Lee handpress with .45-70??

[alnitak]

I only have the Lee handpress, which I've been using for 9mm, .357/.38 and .44 spl/.44mag. Can I just buy the .45-70 dies and us the handpress, or will the longer case length make resizing too difficult to do by hand? Also, do you recommend the Lee Factory Crimp Die for the .45-70 (I use the FCD for all my other cartridges)?

[shawn45]

I used the hand press for 45-70's until I set up for them on my Dillon. I use the factory crimp also. I still load 308;s and 30-06's on the hand press when I don't want to set up the RCBS press.

[Grizzly Adams]

I have used the Lee handpress successfully for many years to load for the 45-70. I really see no need for anything else! I also use the FC die.

[O.S.O.K.]

As said - no problemo.

These are straight-cased (OK, slight taper) and size rather easily if properly lubed.

[Blaine]

I have a nice turret press in the bedroom, but no TV....Soooo, I use the hand press, and dippers for my loading these days, including the 45-70. I cannot tell the difference, tho I'm sure that the dippers are not as precise as the Powder Thrower or the Scale. If you practice with the scale for a couple min every session, you can get amazingly close powder consistancy!!

[Asherdan]

No problem at all. I've run a couple thousand that way using Lee dies, including the FCD.

[Old Ironsights]

I have always been leary of using my hand press on long straight-walled cartridges... preferring my Classic Lee Loader (hammer time) for the .45-70.

The guys above seem to like it, but I prefer the hand press for pistol cartridges or neck-sized-only (bottleneck) cartridges.

I guess it really comes down to... I hate lubing cases and pistol dies come in carbide.

[Ysabel Kid]

I have a nice turret press in the bedroom, but no TV....Soooo, I use the hand press, and dippers for my loading these days, including the 45-70. I cannot tell the difference, tho I'm sure that the dippers are not as precise as the Powder Thrower or the Scale. If you practice with the scale for a couple min every session, you can get amazingly close powder consistancy!!

Whoa - hand to read your response twice. I was afraid you were discussing a hand press in the bedroom, and figured that was a mite too personal for this site!!!

[Lanyard Stretcher]

I used the Lee Handpress & powder dippers for 20 years. I loaded 30-06, 7mm Mag, 45-70, .223, .357, 41 mag, 30-30, 45 ACP. It will work well for you .


Mike

[Modoc ED]

I don't own a .45-70 but I do use the Lee Hand Press along with Lee Dies and the Lee Factory Crimp Die for 90% of my .444 Marlin reloading. They work great and as others have said, there shoud be no problem using them for .45-70.

[Griff]

I have a Lee Handloader™ but mostly use it mainly for decapping my BP loads. Sometimes I'll use it for loading BP rounds in brass I've prepared on my RCBS and primed. I've tried sizing my .40-90SBN cases, but... I'm a weakling, it's way more exercise than I like! Maybe if I did it more often... it wouldn't seem more like WORK than simple exercise!

[Noah Zark]

I've loaded lots of 45-70 with both the Lee Handpress and the HDS Compac press. Both presses are very handy to use.

Noah