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re: Reloading

Posted on 9/28/22 at 7:22 pm to
Posted by msap9020
Texas
Member since Feb 2015
1269 posts
Posted on 9/28/22 at 7:22 pm to
Fair enough - jumped in with the new RCBS rebel plus kit already though. Start with that and if its too tedious I can step it up.

The problem right now, as others have noted is I cant find rifle primers anywhere. Found the dies I need along w the brass and bullets. No primers to be found.

Any suggestions?
Posted by btrcj
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2019
622 posts
Posted on 9/28/22 at 7:26 pm to
Don't get me wrong, I love my 550B and hope I do not ever have to do without it but I also will never be without a single stage. One of mine stays on the bench with a Lee universal De-Capper in it but i also use it for case forming and other functions.

So not only does the single stage get you started at a reasonable price but will be of use down the road.
Posted by btrcj
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2019
622 posts
Posted on 9/28/22 at 7:35 pm to
Nice kit. It will server you well.


As a wise man said,

"Steal a mans wallet and he is broke for a week. Teach a man to shoot and reload and he is broke for life!"
Posted by DisplacedBuckeye
Member since Dec 2013
71598 posts
Posted on 9/28/22 at 7:36 pm to
quote:

Fair enough - jumped in with the new RCBS rebel plus kit already though. Start with that and if its too tedious I can step it up.


RCBS makes good stuff. You'll be happy with it...for now.

quote:

The problem right now, as others have noted is I cant find rifle primers anywhere. Found the dies I need along w the brass and bullets. No primers to be found.

Any suggestions?


In current times, your best bet is probably local shops. Make it a habit of stopping in once a week or so to see what they have. If you know them well, they might let you know when they have stock coming in.

When this all settles down, stock up so you can let everyone else compete for primers and powder.
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
16568 posts
Posted on 9/28/22 at 9:50 pm to
Primers are a supply issue, will be for a while I'm afraid. The ammunition industry simply doesn't have enough extra capacity to keep pace with demand for ammo from major manufacturers and only a few big companies make primers at all. 2020 and 2021 saw massive increases in firearms sales in the US, millions of more firearms means many millions more rounds of ammunition that were purchased. This year is definitely on a slower pace when looking at the NICS data, more than 7 million fewer checks to date vs last year.

Oh and speaking of primers, I also use the RCBS Hand Priming Tool, definitely worth the $50.
Posted by TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill, LA
Member since Sep 2008
6812 posts
Posted on 9/28/22 at 10:10 pm to
Lots of good advice so far. Obviously there will be a difference of opinions on some parts, but it'll be up to you to decide what works best for you. After handloading nearly 40 years, here are some suggestions:

Equipment needed to get started.
-*A press of some sort. I started w/ a Lee classic turret press and it's still my only press. It's a single stage, but the rotating turret can make faster than a single stage if needs to load large volumes. If you use the Lee turret press, I'd buy extra loading plates and red round storage cases.
-Dies: I've got dies from everyone except Lyman and Dillon. Redding dies are the nicest and most expensive. OTOH, I’ve developed very accurate loads w/ Lee dies (least expensive). You need a full length sizing die and bullet seating die for each caliber. I've never used a crimping die except on heavy 44 magnum loads. You might want to use neck sizing dies later, but not now. In addition, I wouldn't suggest starting out w/ dies that use different neck bushings or micrometer seating dies.
-*Lubricants, I prefer Imperial dry neck lube and Imperial case sizing wax
-I think Sierra is probably the single best loading manual. The Sierra loading app is really good, as well. Nosler, Hornady and Hodgdon are good manuals.
-Extra depriming pins. You'll need them some day at the most inopportune time. Don’t ask me how I know. Actually, I like to deprime separate step using a Lee decapping and depriming die.
-*Loading trays: If you know someone who works at a Dr's office or hospital lab, the styrofoam trays used to pack blood drawing tubes make great (and free) loading blocks.
-*Priming tools, my first one was a Lee hand priming tool I used it exclusively for 35 years until it broke. I didn't like the newer version but I do like the Lee Auto Bench Priming Too that I'm now using. Lee products are frequently said to be cheap, but I use a lot of their stuff. When my hand priming tool broke, I emailed them asking for a replacement part. Of course, there were no parts since the product had been discontinued for many years. Nevertheless, they let me buy the Auto Bench Priming Tool at 1/2 price.
-*Shell holders: You'll need them for the priming tool and your press. Might as well go ahead and buy both complete packs instead of buying them individually.
Something to weigh the charges. I'm still using my original RCBS scale, but the new electronic ones are really nice I've been told.
-*Brass chamfering and deburring tool.
-Case trimmer. Rotary lathe type trimmers work well, but I actually prefer the inexpensive Lee Case Length Gauge and Cutter. You’ll need a Case length gauge for each different cartridge. If you handload for a 20 caliber cartridge, you’ll need a similar tool made by Lyman.
-Powder trickler.
-Bullet puller
-Stuck case remover.
-Brass. If you don’t mind spending extra money for the best quality brass, look for Lapua and Peterson. Starline, Norma, Nosler and Hornady are also pretty good.
-Primers
-Bullets
-Powder. Once you find a powder you like and you expect to use frequently, I'd suggest buying a 5# or 8# can instead of 1#.

Optional equipment you may want later:
-A primer pocket uniformer can be used to clean the primer pocket as well as uniform it.
-Lee depriming and decapping die.
-Powder measure.
-Lee powder measure kit. The kit consists of 15 small scoops of differing volume.

*Tools frequently included in handloading kits.

Brownell's, Midsouth Shooters Supply and Natchez Shooters Supply are also a good sources for handloading tools, but they don't have frequent shipping deals like Midway does.
Posted by saintsfan1977
West Monroe, from Cajun country
Member since Jun 2010
7701 posts
Posted on 9/29/22 at 5:21 pm to
quote:

Lee products are frequently said to be cheap, but I use a lot of their stuff.


As do I and I've never had any problems with them. My perfect powder thrower threw IMR 4350 exactly the same charge 15 times in a row. I have pieces from every company but predominantly LEE because it works as well as the rest for less money. I have the Lee ergo hand primer and I love it. Consistent and easy to feel the primer seated.
Posted by msap9020
Texas
Member since Feb 2015
1269 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 8:10 pm to
Anyone have experience with large rifle magnum primers on 45-70 government? Down range with a Marlin 1895 lever. Cannot find large rifle primers anywhere.

Adjust powder load? A lot of conflicting information out there. Any advice is appreciated.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
24983 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 8:24 pm to
Definitely need to adjust your load. The 45-70 is a low pressure load. Modern guns will most likely handle any increase in pressure from using a mag primer but I’d probably drop you starting load by a grain and test.

Look for a flatten primer as a pressure sign.
Posted by msap9020
Texas
Member since Feb 2015
1269 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 8:25 pm to
BBvDD - not sure in fully understand your last statement. New to reloading.
This post was edited on 10/29/22 at 8:28 pm
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
24983 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 8:42 pm to
If a normal load takes 45 grains of powder with a regular large rifle primer, you should use large magnum primers with 44 grains of powder.

A tell-tell sign of pressure is building in a cartridge is looking at the primer after you fire it. If it’s flattened, you have pressure building.

A flat primer is not dangerous but you need to realize that you need to be careful with higher grains of powder.

A blown primer is a danger zone. Next step after blown primers is a blown up rifle.
This post was edited on 10/29/22 at 8:44 pm
Posted by Bigsampson
Fort Worth
Member since Apr 2017
381 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 8:56 pm to
First of all.
Do not blindly load 45 or 70 grains of smokeless powder into a 45-70 case and shoot it.
That number was purely with respect to black powder.
The 45 was for caliber and the 70 for grains of black powder. Be aware, there are different “powers” or burn rates for black powder.
For your Marlin, some people in bpcr use 777 very effectively. Load 777 to base of the bullet load bullet, or wax spacer and bullet. Empty space in a 47-70 or similar is your enemy.
I like 45-70 and 45-90. But my fav is 38-55. Basically a 30-30 case w a 38 cal ( really .375) bullet. I’ve used fire formed 30-30 cases for years in my target gun.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
24983 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 8:57 pm to
Yes, my 45 grains was just an example.

I don’t know the load data for a .45-70 with current powders.
Posted by Bigsampson
Fort Worth
Member since Apr 2017
381 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 9:03 pm to
The cool thing about 45-70 is you don’t need a bunch of “stuff”.
Deprimer and bullet seating die is about it.
45-70 isn’t high enough pressure to require trimming or any fancy brass manipulation.
Also, it’s fire formed to your gun. You don’t have to constantly resize your brass.
Clean your brass, remove primer, new primer, measure a volume of 777 or black powder, or a weight (per loading manuals) of smokeless, load bullet. Enjoy.
Bullets and brass are pretty easy to find on line.
If you go smokeless, will likely need hard lead or gas checked soft lead bullets.
Posted by TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill, LA
Member since Sep 2008
6812 posts
Posted on 10/30/22 at 12:29 am to
quote:

Anyone have experience with large rifle magnum primers on 45-70 government?

Man, I wish I lived close to you as I've got about 2000 Winchester large rifle primers; I'd be happy to sell some to you. If you're ever in the Tyler, TX or Jefferson, TX area, let me know.
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