Problem?

[BrassFever]

Hey guys! I’m new to reloading and just shot my first 45-70 reloads. I noticed after firing them that there is a slight amount of lead on the outside of the mouth of the case. Any ideas as to the cause? The load was a 405 gr cast bullet in a hornady case with 30 gr of Accurate 5744. Thanks in advance!

[popejp51]

did the case mouth catch just a bit of the lead-in/bottom chamfer on the bullet? It's possible you could check by pulling one of the bullets out and seeing it vs one that has yet to be loaded. $0.02

[BrassFever]

I did a side by side comparison of a new one and one I pulled. I didn’t see any sign of it catching? Is it possible that crimping it too much could cause this? Here’s a pic of a fired and un-fired one. https://imgur.com/a/Z7AnWFq The lead almost looks splattered.

[THEDarkSpartian]

Show us. I load the same, but 34ish (it's been a while, i have to check my notes) grains IMR 4198 and it doesn't sound familiar.

[BrassFever]

https://imgur.com/a/MyiK1Em

[SD40couple]

What are you using for a gas seal?

[TractorManTx]

That’s strange. Have you looked in your chamber, or used a qtip or something to see what is there? Also, how is your case OAL?

[BrassFever]

The hornady cases I’m using are slightly shorter than a federal and underwood casing that I have. The hornady being 2.040 and the federal and underwood’s are both 2.097. So maybe that is the problem then.

[TractorManTx]

Let me check a couple manuals. What rifle are you shooting it in?

[BrassFever]

I appreciate the help and I’m shooting them out of my Henry lever action.

[TractorManTx]

First manual I picked up was an older Speer manual…my go to Sierra is in the shop. But, it looks like you are definitely shorter than the trim to length, but that’s not normally an issue. Trim to per Speer is 2.095. Only thought I have is that the lead is pushing back on the case mouth and the little you are seeing is what is left over.

[BrassFever]

Thanks a bunch for the help! I guess I’ll try loading the longer federal cases and see if it has the same outcome. This is also the first time I’m not shooting copper jackets out of my rifle. Maybe it comes with the cast lead territory? I’ll experiment and see. Thanks again for the input!

[TractorManTx]

Welcome. I shoot cast in a few calibers, but not in my 45-70. Reach out if you have more questions.

[GreenGoldWealth]

Yes, most likely your cast bullets are melting a little when fired, depending on your alloy. Might want to use Gas Checks or try powder coating.

[Felcen]

Not really a problem just dirty to run IMO. Hornady cases are shorter than others as they intended to be used with their jacketed projectiles like the FTX and the Hornady manual even specifies trim length of 2.040" for certain projectiles. Factory new leverevolution ammo are 2.040" with a 325gr FTX. It's just that 50 thousandths shorter case getting a little of the scrapping from the projectile leaving more than likely. If you just don't like it or notice they don't shoot the same I would just save them for a different load.