 10 years. Done thousands of rounds from .223 to 45-70 to 30-06 to 9mm.
TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
I’ve had success buying Campro 300 grain boooolits (copper plated) from Shooter’s Choice in Waterloo. Tenda in Richmond Hill also carries Campro plated boooolits.
I did just land a 200 count booolit order of 350 grain cast booolits from Bullet Barn in Northern Alberta, he’s got a website, just google search Bullet Barn (I spelled it correctly).
I buy my powder in 8 pound kegs/jugs from Higginson Powders in Eastern Ontario, Vankleek Hill , I believe. In the past I’ve made a road trip combined with a duck hunt in the St. Lawrence with some buddies in the Cornwall area.
There exist all sorts of recipes for reloading the .45-70 (can you say over 100 years of recipes?) since it’s been around from 1873 onwards. Over 100 years ago, there did not exist all the exotic polymer tipped boooolits with higher ballistic coefficients than the typical flat nose rendition(s).
Currently I’m loading my 300 grain Campro plated booolits to around 1220 FPS, 2” high at 25 yards, 3” high at 50 yards, and zeroed for 100 yards.... all using my fibre optic iron sights that came on my Marlin 1895 .45-70 GSBL.
The 1220 FPS load kicks about as much as my .308 M1 Garand and M1A rigs. And it sure is fun to shoot. Even more fun to let the TUFF Guy members at my gun club has a turn.
Once you set up your dies (I’m a Hornady New Dimension Die fan boy) to resize, flare the case mouth, seat the boooolit, and finally crimp the mouth around the cannelure; you will be off and running. When I first set up my dies, I crushed a couple of cases during the boooolit seating process (My stupidity..... ) since I did not flare the case mouth enough. The beveled base of the boooolit sure helps to keep things centered during that seating process.
Read your directions carefully (says the dummy that got a couple of crushed case mouths)
Let me know if you need any assistance along this .45-70 journey. After reloading for Service Rifle and Precision Rifle for the past 35 years, it sure is fun to reload for .45-70. Next level of fun and enjoyment.
Cheers, Barney
Peace Be To Journey!
I did just land a 200 count booolit order of 350 grain cast booolits from Bullet Barn in Northern Alberta, he’s got a website, just google search Bullet Barn (I spelled it correctly).
I buy my powder in 8 pound kegs/jugs from Higginson Powders in Eastern Ontario, Vankleek Hill , I believe. In the past I’ve made a road trip combined with a duck hunt in the St. Lawrence with some buddies in the Cornwall area.
There exist all sorts of recipes for reloading the .45-70 (can you say over 100 years of recipes?) since it’s been around from 1873 onwards. Over 100 years ago, there did not exist all the exotic polymer tipped boooolits with higher ballistic coefficients than the typical flat nose rendition(s).
Currently I’m loading my 300 grain Campro plated booolits to around 1220 FPS, 2” high at 25 yards, 3” high at 50 yards, and zeroed for 100 yards.... all using my fibre optic iron sights that came on my Marlin 1895 .45-70 GSBL.
The 1220 FPS load kicks about as much as my .308 M1 Garand and M1A rigs. And it sure is fun to shoot. Even more fun to let the TUFF Guy members at my gun club has a turn.
Once you set up your dies (I’m a Hornady New Dimension Die fan boy) to resize, flare the case mouth, seat the boooolit, and finally crimp the mouth around the cannelure; you will be off and running. When I first set up my dies, I crushed a couple of cases during the boooolit seating process (My stupidity.....
) since I did not flare the case mouth enough. The beveled base of the boooolit sure helps to keep things centered during that seating process.Read your directions carefully (says the dummy that got a couple of crushed case mouths)
Let me know if you need any assistance along this .45-70 journey. After reloading for Service Rifle and Precision Rifle for the past 35 years, it sure is fun to reload for .45-70. Next level of fun and enjoyment.
Cheers, Barney
Peace Be To Journey!
Attachments
A Dillon 550 is a better press for reloading rifle rounds, specially 45/70.
It will do 300/400 rounds an hour easy. Caliber change are faster and cheaper. Less to go wrong for somebody new to it. In .223 or 9 mm you can up this to close to 500 rounds an hour.
If you go Dillon, buy Dillon dies. They are made and set up for a progressive. Will save you some aggravation. Using cast, dies will need to be cleaned more often and Dillon removable cores are made for this task.
Cast bullet is the way to go - cheaper if you cast it yourself, more control on diameter - lube - bullet style and weight. I shoot 75/100 rounds each week end of 45/70 in two guns, hum 600 seem a lot in that caliber.
I am using 5744 for all my Win 86 and Sharp 1874. At my club most use the Dominion D5744 for lead bullet.
Which gun are you planning to reload for ?
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I load 45-70 on a single stage press, but I don't shoot anywhere near 600x 45-70 a month. I haven't tried it but i think maybe loading 45-70 on a 650 Dillon might entail some obstacles to overcome. I think a 550 might be better for that but can't say I've tried 45-70 on that either.
I'm all castin' & coatin'
Nice coating..just too bad we cannot used those at our Club matches...lead only as per pre-1900 ways.
Thanks tactical teacher
Yeah I am really excited to learn as much on reloading as possible.
If you guys have another recommendations for where to buy some of this stuff other than listed above would be great. I know there's a few shops connected to our website but yeahbi would have never thought of jet bullets or bullet barn so word of mouth is great.
Yeah I am really excited to learn as much on reloading as possible.
If you guys have another recommendations for where to buy some of this stuff other than listed above would be great. I know there's a few shops connected to our website but yeahbi would have never thought of jet bullets or bullet barn so word of mouth is great.
the 45-70 will be for my marlin 1895 trapper. short barrel at 16.5.
okay so for casting can you guys steer me in the right directing where to buy materials. ill try find a used equipment im thinking? okay so my rough 600 was thinking if i shot 150 a week. it probably wont be that much but on a regular ill put 200 9mm down range and 200 556 rounds down range each range day. so each week if i can make it out. thanks about the heads up on the 550 too. thats good to know
okay so for casting can you guys steer me in the right directing where to buy materials. ill try find a used equipment im thinking? okay so my rough 600 was thinking if i shot 150 a week. it probably wont be that much but on a regular ill put 200 9mm down range and 200 556 rounds down range each range day. so each week if i can make it out. thanks about the heads up on the 550 too. thats good to know
600 rounds a month is a lot of 45-70 shooting. Factor in the cost of a new barrel every year or two at that rate.
Casting and reloading are similar in that basic kit is lower cost and slower too. To go faster just add money.
Probably the first investment you make should be getting a grasp on the processes and equipment. Reloading and casting manuals, and youtube are good places to start.
Casting and reloading are similar in that basic kit is lower cost and slower too. To go faster just add money.
Probably the first investment you make should be getting a grasp on the processes and equipment. Reloading and casting manuals, and youtube are good places to start.
Shooting over 7000 rounds per year, you should also be looking for bulk brass/primers and a supplier of barrels.
It would also help to know the type of rifle you're shooting.
I would assume something like a Marlin lever action?
If you aren't familiar with casting lead or shooting cast lead bullets, do some due diligence online. Lead fouling can be extremely difficult to clean, if it's been pounded hard to the bore, mixed with powder residue .
It would also help to know the type of rifle you're shooting.
I would assume something like a Marlin lever action?
If you aren't familiar with casting lead or shooting cast lead bullets, do some due diligence online. Lead fouling can be extremely difficult to clean, if it's been pounded hard to the bore, mixed with powder residue .
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I'll jump in on the appropriate press debate. I have loaded 45-70 on both a 550B & a Dillon 650 and for the volume you suggest you will be loading, the 650 is the press I would recommend because of the easier case feeder set-up. The one caveat, To use a Dillon case feeder for 45-70 will require a "long cartridge" assembly retrofit but it is a 5 minute job to install.
The biggest difference between the two press's is that a 650 can be easily be configured in a few seconds to operate the same as a manually operated 550 but a 550 will never be a progressive press ever.
The biggest difference between the two press's is that a 650 can be easily be configured in a few seconds to operate the same as a manually operated 550 but a 550 will never be a progressive press ever.
