[Big Boomer]

I am just about to purchase my 45/70 in a marlin 1895 cowboy with the octagon barrel and will be getting some dies here shortly.

The question I have is I have seen 2 sets of dies one brown box RCBS that says "Cowboy" on it and the normal steel ones in the green box.

I am actually interested in some of the grey boxed ones if they exist. Can't remember what they are called now but I use them for my pistols (you don't have to lube them) just having a brain fart and can't bring it out.

In addition can you use 458 lott dies to do 45/70? Been thinking of picking one of those up down the road...anyhow.

Carbide was what I was looking for! Doesn't seem RCBS makes them though...

[rcmodel]

The "Cowboy" dies include an expander button & seater die designed to work better with cast lead bullets only.

Carbide dies like you want are not available in 45-70 because it has a tapered case and a full-length carbide insert that big would be very cost prohibitive.

For the same tapered case reason, the belted .458 Lott dies would not work for 45-70 either. The Lott is almost 3/4" longer and several thousandth larger in diameter at the base of the case in front of the belt then the 45-70.
They would only partially size the neck of a 45-70, maybe?
And the seater/crimper die would not work at all.

BTW: You will need to lube the big 45-70 cases regardless of what die set you end up getting, even if you could get Carbide.

rcmodel

[snuffy]

If by "grey box" you are referring to carbide, then there's no carbide dies made for 45/70. Well, maybe somebody makes them, but you'd still have to lube the cases, so why spend a couple hundred bucks for a carbide sizer.

I don't know what the difference is in the "cowboy" dies, just get the green box and be done with it.

No, the 450 lott dies are enough different so as to NOT work for 45/70.