Lee 45/70 seating die issues

[bajabill]

This die does not seem to allign the bullet well with the case.  If the bullet starts off line, it is forced into the case wall and slighly bulges the case to one side.  Im using the 300 gr bullets so they are somewhat short for diameter.  I ruined a couple cases when the bullet did not start into the neck and crushed the edge.

[EsoxLucius]

One of the easiest ways to align the bullet in the case for better seating is to use the Lyman 'M' die to expand.



1) The first step expands the inside of the case neck to just under bullet diameter for precise case neck tension in the finished reload. (See Illus. A.)

2) The second step expands the case mouth to bullet diameter or slightly over. This allows the jacketed or cast bullet to be started perfectly centered in the case mouth and properly aligned with the axis of the case neck. (See Illus. B.)

3) By adjusting the neck expanding plug slightly deeper, the second step also provides a slight flaring of the case mouth for reloaders using cast bullets. (See Illus. C.)

[quickdtoo]

I had the same problem with both the 45-70 and 45-120 even using the M-die, this was my solution....

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=61320

[bajabill]

well at least this is a common occurance.  I hate it when I am the only one to encounter a problem.  I tried rotating the case in the press after slightly seating the bullet, did not help.

[Mac11700]

I use the M die as well...and I rotate the case 180 degree's everytime about 1/2 thru the seating process...make sure you try to seat the bullet into the case fairly straight to begin with...

Mac

[Larry Gibson]

You might also try not FL sizing the cases completely. Just partial size them by backing the FL die out until the inside of the case mouth barely touches the expander button or so that the inside of the sized case mouth is not more than .003" less than bullet diameter.  That most often solves the problem but the use of the M die is still recommended.  The .003" provides sufficient neck tesion for proper ignition along with the crimp. Anothe side benifit is less trimming and longer case life.

Larry Gibson

[jh45gun]

I have not had any problems with my 45/70 dies they work great. If you have any doubts send them back Lee will check them out and fix or replace them free. Jim

[Rod B]

I also use Lee dies to reload the .45/70.

Are you using the powder through expanding die to put a small amount of flare on the case neck? I use just enough flare to ensure that the lead bullet is seated in the case with out shaving any lead as it is seated.

Rod. :wink:

[jh45gun]

I bought a Lee Universal Expanding Die for my cast bullet loads and it works great for belling the mouth and it can be used on any caliber. I know the 45/70 dies bell the case also if you set them up that way but this Universal die really does work slick. Jim

[Stan in SC]

If you don't flare your cases enough then you are going to have the bulge problem.

[quickdtoo]

This die does not seem to allign the bullet well with the case. If the bullet starts off line, it is forced into the case wall and slighly bulges the case to one side.

If you don't flare your cases enough then you are going to have the bulge problem.

Even if you flare the case with the M-die, which I do, if the bullet isn't perfectly straight, there's gonna be a bigger bulge on one side. Granted it's not a big bulge, but you can still see that the bullet is going to launch with a bit of yaw....using the Lee Loader to start the bullets, the bulge is even all the way round....and hopefully will be a tad more accurate with no runout which isn't obvious with the short, blunt 45-70 bullets.

[bajabill]

OK, I finally got around to making more of these

I did not quite grasp the meaning of "flare", until I decided to run the expander die down a little bit deeper.  Wow, I have been enlightened.  You can really flare the case mouth if you are not careful.  I am satisfied with my seating now.  Much better runout.  And the Lee factory crimp removes any evidence of a flared mouth.

[Haywire Haywood]

RCBS has a line of dies called "Cowboy" that are designed to work with fat cast bullets.  Badnews Bob solved his bulge problem in 38-55 with those.

Ian