Questions about the Handi and .458 spitzers

[xhare]

This is a question concerning those that have loaded spitzers for the Handi 45-70.  In particular I am thinking about the Hornady 325 Leverevolution bullet, the Barnes 300 grain triple shock spitzer, and the newer Barnes 300 grain tipped triple shock boattail.   

Does the leverevolution require the Hornady short brass that the factory loads are in, or is this only needed for lever guns?

I read a review on Midwayusa that the Barnes tipped 300 grain triple shock boat tail engaged the rifling on a Handi when loaded to the top grove.  Has anyone else loaded these?  How did they work in your Handi?

My RCBS dies only have seating plugs for flat nose and roundnose bullets.  Do these spitzers require special seating plugs to seat them straight and without deformation?

I am a long time handloader, but have never loaded spitzers in the 45-70.  Thank you in advance for your advice. 

[quickdtoo]

I have some of the 300gr TTSX, but haven't shot them, have shot the regular TSX in the Ultra Hunter tho, use regular brass and they chamber fine, the short brass is just to keep the COL short enough to cycle thru a repeater which is a moot point for us, just make sure they're not loaded touching the lands which increases the start pressure by over 7000psi! 

Tim

[xhare]

Any special considerations concerning the bullet seating plug?

[quickdtoo]

I use Hornady dies which have a recessed hollow in the seater plug for the point, but RCBS will make a seater plug if you send them five bullets, or you can modify your own with epoxy or enlarge the a hole in the seater plug, if it has one, to fit the ogive of the bullet, I've done this on a Lee die, the hole was too small for the tip of the bullet.

Tim

RCBS will make you a custom seater plug for about $20 if you send them five bullets, give em a call. You can also make your own with epoxy or hot glue. I just use my 35 Remington seater.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,149163.msg1098619731.html#msg1098619731

http://www.rcbs.com/guide/#faq

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/2010_SpecialOrder.pdf

From their FAQs...

Q. When I seat the bullet, the seater plug cuts a ring around the bullet just below the nose. What causes this?

A. In short, the seater plug does not fit the bullet you are using. The seater plug furnished with the Seater Die normally will fit the great majority of the bullets for that particular caliber. However, we cannot make one seater plug fit all bullets currently available. If you experience this problem or any similar problem where the seater plug doesn't match the bullet and you wish to have a special seater plug made, we can supply one from the Special Order Department at minimum cost. See our Special Order Catalog for current pricing.

[xhare]

My seater plugs have no hole as I remember.  Just a flat or rounded bullet contact area.  Perhaps some Hornady dies are in order.  Its been years since I bought a new set of dies.  Thanks. 

[tacklebury]

I've loaded the FTX in .45-70 several times and using the Lee Classic loader and the std. Lee full length rifle dies.  You have to be a little careful when starting the FTX with a std. plug, but it works.  I just opened my case slightly more, because they have a pretty sharp bottom ridge.  I set them about .003 off the rifling and was right at the edge of the cannelure.  They shot splendidly in my Buffalo Classic, but were slightly inconsistent on expansion.  Many exploded and some were really good.  I have switched to the 350 gr. FP from Hornady as a result of my tests though.  Groups were around 1" at 100 yards using 47 gr. Reloader7.