45-70 starline brass question

backyardtndeer

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Looking at loading some 45-70 for a new marlin lever gun. I was looking at the starline site and it says it is recommended to anneal their new brass. I don't have an annealer, hornady doesn't mention a need for their brass to be annealed. Would prefer the starline, but not sure. Thoughts or suggestions?
 
I've been using it for years, with Ruger #1 level loads, and have never had an issue. One thing I do is not allow the resizing die to overwork the brass. Most standard dies reduce neck diameter to .010" or more below bullet diameter. I only run the brass into the full length die far enough to size the neck .005" below bullet diameter. I still use a neck expander to lightly open the mouth unless loading a boat tail bullet.
 
I'm running Starline in my 1895. You only need to anneal if running light trapdoor loads. Jlane is correct in that sizing dies will size down quite a bit. I'm using standard Redding dies and they do that. I do plan on annealing the brass. Starline is excellent brass and far better than hornady in my opinion.

Lastly, .45-70 loads run from mild to wild. Pay attention to pressure specs in your load books. Don't use Ruger #1 loads. I find more me that a 300 gr slug running ~2K fps is all I want. It can do plenty more but not needed for anything around here.

Lastly, use a good crimp. I like the Lee Factory Crimp die. I crimp separate from seating.
 

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