45/70 cases too short to crimp

liberty4u2 · Rookie Member Joined: Jan 07, 2011 Posts: 4

Hi folks, New here, of course. I Bought a 1895CB 45/70 and a box of Hornady 325gr. leverutionary. Also, picked up RCBS dies. Long story short- Can't seem to adjust the seat/crimp die enough to get a crimp. Cases measure 2.035. Trim length is 2.095. This is the only thing I can come up with as to why I can't crimp case. Bullet is Hornady 350gr. round nose (It's all they had). Plan on casting something eventually. Hope you folks can offer suggestion/advice for a cure. I am gonna buy some never fired cases to see if they come longer. Single loaded, starting load plunked 3 of em right on top of each other at 50 yds. Beginning of a good love story if I get the bugs worked out. Thanks p.s. the Marlin seems like a really good gun. Handsome enough too with octagon bbl. and st stock.

Ominivision1

In my Lyman book, it lists case length at 2.105" max and trim length at 2.095", I would definitely say that the cases are to short to crimp. Like you said, I would invest in some new cases.

Vince

Welcome aboard Liberty4u2...grab a beer and pull up a stump mate...plenty of room at the fire.

I see our mate Omini has already answered your query, so put the feet up and relax mate...at least until you can get out and grab some new brass. My data tells me the same thing...2.105" max, trim length 2.095". A thou or so either side or that is not going to be a problem, so long as all of your cases are the same length. Your cases measuring 2.035" are way too short mate...put them aside for when you decide to build a wildcat. Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

wiersy111

For some reason hornady made the leverlution cases shorter. I was able to crimp mine. They do stretch with multiple firings, but not much. One of these days I am going to order new brass so I don't have to deal with the short ones anymore.

Gil Martin

Welcome to the Forum. Glad to see you here. All the best...
Gil

1895ss

Welcome liberty4u2. I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die to crimp my 45-70 cases and it does not matter what length the case is. I also think they are much easier to use and quicker to set up and do a better job. Oh by the way, I think the die costs something like $15 or $20 in the U.S.

Grumulkin

You will find that more than one kind of Hornady case is shorter than SAMI specs. The reason is their FTX (Flex Tip) bullets. The ogive of those bullets is longer than bullets formerly loaded in these cartridges so the case has to be shorter so loaded rounds will feed through a lever action whilst allowing crimping. There is nothing wrong, per se, with their cases. You'll find Remington cases, for instances, will be longer.

As 1895ss notes, a Lee FCD is probably the answer to your problem.

gelandangan

+1
Use a FCD solve your problems.

45-70 definitely is a FUN!!!

wiersy111

Grumulkin wrote:

You will find that more than one kind of Hornady case is shorter than SAMI specs. The reason is their FTX (Flex Tip) bullets. The ogive of those bullets is longer than bullets formerly loaded in these cartridges so the case has to be shorter so loaded rounds will feed through a lever action whilst allowing crimping. There is nothing wrong, per se, with their cases. You'll find Remington cases, for instances, will be longer.

As 1895ss notes, a Lee FCD is probably the answer to your problem.

That's right I had forgot the reason, thanks. and a Lee Factory Crimp Die is the best answer I have found.

chambered221

I'm assuming the die hits the shell holder........you could try shaving .010-.015 off the die.
RCBS might even do it for you if you call them and discuss the issue with them.

liberty4u2 · Rookie Member Joined: Jan 07, 2011 Posts: 4

Wow! Where you guys been all my life? Thank you all for the great response. I'm gonna try ordering unfired cases from somewhere. Are all these cowboy guns this much fun? I was out yesterday in blinding snow shootin the darn thing. Haven't been revved up about a new gun since the .204 came out. Hey, thanks again.

Suzanne

AAAAAaaaaa......there goes one happy guy....into the sunset...grinnin all the way.....come again Liberty! Sorry, didn't get to shake yer hand, the boys pretty much have a way with hornin in....not that I had any in-put....could'a been introduced...but I'm just a quiet one (HA) Any way thanks for droppin yer beer can in the right bucket, I'll be haulin off the discards later, we got some more chewin to do.

Suz

Pumpkinslinger

Liberty, those Marlin 1895s are sweet guns! If you want a good "plinking load" try a 400 grain cast bullet over some Accurate 5744. Of course with a .45-70 your "plinking loads" will work on deer, hogs, small dinosaurs ...

44marty

If you want a real challenge with your 45/70 try squirrel hunting. Anything but a head shot and the squirrel disappears. I had a friend in Vermont who loved to shoot squirrel and snowshoe hare with his 1895. He said it was great stalking practice as he had to shoot only when the game was sitting very still.

Edit: And of course if a dinosaur did show up he was prepared.

wiersy111

Prairie dogs would be great fun with a 45-70.