What do I need to get started loading for the 45-70?

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Stefan

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Hey guys,

I'm more or less a total newbie when it comes to handloading. I reload my own shotshells, but thats it. How could I get started loading for the 45-70 with the minimum cost and equipment. My main reason for loading would be saving some money as I'd like to be able to shoot a few times a month, as well as coming up with something that would rattle the brains of some sirloin on legs at 175-200 yds.


Thanks very much in advance fellas, stef
 
just get one of them "packages" the major reloading companies sell and a good beam balance and book-that and a set of dies if they're not included in the kit- since you're already loading shotshell , the main diff is the way you measure the powder- lee does sell a set of scoops, but most of us weigh our charges for safety- heck, you're already halfway home as far as the theory goes
 
Stefan said:
I'm more or less a total newbie when it comes to handloading.
Click to expand...
the 45-70 is a very dangerous cartridge for the beginner to play with ... do you have any other calibers you would be able to learn on.
re: the 45-70 it`s quite possible to "blow up" your gun, with the wrong load, unless you have a new Marlin etc.
 
If you don't already have the reloading equip. get a rockchucker kit from RCBS....$229 from Midsouth in the US, and a set of dies from the same folks. Buy some factory ammo first, shoot it, and save the empties, study the Speer reloading manual supplied with the kit, later you can try some cast bullets and heavier loads if necessary, cast bullets avail. here in Canada from MT Chambers Supply. The kit mentioned above has just about everything you need, and is of very good quality, Lee makes a kit as well but, it is not of the same quality, remember you are looking at the quality of not just the press but, the scale, the powder measure, hand primer, etc.
 
I also like the RCBS Rockchucker kit. Comes with all the basic tools (except dies) that you'll need to get started. You could also pick up a reloading manual (not the Speer one... it comes with the RCBS kit) before hand and learn all the basic steps. It's a good idea to have more than one manual so that you can cross reference the data.
 
Vic777 said:
the 45-70 is a very dangerous cartridge for the beginner to play with ... do you have any other calibers you would be able to learn on.
re: the 45-70 it`s quite possible to "blow up" your gun, with the wrong load, unless you have a new Marlin etc.
Click to expand...

What? The 45-70 is possibly THE easiest cartridge to load for, and there's a ton of load data available for it in a multitude of different power levels. Just don't get too ambitious, stick to the appropriate published load, and you should be fine. Don't subtitute load data for cast/jacketed bullets, stick to the published guidelines, and you're fine. Be aware that there are a lot of totally whacked out loads published on teh interweb, so stick with printed loads in reputable manuals.

Most 45-70's are overbuilt, which is WHY we have multiple levels of data in the first place. So again, stick to a load appropriate for you're rifle, and you'll live a long life
 
second to prospers opinion. Nothing inherently dangerous in the 45-70.
Vic777 might have gotten nervous by the 200 yd comment which might imply a desire to create a flat shooting cartridge in an unknown action.

Just follow the rules and respect the published load data and you will be cartwheeling game to your hearts content.

A LEE anniversary kit will fill all your needs.
 
In realistic CDN $ terms, it's easy to drop $500-$600 or more on quality
but otherwise basic stuff to initially get set up for rifle (not including components).

The same for shotgun can be done for under $ 200.
 
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