I am new to reloading, and I've been reloading a few months now. I'm reloading .45-70 rounds. This time around I'm using .405 gr Laser cast bullets, in leverevelution once fired brass. My dies are RCBS .45-70 three die set.

This time when I wanted to do, as the last step, the roll crimp on the seater die it will not crimp. It just lower the bullet futher down in the case and it not do the crimp. I have not had this problem before. I've used .350 grain bullets. 300 grain nosler bullers. and this particular . .405 gr cast bullet in remington brass and winchester brass with no problem. I'm really frustrated at this point. Can you guys give me any clues here? I have read and re-read the directions. it must be me but I can not figure out what I'm doing wrong.

HELP?

Did you COMPLETELY unscrew the seater screw before crimping? Are you sure that the inside of the die is perfectly clean from any bullet lube build-up? Anyway you can always try to first seat your bullets, remove the bullet seater and then crimp. I bet that you will succeed.

Thanks Wildboar,

I tried and did as you said . I cleaned the inside of the die, took out the seater screw and ran the die all the way down and nothing it does not crimp. Could the brass be too short?

.45-70 brass should be 2.105 long and .480 dia at the top. The Hornady leverevolution brass is 2.035 l anmd the top dia with bullet seated is .482 dia. Could this make a difference?

I think that the brass is too short; I don't understand why Hornady makes those cases so short. Sorry but I fear that you have to discard them.

P.S. Probably Hornady makes those cases shorter to allow them to crimp the leverevolution bullets without exceeding the SAAMI cartridge overal lenght; leverevolution bullets are very likely longer that the usual flat point bullets.

Call Hornady and complain of their short brass lenght. See if they offer to replace themor can help you get the ones you have to work. Their contact ph number or tech E-mail should be on their web site.

sounds like your brass is too short to crimp in your dies. If you're loading mild loads you might try a couple without a crimp and see what they do.

The Hornady brass is manufactured shorter to use the longer pointy bullet. You just need to forget crimping or get longer brass. Only other thing I can think of is cut off the bottom of your seater die so it will crimp.

Thanks guys. I agree the brass it too short. I just will not use it any more. I'll stay with winchester and starline brass.

Thanks for all the help

Best Regards to all.
Jim