Hornady 45-70 cases

[Hastings]

I just loaded up a bunch of 45-70 400gr WFNGC rounds (bullets provided by forum member GAR - great bullets by the way). I typically reload using Remington cases, but I happened to have some Hornady cases from their LeverEvolution ammo laying around too.

The Hornady cases are a lot shorter than the Remington cases. So much shorter, in fact, that the bullet seating/crimping die bottoms out before it will crimp the cases. Anyone else notice this, or did I get a bad batch of Hornady LeverEvolution ammo?

I don't like the LeverEvolution ammo, so I seldom have cases from these rounds. My brother gave me a few boxes, and as I remembered, the rounds were less impressive in my opinion. Now, with short cases, I have even less reason to shoot the remaining two boxes I have left.

Hastings

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, it's a common problem with all LeverEvolution cases.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=590542&highlight=LeverEvolution+case

Hornady notes it in the load data.
http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/45-70_1895-marlin_ftx.pdf

You can give your seating die an attitude adjustment by grinding about 1/8" off the bottom of it so it is short enough to crimp them.

rc

 

[Hastings]

Thanks, rcmodel. I think I'll go out and do some attitude adjustment right now.

I appreciate the info and suggestion.
Hastings

 

[john wall]

I either give Hornady 45/70 brass away, or toss it. Too much standard brass around.

 

[Hastings]

What was the reason behind Hornady going with a shorter case? Were they trying to balance bullet design, bullet seat depth, and case-fill in order to get the extra 100+ fps out of the cartridge, or were they simply expressing their individuality in a really misguided way?

I've experienced very small case length variations in 45colt, 44mag, and 45acp cases from different makers, but the Hornady stuff is significantly shorter. Is this just an attempt to get people to buy their reloading dies and proprietary powder? They might as well call it a 47-68, or 45-70 special.

 

[rcmodel]

The rubber tip spitzer FTX bullet is longer then the typical RNFP lead or jacketed bullets used in lever-actions.

The case has to be shortened to make the OAL the right length to feed in a lever-action.

rc