Lee Hand Press and the 475 Linebaugh or 45/70

[SJPrice]

I am interested in a way to load for my packin guns while out in the back country.  I need tools, components and methods that will fit in a saddle bag and will be able to be used in the evening while sitting around the campfire.  My question is has anyone used the Lee Hand Press to load either of these calibers, the 475 Linebaugh or the 45/70?  As I have always loaded using a bench mounted RCBS press in the past I am curious about several issues related to the Lee Hand press.  Will my RCBS dies work in this press?  Will this press provice a sufficient crimp for these heavy recoiling rounds?  Am I crazy to think I can set up a powder scoop to load these rounds by volume rather than by weight that is consistant enough to be safe with heavy loads in the 475 and +P loads in the 45/70?  I know it sounds kind of silly as you ask yourself why carry all the components and the tools when you could just carry the spare ammo?  Simple (or silly, you pick) answer is, I ride in the back country alone alot and have often thought it would be relaxing to sit on some evenings and load a few rounds.  Any and all experience with this equipment would be appreciated.  Thanks!

[BigJakeJ1s]

I don't know about 475 or 45/70, but I use a hand press for 45 colt exclusively. I started out with the Lee, then got a Huntington Compac hand press. I like it better, but it is a lot more expensive, ~$90, iirc. Smaller, but stronger, more rigid, and more accurate than the Lee. None of the "spring" evident in the Lee hand press. I replaced the bolts at the hinge points with clevis pins & e-clips (like the Lee's hinge pins). They stick out less than the bolts/nuts.

Andy

[GregP42]

I have used the Lee hand press with the 45/70 and even up to 30-06! It works just fine, just remember to lube the cases if you are resizing them, I have one I take with me to the range to decap the cases after I shoot BP in them. That same one is next to the bugout bag, they work just fine for what they are, just remember, you have to supply the power to work it as there is not the same leverage as a normal press.

Greg

[Lloyd Smale]

ive done a pile of 475s on one. It worked fine

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I use a Lyman 310 tool for .38 spl and .357.  Full length sizing is going to be your biggest challenge.  Otherwise, all the rest should be a cinch - including crimping. 

As for full-pressure loads without a scale.  That might be a bit touchy.  This I've never done.  What I have done is work up a load specifically for volume measuring, but maximum pressure/velocity becomes less important for these loads.  Instead I go for sufficient velocity.

For example:  I have .35 Whelen that really purrs with Reloader 15.  That powder can launch a 280grain bullet with some zip.  But with that powder, I'm not comfortable with much "slop" in the powder measurements.  So I tried Reloader 19 which is slower burning.  I've run out of room in the case before I maxed out the pressure, but the accuracy is good and the velocity is still 2250 fps with that 280 grain bullet.  Plenty of snort.  If I were to load at camp, I would use RL-19.  At home, I'll use the RL-15.  . 

[wncchester]

You stated your intentions, not asked if it's good idea or not, so I am somewhat out of line here BUT, is loading in the field really worth the hassle?  I once considered it but decided it's not for me.

The reason I thought it might be work was to reduce the weight of the ammo I thought I might shoot on a back-packing hunt.  On thinking that through I realized I could take more than enogh ammo for my needs without dealing with the bulk and weight of a set of dies, a small press, components, etc, and still do what I needed to do.  The ONLY way I could see packing any loading gear was to use an old Lee Loader Kit and dispense with all other equipment.  Still didn't do it but might reconsider IF I rode my 4x4 truck right to camp's door.

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

I use the Lee handpress for everything except case forming.  .45-70 included, they are easy!

I thought about packing reloading gear, back when I was in the Army.  I knew i was going to shoot trap while I was on temporary Duty.  I finally figured it out.  The most convenient way to carry all those components around is ASSEMBLED!  There is no weight saving.  On the contrary, you have to lug your reloading gear as well as all those components.  The best option is to stock enough cases to load for the entire trip.

[iiranger]

Actually the heaviest part of the cartridge is the bullet. Now you plan to haul the bullets and reuse the cases... As suggested, small economy, weight or space... but it is your "haul..."

You need to try these things at home to make sure things "fit together", but should work. I got around to trying to use my RCBS primer crimp remover (on surplus cases) in the hand press and not enough clearance. -!!- Did that batch with my Rockchucker...  I found another unit that has the case/shell holder on top of the press (CH??) worked fine in the hand press. As suggested, you don't want to "case form" out and about or home either IN A HAND PRESS... Unless you look like the Hulk already and need a work out... One fellow was telling me how he full length resized by stepping on his LEE hand press... Not for me...

Skeeter Skelton of Shooting Times fame, before his early death--poor old law dog, wrote of doing .38/.357's around the camp fire with Lyman 310 tools. Full length resizing with a 310 is not possible. They sell a separate die to full length that you beat the case into with a mallet and then take a rod and beat the case out. Lots of good lube, please... Work. But doesn't take up much space. 310, also, at one time were the only dies to "flare' the mouth of the case for lead bullet seating... Now the "M" die is available... Design dates from buffalo hunter days and cases of pure copper...

You should be able to use carbide dies and avoid this. (Carbide dies were not common once.)

And if you read the old timers, there are many versions of "dipping" powder. Skeeter and Naramore both wrote of making your own dipper out of used cases (long before the LEE plastic ones became available) and filing off to get the capacity you want. (You solder a wire handle on the side --well  away from any powder!!!)   With consistant pass thru the powder in open container, and scrape off... little practice and you will be amazed at how consistent you will be. Drop the charges into your scale and weigh them for practice.  I cannot recommend this if you are loading to just short of the "hubs of H__" but for any less than max load... works real good.

.45/70 is not the stoutest of cases. You need to be a little gentle. With care, no problem. Any lead bullet load and most "moderate" jacketed bullet loads. Linebaugh was made from .348 WCF I think? Another lever action case. Not the brass of a belted magnum. Again. Moderation. Reasonable working loads should be no problem.

The other thought is "when." If you are on the trail during daylight... Do you really want to do this at the end of a long day in the dark? By light of a campfire? Sure, there are lanterns today with the light of medium electric bulbs... You should be able to get it all into a .30 cal Army ammo can, if it suits your needs.

Wildest story I ever read... man was doing this in the Yukon. When Ideal made the 310 tools they had a bullet mold in the end of one handle, sometimes.  Some metal melted out of the rocks into his camp fire... SO he used it to cast bullets for his lever gun. After several decades he was in town and someone noticed his bullets. They assayed one. GOLD! He had been shooting pure gold bullets for years... Wild story like this is probably true... LUCK....

[Lloyd Smale]

ive done it myself and theres just something about sitting at a campfire out at camp and loading a few by the fire. It may not be practical but it is a relaxing way to spend the evening.

[SJPrice]

Thanks for all the knowledge, advice and opinions.  I agree it is not a necessary task and not exactly practical either.  I can easily carry enough rounds for a trip to the back country.  I guess my desire is to experience the event and if I enjoy it, so be it and if I do not, I will smile at my own endeavors.  I bumped into a fellow shooter at the range who was using a Lee Hand Press and he welcomed the opportunity to have me size a few.  454's were easy and even 45/70's were no chore.  I would not want to do a 250 round session on a regular basis, but for a few rounds, why not and apparently for a few bucks one can get the tools.  Thanks again.

[stuffit]

Take a tin of Imperial Sizing Wax along and you won't have to "muscle" that sizing operation at all. 
s.

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

I love IMPERIAL DIE WAX.  Used it for about 10 years.  Almost finished my first tin, and I have another in reserve.

[stuffit]

s.

[jbtazgrabber]

it is relaxing  since you know what is involved in the resizing department ...go for it....make sure to buy carbide dies and case lube.....a case deburring tool to canfer the case is good on the straight casses to get the lead bullets in......have some fun and becarefull....jb