45-75 Winchester?

[rocketsci]

So, I'm pretty new to reloading (as in, I just went to a local reloading clinic and finished my first 20 rounds of .308), but I'm already looking at reloading more.

As addictions go, this one hit pretty quick.

Anyway, 45-75.

My father-in-law has a nice Uberti 1876 in 45-75, but it's painful to shoot. Not the pain in the shoulder, it's the pain in the pocketbook. I've asked him to save his brass and promised to reload the rounds for him, and I want to make good on that promise.

So, is there anything special (besides dies, trimmer and the usual components) that I need to get for this round? I don't need to reload with BP (yet), so the brass powder drop tube, etc. are on hold for the moment.

Speaking of dies and trimmers, any suggestions? I noticed that the die sets include an expander die. My research seems to indicate that this is needed when using cast lead bullets. Is the correct?

Also, the brass is all coming from and going back into the same rifle. Can I use a neck expansion die for this, or is there a reason why full-length sizing is needed?

Thank you in advance!

['ol shooter]

Maybe 45-70? The brass can be a bit hard to find, and it is rather pricey. However, properly processed, you can reload many times safely, which mitigates the cost somewhat. i also shoot and reload .444 Marlin, and both are expensive rounds.

[mark501w]

Think of it as a large pistol cartridge. It's probably .45/70 you'll need to crimp for the tube mag . You can use a lot of different powders . I'am using IMR 4198 , you can use jacketed or cast. The .458 sized bullets are the proper diameter . Trimming ism 't usually needed unless you have trouble with a uniform crimp , you 'll want to F/L size.

[mark501w]

BP can be a real pain to clean up in a lever gun. It's like shooting salt in your gun.

[mark501w]

Lyman makes a nice die set for both cast & jacketed reloading . It's worth the dough.

[rocketsci]

Any links to the Lyman dies? I've only seen RCBS "cowboy" dies.

[gunboat]

I think you do indeed have a 45-75 mod 76 rifle --
the 45-75 was winchesters way of providing 45-70 ballistics in a shorter case.
the win 76 could not handle a longer case -- about 1.8" max.
think of the 45-75 as a 50/70 necked down or a 348 necked up --
cases are/were available from buffalo arms and a few others.
They can also be made from 348 winchester brass though they are no longer readily available either.
my tuppence..

[rocketsci]

I'll triple-check on Sunday (when I see him), but I'm confident it's a '76 in 45-75, with the bottleneck case.

[mark501w]

Bottleneck makes it a different game.

[gunboat]

Best you hope he has saved all the brass --
rcbs is probably best bet for dies --
As I recall there was/is some issues with italian chamber dimensions -
If the stock die does not work for your chamber rcbs will rework die to fit --
You can possibly just neck size your fired cases with a lyman 310 tool 45-70 MR die and 7/8-14 adapter --
Or, you could modify a standard 45-70 sizing die --
Trimming should not be an issue until the case has been reloaded a few times --
Dies, a lee bullet mould, powder and primers should make for a fun day at the range ---

['ol shooter]

Most die companies can make the die set for you, if you supply an accurate measurement. Good luck.

[rocketsci]

So, I managed to confirm that my FIL does indeed have the true 45-75 WCF. Most of the rounds he has are headstamped 45-75 Ten-X, the rest are resized 50-90.

So, at least I won't have to restart with 50-90 brass and resize down, or anything.

Looking into the cost of components, this looks like a great excus... Err, reason to get into casting. Before I jump into that, though, I'm thinking I should start a little simpler and just buy the first batch of cast bullets. Any suggestions on what to run? He currently has 350gn RNFP, I'd like to stay in that range (especially considering the round was originally designed for a 375 grain bullet, iirc). Brands, etc?

Thank you!

[CCrawford]

At least six reloading books in this index have info on the .45-75. Row 1357 down the left side, manuals in columns going to the right.

Hope this helps,
Criss

[winchester1]

Bottleneck makes it a different game.

Amen! I do not load rifle stuff at this time but I wouldn't attempt to load bottleneck cartridges without the specific dies. For one thing, the strain on the case is trememdous in the sizing operation and the brass needs all the support it can get. The other consideration is the crimp for magazine rifles. As noted by others, black powder loads will support the bullet and therefore, elliminate the need for a crimp. As also noted, cleaning a lever gun is a *****; consider a filler if loading with smokeless. I was very with cream of wheat. Good luck -

['ol shooter]

Trailboss could be a viable powder choice, made to be mild in large cases.