45-70 Government Reloading: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Experts
The .45-70 Government cartridge, a venerable round with a rich history, continues to be a popular choice for hunters, target shooters, and enthusiasts alike. Reloading your own .45-70 ammunition offers significant advantages, from cost savings to the ability to tailor loads to your specific needs. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the .45-70 reloading process, covering everything from essential equipment and components to safety procedures and load development.
I. Essential Equipment for 45-70 Reloading
- Reloading Press: A sturdy reloading press is crucial. Consider a single-stage press for beginners, offering precise control over each step. Progressive presses increase speed but require more experience and setup.
- Dies: A complete set of .45-70 dies includes a sizing die, a powder die, a bullet seating die, and a crimping die. Choose dies appropriate for your chosen bullet type.
- Powder Measure: Accurate powder dispensing is paramount for safety and consistency. A powder measure, either volumetric or gravimetric, will ensure precise powder charges every time.
- Case Prep Tools: Preparing brass cases is critical for consistent results. This involves cleaning, resizing, de-priming, and trimming. Tools like a case trimmer, chamfer tool, and deburring tool are indispensable.
- Scale: A digital scale is essential for accurately weighing powder charges. Gravimetric measuring is more precise than volumetric, especially with denser powders.
- Bullet Puller: Occasionally, you'll need to remove bullets from loaded cartridges. A bullet puller safely and efficiently accomplishes this task.
- Case Lubricant: Sizing .45-70 cases often requires lubrication to prevent case damage or sticking. Choose a lubricant compatible with your resizing die.
- Safety Gear: Always prioritize safety. Eye protection, hearing protection, and a well-ventilated reloading area are absolute necessities.
II. Components for 45-70 Reloading
- Brass Cases: Choose high-quality .45-70 brass cases for optimum performance and longevity. Proper case preparation is essential for consistency.
- Bullets: The .45-70 accommodates a wide range of bullet weights and styles, from round-nose to jacketed hollow points. Select bullets appropriate for your intended application. Consider factors like bullet weight, material, and construction.
- Powder: Several powders are suitable for the .45-70, each exhibiting different burn rates and characteristics. Research and select a powder recommended for your chosen bullet and desired velocity. Pay close attention to the manufacturer's data for safe load ranges.
- Primers: Use large rifle primers (LRPs) in your .45-70 cases. Ensure primers are compatible with your chosen powder and load data.
III. The Reloading Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Case Preparation: Clean, resize, deprime, and trim cases to uniform length. Remove any burrs or imperfections.
- Powder Charging: Accurately measure and dispense powder charges into each prepared case. Double-check the powder charge before seating the bullet.
- Bullet Seating: Carefully seat the bullets to the desired depth. Ensure proper bullet alignment and consistent seating depth for optimal accuracy.
- Crimping: Crimp the case mouth to securely hold the bullet in place. Over-crimping can damage the bullet or case, while under-crimping can lead to bullets separating from the case.
- Inspection: Thoroughly inspect each loaded round. Ensure no defects exist and that the powder charge and bullet seating are correct.
IV. Load Development and Safety
- Start Low, Go Slow: Always begin with the minimum charge recommended by the powder manufacturer. Gradually increase the charge in small increments, carefully monitoring pressure signs.
- Reference Load Data: Use only published load data from reputable sources such as the powder manufacturer's website. Never extrapolate or guess at load data.
- Pressure Signs: Be aware of pressure signs, such as flattened primers, excessive case head expansion, or unusually loud reports. Any indication of excessive pressure should cause you to immediately stop reloading and investigate.
- Consistent Techniques: Maintain consistency in your reloading process to achieve uniform loads and optimal accuracy.
V. Conclusion
Reloading your own .45-70 ammunition is a rewarding endeavor that offers numerous advantages. However, it requires attention to detail, adherence to safety protocols, and a commitment to responsible practice. By carefully following this guide and utilizing reliable load data, you can safely and effectively create precise, accurate ammunition tailored to your specific shooting needs. Remember to always prioritize safety and consult additional resources from experienced reloaders and reputable publications to further expand your knowledge and skills.
