Reloading .45-70

[FCOD]

Good afternoon,

I currently load for a number of rifle cartridges and have finally decided to add .45-70 to my list of reloading calibers. A lot of the brass I have is the Hornady Leverevolution which as most might know is shorter than regular brass to accommodate their ballistic tip bullets. Can I load my JSP and JHP rounds into this brass, or is it really meant strictly for ballistic tip bullets? I have a lot of factory Winchester and Federal ammo, so if I have to toss the Leverevolution brass and just stick to the regular sized stuff, it's not a huge loss. Thought I'd ask before making a decision.

I haven't purchased dies yet and all my other dies are RCBS, so will I be okay with RCBS dies for this as well? It'll be my first straight wall cartridge I load for.

Anyone have any favorite recipes? I have 300 grain JHP and 400 grain JSP bullets that I've been hanging onto.

[rm1911]

[FCOD]

[JagerDog]

No personal experience with the Hornady brass, but I know folks reload the rubber tipped bullets which specify the shorter brass. Bullet seating crimp dies don't register off the shell holder. I doubt there's a problem.

[RiskyBusiness]

Have ran varget, 3031 and unique for a 400gr (plated/pc). Varget needs to be above 50grs otherwise you'll be left with unburnt kernals leaving impressions on your brass and some kernals left behind in the barrel and in your action. It's a hell of a kicker so far the heaviest hitter i have. Now working with 3031 and im really liking the accuracy and mild kick around 40grs, gonna try to push up to 46gr this weekend so i'll let you know. Unique 12grs is cute... thats all that can be said.

[saki302]

I mostly use 4895 and 4198.

The 4198 burns cleaner- I do use filler for light trapdoor loads (part of a cotton ball over 30gr powder).
4895 tends to leave a bunch of unburnt crap in the lighter loadings. Loaded hotter, it works fine. Better for high pressure bottleneck cases IMO.

-Dave

[rm1911]

Unique 12grs is cute... thats all that can be said.

[RiskyBusiness]

Definitely the most versatile powder ive come across. I use it in my 9mm 45,44,357 and yes the 45-70. It's so convenient to stock up on just one particular powder for almost all your loading needs.