HEAD0001

Throw the bad case away.

As stated earlier, I prefer the taper crimp. Case legth is definitely less critical when you taper crimp. Also IMO a roll crimp over works the brass, which again IMO leads to weakening the brass, and the need for more trimming. I also think the taper crimp is easier to master, and less critical if you do not have your length set exactly(less damage to bullet and case).

The main problem with a shorter OAL is you will have a larger jump to the lands. Lead bullets will tend to deform more than jacketed, so the longer jump could cause accuracy to suffer. Notice I said "could".

BC has given you good advice here. He and I differ only on the type of crimp we like. And I will admit that if I shot very heavy loads in my 45-70 I might consider a roll crimp. But I keep my 45-70's around1500-1600 fps, which is not a heavy load. Tom.

statjunk

Tom,

I'm going to get an OAL on this thing and post it up here tonight.

Thanks

Tom

statjunk

The average length of the cartridges is 2.51" so only about .04" off the max.

Tom

statjunk

I shot the .45-70 this past weekend. It shoots amazing! It was really cold this past weekend and it kept the barrel nice and cool. At 50 yards I was able to cover my shots with one bullet. I ended pulling one in the last group I shot. Excluding that one the gun shoots touching at 50 yards.

I only shot one two shot group as the day was winding down at 100 yards. The two shots at 100 yards were about 3/4" apart. This was with the 425gr bullets. I ran out of the 300gr's sighting in and just getting used to her.

Needless to say I'm very happy with that kind of accuracy. Also I didn't think that the rifle was all that bad on recoil though I did hit myself twice with the scope. You just have to make certain that the rifle is tucked in tight as she pushes more than cracks your shoulder. I think I could easily shoot her 40 times at a range sitting with no real flintching problems.

Questions:

How would you recommend I clean the barrel given these are lead cast bullets? Same technique and materials as when shooting copper coated bullets?

Thanks

Tom

statjunk

Anyone?

Tom

johnny2

I would say pretty much the same way,you always do...I uaually
stick an old sock in the action to keep crap out of there..Sounds
like your getting around pretty good with the rifle and loads now..
Kind of wish I had kept my lever gun in 45-70...Well,good luck..

statjunk

Last night I loaded up another 25 rounds in 45-70. Things went a lot smoother this time and I was done in just over an hour.

I put a caliper on the brass and the brass was exactly the same size as the original brass. Is this common?

In the 300 gr bullet I used 51gr of IMR 3031 and with the 425gr bullet I used 40 gr of IMR 3031.

Does this mean I can expect a lot of loadings out of this reload recipie? If the neck gets weak from the roll crimping can I just lengthen the brass and cut the neck off?

Could someone provide me with the max loads of IMR 3031 for the 300 gr and the 425 gr lead gas checked bullet?

Thanks

Tom

bigcountry

I wouldn't go over 54gr with 435, and you can't go over (I couldn't) 60gr with 300gr. It was way too compressed but no pressure signs. Stay below those.

statjunk

Wow I'm way under on those 425 gr tips.

So are you not surprised that the brass didsn't stretch because of how under loaded they are?

What about the crimping? Is it going to cause the brass life to go down? If so can I stretch the brass and trim the crimps off? Does this question even make sense?

Thanks

Tom

P.S. I need a chronograph!

bigcountry

Crimping does lower brass life, but not by much. You still should get 5-8 loads outof it.

Your loads are fairly weak. Pump that up to 58gr of 3031 with 300gr bullet, and might see some action.