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Hello all:
I have recently dug-out my old reloading gear after about 15 years of reloading inactivity. I am currently working through reloading my inventory of a couple thousand rifle and pistol expended rounds, and am once again having a lot of fun doing it.
I am now contemplating (hell, I am going to buy it tomorrow!) the purchase of a Pedersoli Sharps rifle (32" or 34" barrell length) in .45-70 caliber. So I am looking into what I will be needing for reloading the .45-70 brass. I have a few questions and would appreciate any and all advice on this subject.
I have an older style RCBS single station press (JR?) that I bought back in the mid-1970's. Will this press be adequate for reloading this round?
My first thought is to use smokeless powder, mainly because I have no experience with black powder, or any of the modern alternatives for black powder. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this issue. Shooting some rounds loaded with black powder maybe something I would have fun with, but I am not sure if there are any draw-backs to that option versus smokeless powder.
I am currently loading other metallic cartridges with Unique, 2400, IMR-4064 and IMR-4198. I have read somewhere that 4064 (which I use in my .30-06 and .30-30 rounds) is not the best choice, and have read that IMR-3031 (which I used to use in the .30-30) or IMR-4198 (which I use in the .223) may be better choices.
I assume from reading my reloading manuals (Speer and Lyman) that I need to limit the pressure to 28,000 CUP.
My first thought is to use jacketed bullets (400 gr). I used to shoot thousands of swaged lead semi-wad-cutters in my .357 mag and .44 mag pistols (mainly beacuse of cost - I was pretty broke back then), but I have now gravitated to relaoding with all jacketed bullets. Are there benefits to shooting the .45-70 with commercially available lead bullets? I do not (at least not yet) want to get into casting my own lead bullets. Are there "better" quality lead bullets out there that would be recommended? Do you need to use gas-checks with lead bullets in this round?
I'd really like to hear from you on recommended load combinations of bullets/powders/primers for both lead and jacketed bullet options.
I look forward to receiving the benefit of the collective experience in this forum. This is going to be fun!
Thanks,
TXnorton
I have recently dug-out my old reloading gear after about 15 years of reloading inactivity. I am currently working through reloading my inventory of a couple thousand rifle and pistol expended rounds, and am once again having a lot of fun doing it.
I am now contemplating (hell, I am going to buy it tomorrow!) the purchase of a Pedersoli Sharps rifle (32" or 34" barrell length) in .45-70 caliber. So I am looking into what I will be needing for reloading the .45-70 brass. I have a few questions and would appreciate any and all advice on this subject.
I have an older style RCBS single station press (JR?) that I bought back in the mid-1970's. Will this press be adequate for reloading this round?
My first thought is to use smokeless powder, mainly because I have no experience with black powder, or any of the modern alternatives for black powder. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this issue. Shooting some rounds loaded with black powder maybe something I would have fun with, but I am not sure if there are any draw-backs to that option versus smokeless powder.
I am currently loading other metallic cartridges with Unique, 2400, IMR-4064 and IMR-4198. I have read somewhere that 4064 (which I use in my .30-06 and .30-30 rounds) is not the best choice, and have read that IMR-3031 (which I used to use in the .30-30) or IMR-4198 (which I use in the .223) may be better choices.
I assume from reading my reloading manuals (Speer and Lyman) that I need to limit the pressure to 28,000 CUP.
My first thought is to use jacketed bullets (400 gr). I used to shoot thousands of swaged lead semi-wad-cutters in my .357 mag and .44 mag pistols (mainly beacuse of cost - I was pretty broke back then), but I have now gravitated to relaoding with all jacketed bullets. Are there benefits to shooting the .45-70 with commercially available lead bullets? I do not (at least not yet) want to get into casting my own lead bullets. Are there "better" quality lead bullets out there that would be recommended? Do you need to use gas-checks with lead bullets in this round?
I'd really like to hear from you on recommended load combinations of bullets/powders/primers for both lead and jacketed bullet options.
I look forward to receiving the benefit of the collective experience in this forum. This is going to be fun!
Thanks,
TXnorton