Reloading 45/70 cases Question

capecod

April 02, 2003 01:57

I have a Lee Hand Press and sets of Lee Pacesetter Dies to reload all of the various calibers I shoot. My one and only big reloading problem is reloading 45/70 cases for my Marlin Rifle. As you know - these cases aren't cheap and it seems that everytime I try to load a bullet into the case - the case collapses and is totally ruined. I use lubricant and flare the case but so far I haven't been able to load one shootable round and have virtually given up trying to do so.
If you have any suggestions on what I can do to solve this problem or what I'm doing wrong - please let me know.
Thanks
John

Member NRA & GOA

Give Me A Home Where The Buffalo Roam - And I'll Show You A Filthy Living Room!

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  chuck

  April 02, 2003 05:16

  I would say that the BODY of your seating die is set to low, all so are your slugs the right Dia. 45acp slugs are differnt than 45-70 slugs. Good luck

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  joeaf1911a1

  April 02, 2003 08:44

  Had a problem like that also. Finally picked up a Lee factory crimp
  die and used the bullet seater only to seat and not crimp. Then
  crimped with the Leee factory crimp die. A extra step yes, but these
  cases are expensive. If the case colapses while just seating the
  slug this wont help you.

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  Sunray

  April 02, 2003 10:18

  Check their length. They may have stretched past the maximum. Easy fix, but you'll need a case trimmer.

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  MikeinScappoose

  April 02, 2003 13:28

  what about the geometery of the tool itself.Is the case just too long for the tool to be lined up square when the bullet starts in?
  I have't used one for a while,but it sounds like maybe too much case for a small-ish tool??

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  mazo kid

  April 04, 2003 13:51

  Long distance diagnosis....always difficult. 1)Are you starting the bullet into the case straight? 2)Is the diam. of the bullet correct (.458 or thereabouts)? 3)Is the neck sizer in the die the right diam?
  4)Are you using cast or jacketed bullets? It sounds to me like the bullets are too large , or the neck too small, to load, especially since you are belling the case neck. Also, Winchester or Remington cases? Win. are thinner cases and might be part of the problem. I load cast .458 bullets into Win. cases with no problem, albeit using a bench loading press. Hope you get shooting soon. Let us know what you find. Emery
  
  "Well done is better than well said"
  Ben Franklin

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  capecod

  April 05, 2003 04:18

  Thanks guys for all the advice - I really appreciate it. Like I said in my post, I'm using a Lee Handloader Press with Pacesetter Dies. The cases are new - I'm not sure what brand and never fired. The bullets are .458 jacketed - 300 grain.I'll print out the advice you've given me and try again. Perhaps I screwed up when I put the dies in so I'll start from scratch.
  I'll let you know how it turns out and thanks again...
  John
  
  Member NRA & GOA
  
  For All The Fallen Heroes And All The Forgotten Victims
  (Christopher Hyde)

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  joeaf1911a1

  April 05, 2003 06:50

  First, even on a new case be sure to debur the case at least internally. Adjust your seating die to seat slug to proper depth
  (to cantalure hopefully for L.O.A.) without it crimping yet. If this
  work, trouble may be the crimping stage and needs adjustment, as
  crimping and seating both are done by this die and if you crimp too
  soon, prior to a correct L.O.A. it will "crunch" the case every time.

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  capecod

  April 05, 2003 08:47

  Thanks Joe - I plan to take a very close look at how I have the dies set.
  John
  
  Member NRA & GOA
  
  For All The Fallen Heroes And All The Forgotten Victims
  (Christopher Hyde)

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