45-70 ftx
- Thread starter ELBRY
- Start date
LA50SHOOTER
Sworn To Protect The Constitution.
45-70 Gov't headspaces off the RIM. - That being said from a "safety standpoint" No. - You may possibly experience additional wear in the forward part of the chamber due to short brass. 2.095 - 2.100 O.A.L. IMO would be a better measurement for this caliber of brass.
3Sigma
Silver $$ Contributor
I have been looking at a 45-70 lever gun just for fun, and saw the shorter lengths in the Hornaday manual, so I looked further into it a few months ago.
Seems the FTX is a lot longer than normal .458 bullets, and to hit the OAL limit for a lever to function AND have the bullet seat on the bearing surface, they want you to trim .060 or so shorter. The bullet has a cannelure for these purposes as well.
To the OP... .003 should be fine. Most of my manuals list trim lengths that are typically .005 to .010 over min specs. If you crimp on the cannelure you'll just lose a bit of case volume, but you're already doing that with the short trim regardless.
Were these previously trimmed to 2.040?
Seems the FTX is a lot longer than normal .458 bullets, and to hit the OAL limit for a lever to function AND have the bullet seat on the bearing surface, they want you to trim .060 or so shorter. The bullet has a cannelure for these purposes as well.
To the OP... .003 should be fine. Most of my manuals list trim lengths that are typically .005 to .010 over min specs. If you crimp on the cannelure you'll just lose a bit of case volume, but you're already doing that with the short trim regardless.
Were these previously trimmed to 2.040?
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
The answer is no. 3Sigma pointed it out. I had a problem when I first loaded for my 45/70. Winchester 1886 with a tubular magazine. I shot and reloaded 60 cases. Then I bought some Hornady ammo with the heavier bullets. When I started reloading it, I noticed they were shorter. “Everyone says” to trim all your brass to the same length, so I trimmed off almost an eighth inch from my older cases. When I went to crimp my loaded rounds (highly recommended for a boomer with a tubular magazine), the brass was too short for my die to crimp them. I have learned much since then. Now, I have two lots of brass. One for my single shot Ruger#1 and one for my 1886.
Your only issue will be to watch for a carbon ring. The slightly shorter cases may enhance the build up.
Your only issue will be to watch for a carbon ring. The slightly shorter cases may enhance the build up.
I ran into this when I was developing a plinking load for my 45-70 to practice for deer season and running targets. Trying to use the same brass for everything, and as everyone already mentioned, Hornady FTX brass needs to be shorter. That lead me down the road of picking Barnes TSX bullets. Half my group uses one, half the other. They both kill equally well, and group equally well.
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Originally it was called the 45 caliber 2 1/10" so 2.1" is the max length.. I love the 45-70 ( 45-70-500).
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