I did push a 440 round ball through the bore - came out 439. The powder chart that came with the Lee dies using IMR-4198 had a starting load of 25.2 and a max at 30.4 so I don't think I had too much powder. Both the powder and the primers were given to me. That said, some of the guys sitting a round the BS table up in shotgun suggested bad powder, not enough powder, and or bad primers. It was the same powder I used to load some 40 cal cartridges for my 10ga 1882 Remington 10ga with a 40 cal barrel rifle liner in it. That load is a whole different story, but it worked with a 425gr slug and 25grs of 4198. Back to the 43. I looked at the powder that fell out of the barrel on the cement and it looked dark and unburnt - could still see its shape. Maybe a half of the load was there. There was no recoil and the load sounded very weak. I didn't crimp the bullet in the case. It slides in with very little pressure with a Lee hand press. I left the first one sticking out the case a little extra and when it felt like it was touching the bore [ or forcing cone ] I backed it out and saw a tiny shiny spot on the nose so I turned in the seating plunger. I felt comfortable with it's length and it was not quite centered on the first grove back from the nose. I figured, right or wrong, I was good to go. I think my gunsmith friend was guessing right, I need more powder. On the Hodgdons web site for 45/70 they list a starting point at 31grs and max at 33. Wouldn't the 43 Spanish be pretty close to a 45/70 ? I didn't see 43 Spanish over there. I've loaded shotgun for 40 years, and at one time pistol and rifle for the wife and me when shooting cowboy - but that was just 45 LC on a Dillion so I never got into it much. Thanks to everyone for any help.