Need input on 45 70 reloads

[jim36]

I have been reloading my 45 70 with a Lee Classic Loader. Absolutely no problem. Decided to full length size with my Lee RGB dies. Everything great, until I started seating the bullets.[Hornadyand Sierra 300 gr 458 dia.] Upon seating, I started to show a slight bulge on the cases showing the outline of each seated bullet. This did not show with the Lee Classic [neck size only] die. The completed cartridge had no problem when chambering. How about you thoughts on this.
                                        Thanks
                                                   Jim

  P.S. Do you think I need to go back to the Classic Loader?

[STexhunter]

I've had the same problem sometimes.  I found that I had to adjust the belling of the mouth of the case with the die a little deeper.  That helped some.  But the biggest thing I found was starting the bullet straight.  If the bullet had the slightest cant it would bulge.  I tried starting the bullet every so sllghtly, making sure the case is straight in the shell holder, and then turning the case a little by hand seating some more and turning the case again.  This helped.  I think the seating stem is probably the cause and how it engages the bullet mose.  Just my 2 cents worth.

[quickdtoo]

Jim,

I cut my handloading teeth on the 45-70 Lee Loader, when I switched to dies, I noticed the same problem, but I found that if I start the bullet using the Lee Loader to align the bullet straight, then finish seating with the seater die in the press, the bulge is even all the way around.

Tim

[BBF]

I use the LEE press myself and get that bulge all the time if I full lenght size the brass.  As long as the ammo chambers, and it does, I care not.

[jim36]

Thanks guys. Keep those cards and letters coming

[Lone Star]

This problem is not confined to the .45-70 but manifests itself on many straightwalled and tapered cases with certain FL sizing dies.  It is due to over-sizing the brass with too-small diameter die dimensions.  The solution - usually - is not to run the case all the way into the die.  The .45-70 is actually tapered, so by not running the case all the way in you will not be sizing it down as small - so no bulge.  You will have to experiment to find out how far to run in the case, but with my 30-year-old RCBS dies I stop about 3/4" short of all the way in.  YMMV.


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[Autorim]

Lone Star has it right. However, the bulge is OK and IME has no adverse effect.

[Blackhawker]

Maybe I'm missing the point here on the loader type    In reference to the bulge however, I never see bulges in my 45-70 ammo with any variety of brass (Win, Rem, or Star-line).  Where I DO see the bulge you are reffering to is on my 38-55 ammo.  When I first started loading 38-55's, the bulge was uneven and sometimes only showed on one side of the cartridge.  I was somewhat concered and thought that this would (might) skew the bullet upon chambering and cause inaccuracy.  (still don't know, can it?)  Nonetheless, I found a remedy for the problem.  If I flare or bell the case slightly, then I can slightly seat the bullet in the case by hand.  I set the bullet atop of the case as evenly as possible and then (the important part) I SLOWLY....very SLOWLY seat the bullet.  It seems to me that if you just jam the ram up into the die fast, the bullet never gets a chance to properly align itself as opposed to when you slowly seat the bullet.  When I seat the bullet slowly, the bulge may still be visible but it is absolutely even around the case and not as noticeable for that matter.

I don't know if this info will help you out with your loader Jim, but you might try it and see what happens if you seat your bullets slowly. 

By the way, I load on an old three-holed Lee Pro-100 which I converted to a standard three-holed turret press.  I've always wanted to upgrade and I still can't believe I've been loading on that old cheap thing for over 20 years now...but it still works great.  Why change what works well??? 

Good luck with your 45-70 loads.

[Varmint Hunter]

I've got a set of Hornady 45/70 FL dies that do the same thing (slight bulge around bullet base). It has never presented a problem and probably provides better bullet grip for more consistent ignition.

However, if you find it unsightly, and I do, then just back the sizing die out a little at a time until the bulge is acceptable or gone.

[jim36]

Thanks Guys   Gonna try each of the suggested ideas. I did not have this problem with the Lee Classic, just when I started full length sizing. 
                                                 Thanks again
                                                                   Jim

[jlchucker]

I've seen that same bulge using RCBS dies.  I've pretty much ignored it for years, and have good luck with the 45-70 and a variety of cast bullets.  In fact, my Marlin, bought new in 1981, has never seen a factory round since I bought it.