45-70 starline brass question

backyardtndeer

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.
 
Thanks for the replies. I went on and ordered starline yesterday. They sew backordered but probably will ship within less than 2 weeks.
vonb said:
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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Haven't bought dies yet, was going to go with hornady custom 3 die set, but haven't ordered yet. Good to know on sizing. Also good to know on the crimp. The manual i have been looking at, hornady, gives data specifically for lever guns.

Most likely going to load 250's.
 
Be aware that you can't use pointy bullets with full length brass as the coal will be too long. Hornady uses shortened brass with the ftx bullet. I like the Hornady #4500 hollow point in standard length brass

If you have some short brass, the 300gr Barnes ttsx is devastating.
 
jlanecr500 said:
Be aware that you can't use pointy bullets with full length brass as the coal will be too long. Hornady uses shortened brass with the ftx bullet.
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Thank you. I saw that in the bold red lettering in my manual. I may trim 50 down to start with. I did buy 20 rounds of the hornady factory loads 250 Ftx, so I will have a few. I may also try those 300 gr hp's, that's the next load data that my manual gives.
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backyardtndeer said:
Thank you. I saw that in the bold red lettering in my manual. I may trim 50 down to start with. I did buy 20 rounds of the hornady factory loads 250 Ftx, so I will have a few. I may also try those 300 gr hp's, that's the next load data that my manual gives.
View attachment 265117
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48.5grs IMR4198 with 300's is great from my Guide Gun.

1985fps and excellent accuracy
 
348Winchester said:
IMR4198 is a great powder for 45-70. Do you know where any might be avsilable?
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Buckhorn in Oneida did have a few pounds but I've not checked in a few weeks.

Crabtree Gun Repair and Sales in Winfield used to carry 4198 as well.
 

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