Newbie here. Greetings to all.

I'm thinking about picking up a 45-70 at the next gun show and I'm curious about reloading. Is the process the same as loading, say, 44 mag (which I do)? I know the powder, primer, bullet, etc are completely different. But I'm curious about the process. Is essential it the same as reloading straight-wall revolver shells?

Welcome to the forum Chas. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

As for your question yes. The 45-70 will use a three die loading set just like your 44 pistol.

There is a pretty good article on the beartooth site. 45-70 start to finish (www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49)

The only key difference between reloading a .45-70 and a .44 Magnum is lube, case lube is not required for sizing with a Carbide pistol die, but the .45-70 is only available in steel dies.
Andy

I always lube as my 44 dies are old and are not carbide, just steel so no real change there.

Another question just came to mind. Is full length resizing of 45-70 always recommended?

I rarely full length resize my brass,even though I load 3 different rifles.
They are all single shots and not fussy about what I feed them.
A lever gun is a different animal,alltogether,and MAY need full length resized cases.
Frank

Welcome to the board, Chas.

I presently load for an old Springfield Trapdoor 45-70, and used to have a Marlin 1895 LTD1. Neither were full length sized after being chamber fire formed. Just sized down to where the bullet seated to assure good neck tension. The tube feeder got the roll crimp in the cannalure, but the trapdoor remains uncrimped.

Enjoy your shooting! You'll find a 405 gr bullet has quite a shoulder punch if loaded to full bore! :eek:

I have found that an aggressive crimp is important. When I first started loading I was getting imcomplete burning and sometimes even had significant residue in the barrel of my Marlin 1895. I solved that problem with an aggressive crimp. I also found that I can get remarkable accuracy by putting a pinch of dycron on top of the powder charge to fill up the case before seating the bullet. I prefer cast it this rifle but jacketed Sierras work very well too but are a bit more expensive. Just be careful about load selection...My son has a Sharps replica and it will not tolerate as heavy a load as my Marlin.

Try the following site,

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49

Cheers

Mark

Well, a seemingly simple, short process has turned into a long one. I reloaded 50 cases with 405gr cast over 25 gr. 2400 powder. After some serious internet reading and swapping emails with Tech Support at Alliant Powder, I decided that this is not the best load. In fact, such a little bit of powder in such a large case has even been dangerous in some situations.

So, being new to 45-70, I got cold feet. I unloaded all 50, disposed of the powder remnants, and preped the cases for another load. This time I'll probably use H4198 or some powder close to that. Anyway, it has been good experience in reloading 45-70, even if I didn't get to shoot them.

I'll reserve the 2400 for my 44mag.

Thanks to all for their responses.