.45-70 Crimp Amount?

[Obturation]

To me, from your picture, it looks fine.

Looks fine to me too. I prefer a heavy crimp, if the brass doesn't last as long I won't complain .

Trappy loads will get it done

Yep, not a lot will survive a 400+ grain bullet , even at 1000 fps. Easy on the shooter, likely full penetration on target. Even increasing velocity to try to flatten trajectory is a challenge as it doesn't really improve it enough to justify the beating a 405 @ 2000 fps will give. Somewhere in between 1000 and 2000 fps I found a velocity I like that shoots flat enough and will punch clear through anything that breathes . I use a lot of trail boss though, if I want more I like imr4198.

My buddy, who was watching me shoot them off the sticks... still laughs at me. He said it was too painful for him to watch.

I know how that goes

 

[jambie]

30grn IMR4198 and that 405grn bullet produces a nice 1400fps out of my 1885...

Achhh, that’s the powder I want! There’s a guy on here in NH with 8 lbs for sale, but I’m not desperate enough to make THAT road trip. Maybe...
TR

 

[Charlie98]

Achhh, that’s the powder I want! There’s a guy on here in NH with 8 lbs for sale, but I’m not desperate enough to make THAT road trip. Maybe...
TR

I walked away from an 8#'er of IMR4198 a few times... back before I really knew how good it was with cast bullets. I'm paying the price for that now... I'm down to less than a half-pound.

 

[Riomouse911]

Depends on the loads and the rifle. The OP is loading Trapdoor level loads, any bullet with a proper roll crimp into the crimp groove will prevent bullet setback. If you are loading full-house 'modern lever-action' loads in an 1886 or 1895 Marlin, then you might need to think about a more aggressive crimp... with the understanding that you are going to pay the price in brass longevity.

As Charlie98 posted, I tailor my crimp to the load. The stomper heavy-bullet loads get a bit more crimp, the milder loads a lesser crimp.



500 gr LRNFP, 405 gr JSP, 300 gr JHP, 450 gr Acme LFP. The lead loads are IMR 4198, the jacketed loads are using 3031.

These are all for my Marlin 1895’s.

Stay safe.

 

[jambie]

As Charlie98 posted, I tailor my crimp to the load. The stomper heavy-bullet loads get a bit more crimp, the milder loads a lesser crimp.

View attachment 973388

500 gr LRNFP, 405 gr JSP, 300 gr JHP, 450 gr Acme LFP. The lead loads are IMR 4198, the jacketed loads are using 3031.

These are all for my Marlin 1895’s.

Stay safe.

Thanks for the pic and info!
TR

 

[Charlie98]

Thanks for the pic and info!

That's a very good photo... thanks, Rio! That's, basically in a photo, what I was talking about. Because I only load .45-70 for a 1885 (single-shot) now, I don't crimp any of them! That would change, of course, if the stars aligned, the angels sing... and another 1886 falls into my lap.

 

[Obturation]

I do mine like this;

Yep, heavy crimp.
This brass has no less than 6 firings- that's why it's semi retired / not using it for heavy loads.

In my over crimping opinion, the lee fcd is the best there is for this type of cartridge- ymmv

 

[Riomouse911]

I use the Lee FCD die, too. Being able to see the crimp being applied makes it a breeze to use.

Stay safe.