Nut cracker tool for a 45-70

[Country Boy]

  I had one of these for a 30-40 ktrag when I was a kid. It's gone. I looked up the price on a new one with dies and it was outragious ! Anyone know where I could get one at a reasonable price ? If not do the Lee sets work ok ? I'm not planning to load a lot or should I just buy a set of 45-70 dies for my press ?  I would really like to have the nut cracker tool as I can load at my kitchen table. Thanks

[McLernon]

Duh---- what's a nut-cracking tool??

Mc

[cowboyup453]

I saw one on ebay the other day but it was over $200. I dont thing you will find one cheap. If you already have a press I'd just get the dies you can get a set of lee dies for under $30 TYD.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=818681

[quickdtoo]

There's two Lee options, the Lee Hand Press which uses standard dies, and the Classic Lee Loader. The tool you refer to is probably the Lyman 310 Tong tool.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=410804

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=224711

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=485896

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=853401

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lyman-310-Rifle-Pisol-Dies-Tong-Reloader-45-70-Govt_W0QQitemZ180116016130QQihZ008QQcategoryZ31825QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Winter Hawk]

Direct from Lyman: http://lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/  Click on their "search" button (top right), then enter 310 tool.  With dies you are looking at $120 or so.  Midsouth Shooters Supply used to carry them for a lot less, but I couldn't find the 310 tool there for some reason.

I have both the Lyman tong tool with dies as well as the Lee hand press with dies, and I mostly use the Lyman.  The Lee is a lot cheaper, of course.  And if you go with the classic Lee Loader, you get everything you need (except for a mallet) for $20.  I wish Lyman would bring back dies in the regular calibers like they had back in the "old days."  Mine are .30-06, .30-30 and .308.  If I could get a set in .30-40 I would be happy indeed!  Of course, if someone would turn out a nutcracker tool which accepted regular dies, but on the lines of the Lyman rather than the Lee, at a reasonable price, I would be a happy camper!

-WH-

[burntmuch]

I use the lee loader. It does everything I need. But if I already had a press & all the other goodies , I would just go with the dies. But Im set up with the Lee for my 30-06 45-70 & 7mag. all for about 50 bucks

[Datil]

 Country Boy I load all my 45-70 With a Lee Classic loader.
 Does better and easier than dies in press, in MHO. I don't load much in 45-70.
 Marv.

[Bear Rider]

I reload for my Buffalo Classic with a Lyman/Ideal 310 tong tool. For further information on these tools and dies go to:
http://www.antiquereloadingtools.com.

You can buy tools and dies here: http://www.cnyauctions.com/the310shop.htm. I got my old style 4 die set from him. I already had a set of Ideal 310 handles that were steel rather than the modern aluminum(?). I think I paid $15 for the handles at a gun show.

Both of these sites have a lot of information.

This is a nice way to go. A box of 100 bullets takes up more space and weighs more than your entire reloading kit.

[J-Train]

I have a Lee Hand Press that I enjoy using.  If you already have dies for your .45-70, it's a handy thing since it doesn't need to be mounted on a bench.  It uses standard dies.  The classic Lee Loader is a great tool, though, and the .45-70 would be easy to load with it.  Either way, you can't go wrong and the price is right.