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None. Honestly and like ireload2 noted below, the cartridge is about as straightforward at it gets. I bet your CVA is very close to the SAAMI spec; my Marlin 1895G needed fat bullets (.460 ~ .461") and heavy bullets (425 & 525-grains) gave the cases a "snake swallowing a rabbit" appearance. Still, cases never failed, but maybe the die is available for a situation like this that where a fat throated rifle simply fireforms the brass, and the die sizes the neck and web and leaves it at that. That's what I thought of it when I looked at it on the website, but with the question; what size is the mandrill and how much does it cost for a different size if it isn't fat?klr wrote:Interesting. My brother just bought a CVA Hunter in 45-70, and neither of us have ever shot/reloaded a 45-70 before. He bought the regular Lee dies with the powder thru expander. What issues should I be looking out for?
Thanks, not many out there. Concerning the die, just looking at it as a neck sizer like the Collet dies I use with my other bolt actions.klr wrote:BTW, awesome rifle.
Greetings ireload2 and welcome to the forum. Yeah, I was too dramatic with the thought of a new tool (toy)! I've done a bunch of 45-70 Govt shooting, even pressure testing, and not have I had a case fail. My current levergun is a Rossi Rio Grande which they cut to the SAAMI spec, so it's .456" groove only needs a .457" ~ .458" cast bullet. A novel idea on Rossi's part after a decade and half of working with the JM Marlins. Even with a bullet like the Beartooth Pile Drivers (525-grain), sized at .457", the cartridge has a sleek tapered appearance and will probably last until they are ejected and lost on a hunt. I do anneal my brass on a three to five shot cycle.ireload2 wrote:There are no case life issues with 45-70 brass.
I have owned and shot over a dozen 45-70s since 1972. I have about 1000 cases some which have been fired over 30 times in 7 or 8 different rifles. I have only had 4 cases crack due to excessive sizing.
Not related to the die, but you might want to watch this video about shooting a pump gun with a heavy slug load. Sounds crazy, but pay particular attention to the setup for recoil and the rotation of your forearm grip. All this is about 2:45 into the video. The reason I bring this up is I had a CVA Hunter chambered in 35 Rem. These are very light rifles and that 35 Rem with heavy bullets would rotate right out of your grip. It didn't jump with the recoil, it rolled. If you shot it off a forend bag without gripping it, at the shot, it would be laying on its side on the bench. I could actually feel the bullet rotating down the barrel. The info is also important with heavy recoil rifles and pump guns. I'm going to a make a guess that the info will make a difference with the groups from my Savage 170s as well (pump guns).klr wrote:Interesting. My brother just bought a CVA Hunter in 45-70 and neither of us have ever shot/reloaded a 45-70 before.
Very true, I had the Rossi Wizard in 45-70 Govt and I rechambered a 44 Mag barrel to 444 Marlin. You hand to hang on to both.Ohio3Wheels wrote:Just like the Wizard in 45-70. The torque is felt as much as the recoil.