Federal 45/70 cases

[bruce moulds]

jut reloaded federal cases obtained by firing federal 45/70 factory ammo.
I was not altogether comfortable with the lack of tightness of primer pockets on new Winchester large rifle primers.
I also felt the neck expander went into the cases more easily, and that bullet seating took very little force.
you could see the bulge in the case where the bottom of the bullet is, suggesting what should be significant neck tension.
lucky these rounds are crimped.
all the above suggests that the brass cases are actually soft.
if factory 45/70 loads have expanded primer pockets, this does not bode well!
can anyone comment on federal 45/70 factory ammo brass hardness from experience.?
bruce.

 

[Shootist43]

Bruce, in general I think Federal Brass is considered to be on the lower end of the desirability scale for reloaders.
A number of years ago I started purchasing Norma Brass for all of my larger bore rifles. I've read that Norma Brass is made by Lapua. From time to time there have been some very good sales (at discounted prices) of Norma Brass while I not seen similar sales for Lapua. Could be that I just wasn't looking for brass at the right time or distributor. I will have to say however that I have found the primer pockets in Norma brass to be exceedingly tight.

 

[CTDolan]

I cannot speak as to hardness but I have heard that the lever revolution cases are a bit short.

For 45-70 I'd buy Starline brass. It's easily the best out there.

 

[tarbe]

Another vote for Starline!

45 years with the 45/70 and I only buy Starline now.

Save yourself the trouble and buy a 250 piece bag of Starline and give all your other brass away.

Tum

 

[Jeff 907]

I have never used Federal only Barnes and Hornady in my .45-70 but I’d does seem like soft brass. I have reloaded Norma with no issues. Since the Hornady leverevolution uses soft pointed bullets the brass is just short. It’s good for reloading Hornady bullets only.

 

[CTDolan]

Hornady...thank you for the clarification. Had the wrong manufacturer in mind.

 

[crs]

Starline for my .405 WCF and for my .45-90 loading. Nary a problem.

I have so much loaded .45-70 ammo that I may never need to reload it.

 

[bruce moulds]

thanks guys.
starline is available in oz, and personal experience with it has been good (45/2.4")
will advise the guy to get that.
bruce.

 

[sgt_zim]

I cannot speak as to hardness but I have heard that the lever revolution cases are a bit short.

For 45-70 I'd buy Starline brass. It's easily the best out there.

They are shorter to account for the very long ogive on the FTX bullets. If you buy factory brass, it has to be trimmed from 2.105 down to 2.040. If you buy LeveRevolution off the shelf, the brass is already cut down to 2.040.

Other than reloading for FTX , I use starline exclusively for my 45-70 loads.

 

[sgt_zim]

Starline for my .405 WCF and for my .45-90 loading. Nary a problem.

I have so much loaded .45-70 ammo that I may never need to reload it.

I have about 150 loaded, but waiting for @Parker O'Conor to buy his 45-70 so I can load some up for him, too. I think I have about 180 bullets waiting to be loaded.

 

[ThomasBeaham]

Thanks Gentleman for this timely (for me)
information.
Much appreciated.