.45-70 reloading advice

[Sierra Sherpa]

I'm getting back to reloading, it's been at least 4 yrs., maybe more.  I've got a Lyman set of dies, there are 3 dies altogether.  Betwixt the decapper/sizer and seater is a neck expander die.  The instructions advise that you expand the neck to keep from shaving cast bullets.  I'm only loading jacketed ones.  Do I still need to do this step?  If I recall, I have always done this step regardless of what I loaded because...well, because I had the die to do so.  Plus, there have been instances where I've crumpled a case when seating a bullet.  I chamfer the inside and outside mouth of each case.
 
Also, I don't have a chronograph, but have gone online to print up reloading data for the old gubment round.  I'm curious if Handi owners have found a particular muzzle velocity out of our guns that provides stellar accuracy and DRT game performance.  I'll be reloading for my Handi (bought Nov. 2010) and my buddy's TC Contender/Encore (I can't remember exactly which he has right now).  He is a bit recoil sensitive and would like a middlin' load.  I'm good with either middlin' or hot, so long as it's safe and accurate.  Thanks for your help guys.  Our guns are scoped.
 
Oh, we are hunting deer in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.  Ranges can include 200-yd. shots, but we're hoping for closer shots, around 100 yds.  We're heading for the range this Fri. to test loads, then heading out on the final week of October before the season closes on the 31st.

[petemi]

O.K., here we go.  First, I use the expander die with jacketed bullets only to the point where the bullet will start readily, avoiding damaged cases.

Second, the Handi .45-70 is way up among the most accurate rifles I own, and probably the least particular about what I feed it.  I've had good consistent accuracy from both light and heavy, cast and jacketed bullets with velocities from 1200 to over 2000 fps.  I prefer heavy bullets.  My most accurate hunting load is a Rem 405 gr. over 45.8 gr. IMR4198 at 1925 +/- fps.  It'll shoot cloverleafs at 100 yards.  A load doesn't have to be this hot to take deer.  The same 405 cruising along at 1200 will readily kill a deer at modest ranges.  My shots here can be up to 300 yards.  That's why I like the higher velocity.  thejanitor, Brent, and his boys, Patty and I, have done quite a lot of shooting with this load and love its power and accuracy.  I might mention, it'll beat you up a bit too    You may want to slow it down to perhaps 15 or 1600 and it will still work well out to 200 if you're sighted in for it.

Pete

[Sierra Sherpa]

Thanks Petemi.  I hope those guys check this forum cause I was really hoping to get Handi-specific comments before the moderator switched my posting.      I know my Uberti Highwall likes Varget with the 300-gr Sierra and 405-gr. Rem.  From the preliminary tests, my Handi does as well.

[BBF]

Hey SS:
Are you in one of those NO Lead zones??

[GH1]

I too have a Handi .45-70 and I've had good results with25 gr of AA5744 behind a 405 gr cast RNFP sized at .459. According to the folks at Accurate this load should be good for around 1275 FPS or so and depending on range that should be enough to kill a deer.
As far as flaring the cases goes I would, it makes starting the bullet that much easier. Just don't over do it.
GH1  

[tacklebury]

My BC loves the Hornady 300 gr. HP, 350gr. FP and 325gr FTX.  All with between 46 to 48 gr. Reloader7.  I haven't found a lead she likes yet, but haven't started molding yet.  Have everything but the molds picked up.  Hopefully, soon.    Have heard good things about the Lee 405-HB mold so will probably try that with modest loads and work up avoiding leading. 

[Swampman]

I prefer Trapdoor velocity in my .45-70s.  I really like IMR-4198 and I've been using it since the late 1970s.

[srussell]

I prefer Trapdoor velocity in my .45-70s.  I really like IMR-4198 and I've been using it since the late 1970s.

4198 is a over looked powder. its great in the old 45-70 and others

[Sierra Sherpa]

Thanks fellas.  I just checked my cabinet and I have a good supply of IMR 4198.  Also have Varget, IMR 4064, H322, and a dwindling amount of H4895, IMR 3031.  I am not in a "no lead" zone.  I just prepped and primed 100 empties and will start loading powder and bullets tomorrow.  All I have right now are the 300-gr. Hornadys, about 250 of them.  The only loads I've shot through the gun are 300 and 405 gr. bullets using Varget and a few Hornady LeverEvolution 325-grainers.  At 100 yds. all grouped well.
 
I routinely clean out the primer pockets, and did again tonight, but wondering if this has any real effect on performance.  It does add a bit of time to the reloading process.  I'd forgotten how therapeutic it all can be.  Was in the garage listening to the rain come down on the roof, street and driveway.  Never should have gotten away from the fold.   

[gcrank1]

+1 on flare just a tad to ease starting a bullet of any kind; I give enough to stand and hold the bullet up straight for the seating step.
From my scanning of data for accuracy it appears that just below the speed of sound results in the best groups; ie, say 1050 to 1100fps muzzle velo. No surprise to me, smallbore competition proved beyond doubt that is the case, less wind drift too. The typical 45-70 projectile had a similar ballistic coefficient to the 22LR bullet and it is a matter of physics that similar BC bullets fired at the same velo, have (for practical purposes) trajectory. Less recoil (from less launch velo) also results in better shooter performance.
For your stated intent, and distances, I would have no worries with a 1080fps load in a 45-70 with a 340 or 405gr. cast bullet, the inertia will punch through fine.
The 1250-1300ish fps load duplicates the Black Powder load pretty well too, and is like the 22LR HV loading for traj. (after all the 22 shooting most of us have done, no wonder we are 'comfortable' with hitting things with a 45-70).