Well boy and girls -- There has been some discussion lately, mostly directed at reloading the 45-70 cartridge, complete with bulges and crimp issues. I thought I’d offer up a few ideas on getting to the point where one needed to apply the crimp. I’ve been using the RCBS Cowboy dies and I think they do a great job. Here is how they play with a 405 grain Laser-Cast bullets sized to .459”. The brass in the pictures has been fired at least 10 times.
A full length size gets everything back where it’s supposed to be. Worrying about wearing out a case mouth is a waste of time. It will wear out eventually. With at least twenty loadings within reason, one or two more or less isn’t worth sweating. It’s the price of doing business.
A proper bell and flare will probably do more to extend case life than partial sizing. It also establishes the case neck tension holding the bullet. A proper flare will allow the bullet to enter the case neck to about the first lube groove on these 405 grain bullets. You can see the light reflective lines on the first case, sized only. The second case shows the edge of the case mouth flared. You can’t see or feel the bell if done correctly.
The second picture shows the bullet, the bullet sitting on a case that is sized only, and the bullet in a case sized, belled and flared.
And finally we have the bullet seated and crimped. Notice on all these cases the reflective lines are straight, except at the case mouth of the flared case. Also notice the case with the seated bullets has no bulging.
I’d like to suggest that doing a complete operation on reloading, from sizing to crimping will produce quality ammunition and eliminate many aggravating problems with feeding and chambering. It may also increase accuracy. Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind (I’m not on the RCBS payroll and no blue poly tarps were harmed filming this blurb.)
A full length size gets everything back where it’s supposed to be. Worrying about wearing out a case mouth is a waste of time. It will wear out eventually. With at least twenty loadings within reason, one or two more or less isn’t worth sweating. It’s the price of doing business.
A proper bell and flare will probably do more to extend case life than partial sizing. It also establishes the case neck tension holding the bullet. A proper flare will allow the bullet to enter the case neck to about the first lube groove on these 405 grain bullets. You can see the light reflective lines on the first case, sized only. The second case shows the edge of the case mouth flared. You can’t see or feel the bell if done correctly.
The second picture shows the bullet, the bullet sitting on a case that is sized only, and the bullet in a case sized, belled and flared.
And finally we have the bullet seated and crimped. Notice on all these cases the reflective lines are straight, except at the case mouth of the flared case. Also notice the case with the seated bullets has no bulging.
I’d like to suggest that doing a complete operation on reloading, from sizing to crimping will produce quality ammunition and eliminate many aggravating problems with feeding and chambering. It may also increase accuracy. Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind (I’m not on the RCBS payroll and no blue poly tarps were harmed filming this blurb.)
