The .45-70 Government cartridge, a legendary round with a rich history, continues to captivate shooters. Whether you're hunting big game or enjoying the satisfying recoil of this powerful cartridge, reloading your own .45-70 ammunition offers significant advantages: cost savings, customized loads, and the ability to tailor your ammunition to your specific firearm. This guide focuses on Lee reloading equipment and provides a detailed walkthrough of the .45-70 reloading process.
Why Choose Lee for .45-70 Reloading?
Lee Precision is a highly respected name in the reloading world, known for producing affordable and reliable equipment. Their offerings are particularly attractive to beginners due to their straightforward design and ease of use. While they may lack some of the bells and whistles found in higher-priced presses, Lee's products deliver consistent performance and exceptional value, making them an excellent choice for reloading the .45-70.
Essential Lee Equipment for .45-70 Reloading
To effectively reload .45-70 using Lee equipment, you'll need the following:
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Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press: This single-stage press is a workhorse, perfect for beginners and experienced reloaders alike. Its sturdy construction ensures reliable performance, and its simple design makes it easy to learn.
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Lee .45-70 Sizing Die Set: This set includes the sizing die, which resizes the spent cartridge cases to the correct dimensions, and a powder measure. Ensure you select the correct die set for your specific .45-70 case type (e.g., straight-walled, bottleneck).
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Lee Universal Decapping Die: This die removes the spent primer from the cartridge case, preparing it for the next step. While not strictly necessary, using a decapping die separate from your sizing die helps to maintain accuracy and extend the life of your sizing die.
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Lee Auto-Prime XL: This hand-held primer seating tool offers a quick and efficient method for seating primers in your prepared cases.
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Lee Powder Measure: Accurate powder measurement is critical for safe and consistent reloading. Lee offers various powder measures, from simple dippers to more sophisticated progressive systems. Choosing the appropriate powder measure for your volume and reloading goals is essential.
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Lee Bullet Seating Die: This die precisely seats bullets into the prepared cases, ensuring proper alignment and consistent performance.
Step-by-Step .45-70 Reloading Process with Lee Equipment
This detailed guide assumes you are familiar with basic reloading safety procedures. Always consult your reloading manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines.
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Case Preparation: Start by cleaning and inspecting your spent .45-70 cases. Remove any debris or damage.
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Decapping: Use the Lee Universal Decapping Die to remove the spent primers.
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Sizing: Size the cases using the Lee .45-70 Sizing Die to ensure consistent chambering.
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Primer Seating: Use the Lee Auto-Prime XL to seat new primers in the sized cases.
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Powder Measurement: Carefully measure the appropriate amount of powder using your Lee Powder Measure. Double-check your powder charge to ensure accuracy.
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Bullet Seating: Seat the bullets using the Lee Bullet Seating Die, ensuring proper crimp and bullet alignment.
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Crimping: Depending on your bullet type and load, you may need to crimp the case mouth to secure the bullet.
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Inspection: Thoroughly inspect each finished round for any irregularities before loading and firing.
Choosing the Right .45-70 Load Data
Selecting the correct load data for your specific components (.45-70 brass, powder, bullet, primer) is paramount for safe and effective reloading. Always consult a reputable reloading manual, such as those published by Lee Precision or other established reloading suppliers, for recommended load data. Never exceed the maximum recommended load data.
Advanced Techniques and Considerations
As you gain experience, you might explore advanced techniques, such as using a Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure for increased efficiency or experimenting with different bullet weights and powder types to optimize performance for your specific firearm. Remember that consistent and careful reloading practices are key to achieving reliable and accurate results.
This guide provides a foundation for successful .45-70 reloading using Lee equipment. Remember, safety and precision are paramount. With careful attention to detail and a commitment to safe practices, you can enjoy the rewards of custom-loaded .45-70 ammunition for years to come.
