Roll crimping a .45-70

[wiiawiwb]

I was watching various hickok45's videos where he is shooting several different .45-70s. In one of those videos, there was a close up of what looked to be handloaded .45-70 rounds in a basket. It looked to this inexperienced eye that there was no crimp at all. I've played and replayed the video.

Below is the video I am speaking of. If you roll forward to 6:08 you will see the close up of the ammo. Are these rounds crimped? I'm curious to see if I am way off base here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRvCC8ugCAw

 

[ljnowell]

When you see the part at the beginning as he is loading the cartridges into the leather loops on the stock, you can see the roll crimp on them.

 

[MEHavey]

I agree that the pile-of-ammo at 06:15 sure doesn't "look" like they're crimped,
But I sure hope they are....

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

The ones in the loops are crimped, I'm sure the others are too if he's shooting them in the Marlin.

Many people don't crimp 45-70 if they are used in a single shot though so I guess it's possible he had some uncrimped.

 

[dh1633pm]

I use a pretty heavy crimp on the Marlin. Just works better than way. Watched the video, they look crimped to me.

 

[Don McDowell]

It's not an uncommon thing for folks loading 45-70's for use in a single shot rifle to not crimp the bullets. Crimp is necessary when loading for tube magazine fed guns tho.

 

[Reloadron]

Stopped the Video around 6:14 I think it was. The rounds in the large tub, at least the one I focused on, looked to have a nice roll crimp on it. This considering my vision is not what it once was, my regular computer died and I am half way to a new build using a backup monitor. All things considered they look to have a nice roll crimp. I did manage to get a still image but right now I can't upload it.

Ron

 

[snuffy]

Oh they're crimped alright, just no too much, just right as far as I can see.

Since the 45-70 uses a 3 die system, similar to revolver cartridges, the second die bells the case. You DO have to cancel that bell with the crimp section of the seating die regardless of whether you're going to use them in a lever gun or SS.

He was using some pretty stout loads, those boolits got to the target in a hurry! Notice that lace on recoil pad? I wish he'd have mentioned what load he was using, like, did he cast them himself, what mold #, powder, amount? Still was fun watching it, that's on my bucket list. I do have 2 45-70's a H&R Springfield Calvary replica, and a NEF buffalo classic.

 

[Reloadron]

They seem to have a nice roll crimp, not overly pronounced but looks to be nicely rolled into the bullet.



Ron

 

[MEHavey]

Must be my eyes.
They sure look straight mouth'd to me.