The .45-70 Gov't is one of the easiest to handload. This is review number 51 and I am excited to spread the knowledge. As I am not paid by GunRags to write what they want me to write I tell it like it is for me. It is okay to disagree but I have no hidden agenda to sell you something nor do I get paid for these reviews.
The .45-70 Gov't has been around along time and I don't see it going away anytime soon. Yes, ballistically there are superior rounds to this cartridge but NONE of them have the character that I like about this old cartridge. I have played with all the newer cartridges like the Whisper, Super Short magnums, Creedmores and other .243 Wanabees but in preparing this review I find that my battery contains only cartridges from yester year. Seems like my .41 Magnum and .22-250 are the newest cartridges I maintain. At one time I handloaded for over 25 cartridges but realized I am down to about 15 or so.
For my .45-70 Gov't I start out with Winchester Silver Box Ammunition. https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/Super-X/X4570H. After having fun with this factory load, I clean the once fired brass in my wet Rotary Case Cleaner https://www.rcbs.com/case-processing/cleaning/rotary-case-cleaner/1000813.html using a touch of Dawn dish soap and Lemishine https://lemishine.com/products/dish-detergent-booster?variant=36193650901145. I can get 5 or 6 loadings out of brass before I weed them out.
After drying the cases either on cookie sheets in the sun or my Lyman Case Dryer https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/lyman/case-prep-tools/cycloner-case-dryer, I then lube, resize and decap them on my RCBS Rebel Single Stage Press. https://www.rcbs.com/presses/single-stage/rebel-press/16-9353.html. My old Rock Cucker was ok but I liked the more open window of this newer press. I only load on a single stage press for my rifle cartridges as I want more control than a progressive press gives me.
Then on to the Lyman case trimmer https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/lyman/case-trimmers-accessories/brass-smith-case-trim-xpresstm and then to my Hornady Chamfer tool. https://www.hornady.com/reloading/case-care/case-prep-tools/cartridge-case-prep-tools-accessories#!/. Now that they are properly trimmed and deburred and primer pockets cleaned, I tumble them in my dry tumbler to shine them. After inspecting the primer pocket flash holes for corncob pieces, I then hand prime with Federal large rifle primers.
Now comes the powder charge. I use a variety of powders following the Load Manuals, along with Acme Bullets https://www.acmebullet.com/Bullets/45-70/45-70-300RNFP, Berry's plated https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp-45-70-458-350gr-rs or Hornady https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/45-cal-458-300-gr-hp#!/. I am not listing powder charges and such as I have no control on how one uses the data. I can say however, that a good rule of thumb is to use a reputable manual and start with a 10 percent reduced charge and maintain quality control with a chronograph as well.
In all three of my .45-70 Gov't rifles I achieve sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards. I maintain the consistent overall length for each cartridge assembly. All my barrels clean easily after shooting. There are other handloading products out there and I have tried most of them. As they may work for you the equipment that I use has given me the best overall usage.
Handloading ammunition is only one facet of the entire shooting culture. It is relaxing, rewarding and prideful to roll your own, at least for me. As we get ready for the next ammo draught (I have lived through 4 already without suspending my shooting) handloading will get you through, even at today's prices.
See you on the Range
Trapper
The .45-70 Gov't has been around along time and I don't see it going away anytime soon. Yes, ballistically there are superior rounds to this cartridge but NONE of them have the character that I like about this old cartridge. I have played with all the newer cartridges like the Whisper, Super Short magnums, Creedmores and other .243 Wanabees but in preparing this review I find that my battery contains only cartridges from yester year. Seems like my .41 Magnum and .22-250 are the newest cartridges I maintain. At one time I handloaded for over 25 cartridges but realized I am down to about 15 or so.
For my .45-70 Gov't I start out with Winchester Silver Box Ammunition. https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/Super-X/X4570H. After having fun with this factory load, I clean the once fired brass in my wet Rotary Case Cleaner https://www.rcbs.com/case-processing/cleaning/rotary-case-cleaner/1000813.html using a touch of Dawn dish soap and Lemishine https://lemishine.com/products/dish-detergent-booster?variant=36193650901145. I can get 5 or 6 loadings out of brass before I weed them out.
After drying the cases either on cookie sheets in the sun or my Lyman Case Dryer https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/lyman/case-prep-tools/cycloner-case-dryer, I then lube, resize and decap them on my RCBS Rebel Single Stage Press. https://www.rcbs.com/presses/single-stage/rebel-press/16-9353.html. My old Rock Cucker was ok but I liked the more open window of this newer press. I only load on a single stage press for my rifle cartridges as I want more control than a progressive press gives me.
Then on to the Lyman case trimmer https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/lyman/case-trimmers-accessories/brass-smith-case-trim-xpresstm and then to my Hornady Chamfer tool. https://www.hornady.com/reloading/case-care/case-prep-tools/cartridge-case-prep-tools-accessories#!/. Now that they are properly trimmed and deburred and primer pockets cleaned, I tumble them in my dry tumbler to shine them. After inspecting the primer pocket flash holes for corncob pieces, I then hand prime with Federal large rifle primers.
Now comes the powder charge. I use a variety of powders following the Load Manuals, along with Acme Bullets https://www.acmebullet.com/Bullets/45-70/45-70-300RNFP, Berry's plated https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp-45-70-458-350gr-rs or Hornady https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/45-cal-458-300-gr-hp#!/. I am not listing powder charges and such as I have no control on how one uses the data. I can say however, that a good rule of thumb is to use a reputable manual and start with a 10 percent reduced charge and maintain quality control with a chronograph as well.
In all three of my .45-70 Gov't rifles I achieve sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards. I maintain the consistent overall length for each cartridge assembly. All my barrels clean easily after shooting. There are other handloading products out there and I have tried most of them. As they may work for you the equipment that I use has given me the best overall usage.
Handloading ammunition is only one facet of the entire shooting culture. It is relaxing, rewarding and prideful to roll your own, at least for me. As we get ready for the next ammo draught (I have lived through 4 already without suspending my shooting) handloading will get you through, even at today's prices.
See you on the Range
Trapper
