video- Reloading Black powder .45-70

[duelist1954]

I just discovered the fun of video making. I did a three part series on loading .45-70 cartridges with black powder. It includes getting smokeless powder lube off of commercial bullets, lubing and sizing and assembling cartridges.

If you're interested here they are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw3hTfW9hvo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKbbX0DoXwQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15K0keIR2Qc

I'm just learning this stuff, so critiques are graciously accepted

 

[hildo]

Excellent series of video's!
What you do is basicly identical to what I do.
The presentation and information that is given is clear and professional.
Very well done.

Hildo

 

[ClemBert]

Great job! Very nicely done.

I'm still not quite understanding your preference to use a hand priming tool. To each his own I suppose. It just seems like an extra unnecessary step when you have the de-primed brass already sitting in the loading press. Because all you have to do is hit the button on the safety primer to release a primer then push the handle of the press down. Maybe you could elaborate on the benefit of the hand priming tool. With regard to using a separate drop tube from the powder-through expander die here is my solution.



You can see that my drop tube sits right in the powder-through expander die where the funnel would normally sit. The funnel sits on top of the drop tube.

 

[duelist1954]

I like that drop tube. I'm going to set one up like yours.

Thanks!!!

 

[ClemBert]

I made the drop tube for around $6. Just bought a short length of copper pipe and two couplers from ACE Hardware. The bottom coupler that fits in the Lee die is a down sizer coupler. The top coupler that the funnel sits in is a joiner coupler. I put a couple of turns of masking tape on the bottom coupler to make a tight seal into the Lee die.

Still curious about use of the hand primer....





It's nice to see how someone else does it. I especially liked the portion on use of a lubrasizer as I don't own one yet.

 

[arcticap]

He did show that the hand device was easier to manipulate the shells with, handier and has an auto primer feed. A lot of folks like and recommend using one.
Thanks for the dedicated effort in the making all of your videos.
You've performed a great public service and deserve a medal!

 

[Foto Joe]

Great job on the videos. It's stuff like this that someone interested in loading Black Powder Cartridges needs to get started.

 

[Afy]

Why exactly do you use a drop tube? I can get about 65 grains of 3FG Swiss under a 500 Grain Postel.

 

[junkman_01]

Duelist1954,
You are an excellent instructor. Clear, precise well made videos. Bravo!

 

[Foto Joe]

I do have one question. It appears that you're using a Lee with Quick-Change Bushings, but you're not using the bushings. You screwed the dies into the bushing and then have to adjust the die instead of leaving the die in the bushing already preset. Just curious because I love those Quick-Change Bushings!! My biggest problem with them is I keep running out of them. Probably because I'll buy new die set and forget the things.

 

[ClemBert]

He did show that the hand device was easier to manipulate the shells with, handier and has an auto primer feed.

Easier to manipulate THAN WHAT? I'm all for a more efficient and easier way to do things. I'm just trying to understand why the brass needs to be "manipulated"....and what it is handier than. It was never made clear in the video which is why I asked. The only thing I can think of is that the OP does not own a Lee Safety Prime system like what I show in the following pics.





If you have spent brass sitting in your press that is in the process of being de-primed there isn't a need to (1) remove the brass after depriming, then (2) put it in a re-loading block, then (3) later take it out of the reloading block, then (4) put it into a hand primer to add the primer. You have to move the handle of the press down anyways to remove the de-primed/re-sized brass...might as well put the primer in while you are there.

With the Lee Safety Prime system you have an auto feed reservoir than automagically feeds primers to the trigger. So with the brass already sitting in the press for purposes of re-sizing or de-priming you just mash the trigger button (that white thing) and a primer is put in the priming cup. You then move the lever downward to seat the primer. THEN....you remove the primed brass casing and put it in the loading block.

As I was saying I suspect the OP doesn't have the Lee Safety Prime system which means that if he wants to use the priming cup on his press he has to hand feed them. In this case it is possible to contaminate the primer when fumbling to put the primer into the priming cup. If this is the scenario then I can easily see how the hand priming system would be easier to use. I just don't see the OP's process as being easier as compared to using the Lee Safety Prime system. Maybe he'll jump in and explain what I'm missing....

Maybe I should make a video to demonstrate how brass is primed on the Lee press I have.

 

[duelist1954]

Hi Clembert,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.

Actually I do use a Lee Safety prime on my Lee Turret press, as the attached video shows.

As to why I don't use it on the Lee single stage, I guess you can chalk that up to long standing prejudice based on earlier priming systems. Maybe it is time to change, at least on the Lee press.

I have two other single stage presses that I also use on the same bench plate that are not compatible with the Lee safety prime system.

I do most of my reloading on a Dillon progressive press (large primer stuff) and a Lee Turret (small primer stuff). The single stage presses are mostly for small batches of test ammo.

Typically I'll do things like this in stages on the SS presses. I might size a couple of hundred cases in one session and a couple of days later I'll prime them.

Then as I need them I'll load test ammo with what ever charge or bullet I'm testing in 30-round lots.

But the Lee Safety prime is a nice gadget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpST5GI3ZRs

 

[ClemBert]

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the followup. Another great video on the .38 Super. Guess I don't have to make a video on how that Lee Safety Prime system works....yours is excellent.

 

[arcticap]

Easier to manipulate THAN WHAT? I'm all for a more efficient and easier way to do things. I'm just trying to understand why the brass needs to be "manipulated"....and what it is handier than.

The reason why it's handier is because it's so portable that it can be used in any room of the house, even while sitting down and watching TV.
It's easier to maniplulate the brass because the hand priming tool can be tilted into any position so easily with one hand which can make it easier to insert the brass into the shellholder. Plus there isn't any limit to the clearance which can interfere with placing the brass in the shell holder. That's especially helpful considering the limited clearance that some presses offer and the long length of some rifle brass.

This tool is an excellent way to prime. It allows excellent "feel" and you can tell right away when primers are properly seated.
The RCBS hand priming tool is also speedy and convenient to use.

http://www.cabelas.com/rcbs-hand-pr...-921B-E011-8E88-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA

 

[ClemBert]

The reason why it's handier is because it can be used in any room of the house, even while sitting down and watching TV.
It's easier to maniplulate the brass because the hand primimg tool can be tilted into any position so easily with one hand. There isn't any limit to the clearance which can interfere with placing the brass in the shell holder. That's especially helpful considering the limited clearance that some presses offer and the long length of some rifle brass.

Reloading and watching TV!!! Is it a show about reloading?

Brass doesn't need to be manipulated in my house. I'm always honest and straightforward with all my brass. They always know where they stand with me.

Besides, if you used the Lee Safety Prime system your brass would already be primed when you took it out after re-sizing/de-primer then you could give your soap operas your full attention without being distracted by a hand primer.

 

[arcticap]

Some folks like to reload their BP cartridges right at the shooting range.

I also like the part about the "excellent feel" when seating the primer.