.45-70 Reloading?

Guys I am considering a .45-70 Gov’t single-shot Sharp’s rifle and want to take up reloading and casting bullets for that cartridge.

Now I don’t reload anything else or have plans to, so want to keep the setup as low-cost and simple as possible. I don’t want to have to invest in a multi-stage max-capacity reloading stand to make only a few dozen rounds per week. Buying factory ammo is out of the question, it is prodigiously expensive for that caliber.

I have never reloaded a round of ammo in my life but have read about reloading for years and understand most things about it.

So guys, I am looking for the most basic, simple, and low startup cost to reloading .45-70. High output is not needed, I’d only be shooting maybe 50 rounds per month. Are there lee-loaders or other simple hand presses for this rounds?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated from the reloaders here. Thanks in advance, guys!

Watch ebay and you will find most of the reloading equipment you will ever need comes up for sale often. I have a couple of old RCBS Rock Chucker presses and use them for 45-90. They are built like a tank and will handle larger calibers with ease. New, they are $175 if you can find the older model and near $200 for the new RC Supreme replacement. The only additions for the press will be a large primer arm and a primer catcher tray. That will keep your primers from falling all over the floor and will set the new primer in each case in a most cost effective manner.

You will need the brass, powder, Large Rifle Primers, bullets, powder scale, and of course a die set. You need a loading block with large enough holes in it to fit the large based 45-70, but you can make one with a wood block and drill bit. You will need case lube since rifle dies are steel not carbide. I think this is everything you need to start out loading one caliber. I would highly recommended that you have a micrometer to measure the OAL, but you may already own one. Get your shopping list together and compare items on ebay to MidwayUSA, etc. to find the best prices.

Thank you! Can the rock checker be clamped to an ordinary table? I rent, so having a dedicated work bench is not easy.

Cost wise, I'd pick up a Lee single-stage prese and dies. Attach the press to a thick piece of plywood and then clamp it to a counter. That's what I do for all my reloading.

Are you going with black powder or smokeless?

If your goal is only 50 rounds a month, it might be a lot easier just to order cast bullets for a while until you're sure you want to invest in the cost of casting equipment. Sometimes folks find out they don't like reloading or casting. A box of 500 would last you a long time and can be had for $50-$60 if you shop around.

There are ways...

JayFramer said:

Thank you! Can the rock checker be clamped to an ordinary table? I rent, so having a dedicated work bench is not easy.

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You can mount it to a board with the bolts countersunk, then clamp that to the table or any number of tricks.

If you want you can make a small but heavy table with a thick top, at least 3/4", 1" is better.

I have a small folding work bench from Sears (Work Mate?)
I use it for small jobs that require 10-20 minutes with a single stage press.
Just pre-drill holes. Keep nuts and bolts on press frame when not in use.
If you set your cases up in batches, you can get a lot done in 10-20 minutes. Next time you can work, you'll get more done.
While the small hand press will work, you have to be Charles Atlas to use it on that large a case.

Actually , the most basic reloading kit for the 45-70 is the Lee Loader Kit , for about $40 . There is a video with a guy using one loading that exact cartridge . I would have no qualms using one as I started years ago using their kits for 38 special , 44 special and then 45 Colt . They do a fine job , take practically no space . It fits in a drawer when you're through . I have always thought about getting into 45-70 and I have already bought the LEE loader kit when I do . Just go to youtube . It's a great way to learn the basics of reloading . Whatever you choose , good luck , Regards, Paul

I use a lee loader for lots of different calibers. I would suggest you get a scale and a pair of calipers. If you go the casting route, Lee alox is more than sufficient lube for 45-70. And lee molds drop almost perfect as cast. .I've only had one that was oversized. You will want a plastic or rubber headed hammer for the lee loader. If this is the route you go, all your supplies will fit in a 50 cal ammo can.
Hope this helps.

A scale is a nice addition , but then you need a powder measure . The LEE scale is what I used for years , but it has a few quirks that you need to understand .
The LEE loader kit comes with a scoop and load data for different bullet weights and the powders that work with the scoop that comes with the kit .I would suggest keeping it real simple and budget minded till you see if you even like to reload . I would suggest a tin of Imperial Sizing Wax to resize the case . Whether you go with the LEE kit or a more expensive option . You will get lots of opinions , good luck . Regards, Paul

Lots of good advice above. If you choose to go with a Lee Loader be sure to thoroughly lube the cases. (Good practice with any system, doubly so with the hand tools) If you are in a rental situation all that pounding could make you an unpopular neighbor. I've loaded .45-70 with black powder, smokeless and the BP substitutes for over 30 years. It is a fun and easy cartridge to learn on.

But first, if you haven't already, pick up a reloading manual. Good reading. The Lyman is a gem, especially for old cartridges like the .45-70.

You wont be shooting it a ton, so a cheap lee hand press will do. If you want to cast on the cheap, a lee dbl cav mold, dipper & cheap lee 10# pot.

Thanks so much, all!

Yes either a Lee Loader or Hand Press are more what I am lookimg for. Something cheap and small and simple.

Between those two, which one do you guys think would be better?

I started with the Lee loader.The ''whack a mole''motion might suggest that it is kids stuff but I can vouch for the fact that it will get you very good quality ammo for the smallest investment.While the Lee handpress is also very good,with the loader,you don't have to buy dies.I think I got it that at 50rds/month,you'd keep the investment down.
For casting,again Mr Lee comes to the rescue.A 10#bottom pour pot along with one of his alu mould will get you in business.Add a bottle of Lee(again)liquid alox to lubricate the little pebbles that'll come out of the mould and you are in business;no need to size.
May I suggest his 350gr rfn bullet.Along with 12.0gr of Unique(Ed Harris suggestion...and it works)you should get under 2'' at 100 yds.That's what I get from my Pedersoli Billy Dixon Sharps.
Have fun!

Although I love my Dillon 650, I use a Rock Chucker to reload the 45-70. Not that my Dillon can't do it, but there is so much powder in the 45-70 I like to hand-make each load. since I only shoot a hundred or so rounds of 45-70 a year, the slower process doesn't matter to me.

At the time I purchased the RCBS R/C my main press was a Dillon Square Deal B and it was not capable in reloading the 45-70. Had I owned the 650 at that time, I would have just purchased the Die set for the 45-70 and used the 650, but since I already own the R/C I use it. I actually prefer going very slow and deliberate with the 45-70 anyway.

See if you can find an old Lyman 310 tong tool with .45-70 dies. It is the type of tool used to reload the old BP big bores in the 19th century. I still have one, and that is what I used to load my first .45-70 rounds many years ago. And still do occasionally. Check eBay.

YouTube

I wouldn't mess with Lee Loader, get cheap single stage press, dies and a scale. You can do without a powder measure. You might look into one of
the starter kits.

Qc Pistolero said:

I started with the Lee loader.The ''whack a mole''motion might suggest that it is kids stuff but I can vouch for the fact that it will get you very good quality ammo for the smallest investment.While the Lee handpress is also very good,with the loader,you don't have to buy dies.I think I got it that at 50rds/month,you'd keep the investment down.
For casting,again Mr Lee comes to the rescue.A 10#bottom pour pot along with one of his alu mould will get you in business.Add a bottle of Lee(again)liquid alox to lubricate the little pebbles that'll come out of the mould and you are in business;no need to size.
May I suggest his 350gr rfn bullet.Along with 12.0gr of Unique(Ed Harris suggestion...and it works)you should get under 2'' at 100 yds.That's what I get from my Pedersoli Billy Dixon Sharps.
Have fun!

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That sounds super! Can the Lee loader be used with black powder? I want to try both smokeless and black powder loads since I have other black powder guns and plenty of BP.

I started out loading 9 mm with a Lee Loader in 1973. The hammering noise is a problem in most multiple unit apartment buildings. Also, compared to a bench mounted single stage press Lee Loaders are a PITA. I quickly moved on to a Rock Chucker. In hind sight the smartest route is to start with a used single stage press. I often see used single stage presses that are not well known models for around $35. Just be sure you buy one that takes standard shell holders. Some very old ones did not have separate shell holders. You had to buy a ram that fit each case head size. Hand held priming tools like Lee's are nicer to use than the priming systems attached to most presses so it's not important if those parts are missing from a used press. However, you do need a spent primer catcher. Initially I mounted my press with C clamps. I never got around to bolting the press to a board and C clamping the board. I used pieces of wood between the C clamp and the press and bottom of my desk until I found a very sturdy old used desk that I could drill through.

Spend the additional money a new press would have cost on a powder scale. With practice home made dippers or Lee's dippers are as accurate as a powder measure so a measure does not have to be a high priority. The weight a measure or dipper is throwing has to be learned with a scale.

I loved Imperial resizing wax until I learned that Chapstick lip balm works just as well without getting a finger tip sticky. Either wipe off easily with a rag. RCBS's old resizing goo was a PIA to wipe off. Lee's water soluble resizing lube is great for large batches of brass but Chapstick is preferable for reloading smaller numbers of cases.

Good calipers will measure both cartridge over all length and your bullets' diameter. Fortunately when I started I already had dial calipers for work.

I cast bullets for decades before buying an electric melting pot. I used cast iron pots from garage sales on white gas camping stoves outside and kitchen electric and gas stoves. Sometimes I set up the white gas stove inside a widow with a square box fan sucking air out across the pot. My favorite iron pot held 40 pounds so it was faster than a 10 pound Lee bottom pour electric pot. Commercially made lead dippers that have a pouring spout sticking out of the side are well worth their price. A lead thermometer and a lubricator sizer press are higher priority than an electric pot but you can cast your first bullets without either.

I can not imagine starting without Lyman's reloading and casting manual but when I started not only did I not have the internet, I did not know anyone who reloaded.

I hope that you find something in this long reply helpful. Have fun.

JayFramer said:

That sounds super! Can the Lee loader be used with black powder? I want to try both smokeless and black powder loads since I have other black powder guns and plenty of BP.

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Yes, black powder, smokeless, duplex...no problem!
The Lee Loaders are lots of fun. If you are organized, and do each step on all your brass, it goes pretty quickly. I have a Dillon 650, and RCBS single stage. But, if you're doing things like checking your brass OAL every loading, cleaning primer pockets and washing black powder residue out of your empties, the Lee Loader won't slow you down appreciably. Plus, you can take it to the range and load there as you go, working out loads on the spot.

I would also recommend the Lee Powder Dipper kit. For black powder they are GREAT!! A handheld Lee autoprime tool will speed up priming and improve accuracy by giving you better control of primer depth.

One special note on the Lee Loader: The sizer die is designed to minimally resize brass, with the intent that you use the same brass in only one gun. This is a big aid to accuracy, especially with cast bullets.

Regards,
Jim

I second the notion of the Lyman 310. I use them to reload most of my rifle cartridges. The only rifle cartridge I reload on a press is the Hornet. The 45-70 is easily handled with the 310.

Kevin