It's short to be able to use the gummy tip bullets and keep the OAL workable.

 

Exactly this...

 

Shortened 45-70 Hornady brass for FTX ammo. Contradictory feedback in this link, some say (non-FTX ammo) brass is shorter others standard length: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102137989?pid=771567

Thought Hornady 450 Marlin brass I purchased would be short but it's standard length.

 

I thought, they shortened it to use the gummy tips, and,
still fit the full number of cartridges in the mag tube.

Oh well, maybe half wrong is better than all wrong.

 

That and to allow the cartridges to feed and eject without being fired... An FTX bullet crimped into the groove in the longer case will not likely fit through the ejection port...

 

Just don't use Hornady brass. I stay away from the stuff

 

As I own a boatload of Starline .45-70 brass, I'm inclined to agree with you. BUT does this mean I cannot ever use Flex-tip bullets with my Starline? I'm confused now. I haven't used it yet, but I think the LeverEvolution cartridges are an excellent innovation and help to keep lever guns alive and progressing in the 21st Century. BUT....there's that BUT again...if the 325 FTX and/or "LeverEvolution" cartridges will only work with shortened PROPRIETARY brass...that is a game changer (and not in the good sense).

 

I seem to remember trimming my brass to 2.095, what is the length of the Hornady brass?

 

Its too short to crimp in a regular die, or even the Lee factory crimp die.

When I first got my 45-70, I got some gummy tip ammo which is all I could get locally - at a King's Ransom price!!! (Convinced me that the only rational approach to this was to reload, which I really had intended to do from the start, since I have been reloading for other calibers for years). I just didn't have the dies yet.

Also another shooter gave me some Hornady brass.

When I did proceed to reload, I couldn't crimp any of the Brass I had!! Max trim length is listed as 2.105, and Hornaday is 2.040

I was given a LOT of old unfired WW brass that measures 2.095, and that works fine.

I discovered later that I can crimp the Hornaday brass using an old Lee Loader and the "bash with a mallet to crimp" approach.

Anyway, I am having a little trouble understanding why the Hornaday engineers couldn't have moved the channelure up a little further on the gummy tip bullet (like .055) if the overall cartridge length was a problem, so they could stay with standard length brass. Easier to shorten brass than to retool for different bullets I guess.

 

I just went to the shop and measured my Hornady .45-70 brass; measures out as standard. Other than what has been suggested about the gummy tips, I wouldn't begin to know why yours are a touch short. I think it is safe to shoot though.

 

I just went to the shop and measured my Hornady .45-70 brass; measures out as standard...

Hornady 45-70 LeverEvolution FTX ammo brass is short (tried it, kept fired cases). Their reloading brass is standard length as mentioned -
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102137989

Got 458 325gr FTX bullets. Bit higher ballistic coefficient 0.23 compared to RN or FN bullets 0.19 to 0.21. Earlier production has 2 cannelures. Lower one for loading 458 WM for example. Tried 325gr FTX in 45-70 Ruger No.1. Strong action near maximum load just under 2400 fps muzzle speed.

 

Starline makes terrific 45/70 brass.

Just thought I'd mention it.

 

I bought quite a bunch of it and that is all I use. Great brass.

 

They use it to load the 265 grain FTX bullet, which if loaded in standard length brass, the OAL would be to long and will not work through the action. The FTX bullet is longer than, what was their standard 265 grain flat point bullet, which they don't even make anymore, is what I had heard. I don't use it as I have the 1:38 inch twist on my 444. The box on loaded ammunition even states, for 1:20 inch rifling, or something like that. But that is why the brass is short.

 

Hmmm. I haven't ever tried that Hornady flex-tip ammo. I think I'll buy a box and see how it shoots from my rifle. Maybe I'll like it?

I've tended to load 350 gr jacketed soft point bullets, or 405-425 gr cast lead bullets for my 45-70 Marlin.

Guy

 

The 30-30 and 35 brass from Hornady is full length

 

So is the FTX 32 Win SPL if you can find any.............

 

My answer was to find some used RCBS Dyes and make a set of dedicated 45/70 Dies. I put some Hornady Red paint on them.
I like the HORNADY CASES, so I'm set when I load their cases.

 

Side note: loading 325gr FTX for my 450 Marlin BLR. Hornady 450 Marlin reloading brass is standard length. OAL is too long magazine holds just 1 round. Chambers fine.

Need shorty brass 450 Marlin LeverEvolution FTX ammo to make full use of 3 round magazine.

 

I have used Hornady 444 Ammo/Brass long before the dreaded "Hornady Leverevolution ammo" came onto the market.

Over the years, I have come to believe Hornady 444 brass to be just as good as any of the other two I have used. I have even cut the short cases down to make 45 Colt snake shot loads, reloaded multiple times, without any failures. In fact, I did that with all the culled short cases, I had acquired.

I believe the simplest solution is, just don't buy Hornady Leverevolution ammo/brass,...
there is an equal (if not more) amount of full length Hornady brass/ammo to be had,... end of problem.

 

I only use short Hndy brass for longer nosed bullets, usually cast bullets in marlins but have also used 300g xtp mag in the short 45 colt case where it cycles fine in my own 45 levergun.

FTX ammo is used for under 150 yards here, in 4570, think it is somewhat of a thin jacket.

 

I think this is an apples and oranges issue. If you purchase 45-70 Hornady brass it is a standard 45-70 case and actually nice to work with and holds up well. The Hornady FTX ammo has a shortened case that is specifically for the trim length of 2.040 (Normal is 2.095) for the FTX 250 and 325 grain bullet. If you purchase FTX gummy tips any case you use will need to be trimmed short to enable the OAL to be correct and seat the bullet correctly.

So Hornady brass is fine, any brass, Hornady, Starline, Winchester etc. that has been loaded to accept the FTX bullets is short. It is an absolute pain for reloaders if you aren't careful in checking case length so the solution is either don't use FTX ammo or bullets or only use FTX ammo and bullets.

I vote for the "Don't".

 

I use Hornady short brass with 405 gr cast bullets & it's fine.
However, only Hornady dies will work. Also, my 45-70 is a break action single shot so OAL isn't as critical.
Not sure if the OAL difference will matter in a levergun.
GH1😀