Mastering the .50-70 Government: A Comprehensive Guide to Reloading Dies

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Understanding .50-70 Government Reloading Dies

The venerable .50-70 Government cartridge holds a unique place in firearms history. Born from the need for a powerful and effective round during the American frontier era, this cartridge quickly became a standard, leaving its mark on military rifles and civilian hunting alike. Even today, enthusiasts appreciate the .50-70 for its impressive ballistics, historical significance, and the rewarding experience of crafting their own ammunition. Reloading your own .50-70 cartridges allows for incredible precision, the satisfaction of connecting with history, and significant cost savings compared to buying factory ammunition. This comprehensive guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge and expertise to select, use, and master the art of reloading dies for the .50-70 Government.

Types of Dies for the .50-70 Cartridge

Reloading die sets aren’t one-size-fits-all. Several options exist, each with its own advantages and specific use cases.

Full-Length Sizing Dies: These dies perform a comprehensive overhaul of the brass case. They resize the entire case body and neck, ensuring that it fits perfectly in the chamber of your rifle. This is the preferred choice for many reloaders, especially those using multiple rifles or working with brass from different manufacturers. Full-length sizing is essential when using the same brass in several rifles, as each rifle’s chamber will be unique. It also ensures reliable functioning in lever-action firearms, which may be less forgiving of slightly oversized cases. When utilizing brass that has been previously fired in another rifle, a full-length sizing die is the correct way to prepare the case for use in your firearm. Many popular brands make high-quality full length dies specifically for the .50-70 Government cartridge.
Neck Sizing Dies: Neck sizing dies are an alternative to the full-length sizing. These dies only resize the neck of the brass case, leaving the body of the case largely untouched. This approach offers benefits such as extended brass life and potentially improved accuracy. Neck sizing is well-suited for bolt-action rifles where the brass will consistently be fired in the same chamber. By only sizing the neck, the brass is worked less, thus extending the overall case life. This method also often leads to enhanced accuracy, as the resized neck centers the bullet more consistently.
Body Dies: Body dies are designed to work on the case body itself. They can be used to correct cases that have been unintentionally expanded by the action of firing and resizing. This is helpful in cases where a full-length sizing die isn’t sufficient to return the brass to the desired dimensions.
Specialty Dies: Certain reloading dies are tailored for specific purposes. You might encounter dies designed specifically for seating long bullets or for achieving specific crimping profiles. These specialty dies add extra options to the reloading process and are particularly useful if you want to maximize the accuracy of your .50-70 loads.

Components of a Reloading Die Set

Typically, a reloading die set for the .50-70 Government consists of several dies, each playing a crucial role in the process.

Full-Length Sizing Die: This die performs the critical task of reshaping the fired case. It squeezes the brass to its original dimensions, ensuring that the case will properly chamber in your rifle.
Expander/Decapping Die: These dies typically come in a combined design. As the case is pulled up, the pin pushes the used primer out, and a mandrel expands the case neck to accept the new bullet.
Seating Die: The seating die is responsible for accurately seating the bullet into the case. It carefully guides the bullet into the case mouth at the proper depth, creating a snug fit. This ensures the bullet is seated securely, but not over-crimped, which could affect accuracy.
Crimping Die (if separate): A crimp is added to help secure the bullet in place. Crimping is often included in the seating die, however some sets provide a dedicated die for this specific purpose, especially those designed for black powder cartridges. It ensures the bullet does not move during the firing sequence.

Choosing the Right .50-70 Reloading Dies

Making the right choices regarding your reloading dies is essential for a good reloading experience. several factors need to be considered.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Dies

Several factors influence the selection of the appropriate .50-70 reloading dies.

Rifle Type: Your rifle’s action type plays a vital role. Bolt-action rifles may benefit from neck sizing, while lever-action rifles typically require full-length sizing for reliable cycling.
Brass Quality: New brass generally requires less manipulation than previously fired cases. Using brass from different manufacturers might make full-length sizing a necessity.
Desired Accuracy: Neck sizing can give slightly better accuracy for bolt-action rifles. Determine what level of precision you seek in your ammunition.
Reloading Experience: Beginners might find the simpler process of full-length sizing easier to master. Experienced reloaders often prefer the added control provided by neck sizing.
Budget: Prices for reloading dies vary among the various brands. Determining your price range before you start shopping helps narrow down your choices.

Popular .50-70 Reloading Die Brands

Several reputable brands provide high-quality reloading dies. Each brand has its strengths and offers die sets to fit a variety of needs and budgets.

Lee Precision: Lee Precision offers a great combination of affordability and practicality. Lee dies are often a solid choice for those getting started in reloading due to their ease of use and lower price point.
RCBS: RCBS is a well-respected name in reloading, known for its durable and reliable products. RCBS dies provide excellent value and are often a good middle-ground option. They’re known for long-lasting quality and ease of use.
Redding: Redding dies are often the preferred choice for reloaders seeking maximum precision and customization. Redding offers top-tier dies that offer exceptional performance and often include more adjustability than other brands.
Lyman: Lyman has a long and established history in the reloading world and offers a range of reliable and user-friendly dies. Lyman dies provide excellent value for the cost, and are built to last.

Where to Purchase .50-70 Reloading Dies

Once you’ve decided on a die set, you can find these tools from several different sources.

Local Gun Shops: Local gun shops are a good place to start. They can provide hands-on advice.
Online Retailers: Online retailers like MidwayUSA and Brownells offer a vast selection of dies.
Tips for Finding the Best Prices: Comparing prices across different retailers is often the best way to locate the most competitive offers. Consider the cost of shipping and other charges when making your final choice.

Essential Reloading Steps and Tips for .50-70

Once you have your chosen reloading dies, it is time to begin the process of preparing ammunition. The .50-70 cartridge is usually loaded using basic steps that will help you achieve the results you seek.

Brass Preparation

Preparing the brass is an essential part of reloading for any cartridge. Proper brass preparation ensures that the ammunition is safe and works properly.

Cleaning Brass: Cleaning is an important first step. Dirty brass can negatively affect the resizing process. The best methods typically involve using a rotary tumbler or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Sizing and Decapping: This is where the full-length sizing die performs its primary task. As the brass is inserted into the die, the neck and body are resized. The decapping pin removes the spent primer.
Trimming: Trimming ensures that all of the cases have consistent lengths, which will ensure consistent pressure when firing. Consistent case lengths are critical for accuracy. Use a case trimmer to trim brass to the recommended specifications found in your loading manual.
Chamfering and Deburring: After trimming, the case mouths need to be chamfered and deburred to allow for easier bullet seating and ensure the case mouth isn’t too sharp.
Primer Pocket Cleaning: Clean primer pockets ensure the new primer can seat properly and produce consistent ignition.

Powder and Primer Selection

Choosing the proper powders and primers is crucial for safe and effective loading of the .50-70 cartridge.

Types of Powders: The .50-70 Government can be loaded with either black powder or smokeless powders. Black powder loads offer a traditional experience, while smokeless loads offer greater consistency and velocity with the same level of care.
Recommended Primers: Select large rifle primers for your loads.
Load Data Considerations: Always adhere to load data from reputable sources, like reloading manuals from major powder manufacturers or from verified online resources. Deviating from published data can be dangerous.

Bullet Selection

The .50-70’s large bore allows for a wide range of bullet weights.

Bullet Weight Range: Bullet weights generally range from 400 to 600 grains.
Bullet Types: Options include lead bullets, jacketed bullets, and bullets specifically designed for black powder.

Seating and Crimping

The final steps in loading include seating and crimping.

Seating the Bullet: Adjust the seating die to seat the bullet at the correct depth and to the correct overall cartridge length.
Crimping Techniques: For black powder loads, a roll crimp is often employed. Smokeless loads may use a taper crimp.
Case Inspection and Measurement: Inspect the loaded rounds for visual consistency and measure the overall length to verify that the loads are uniform.

Safe Reloading Practices

Safety must always be the top priority when reloading.

Always follow established load data.
Use reliable reloading tools and equipment.
Double-check your measurements.

Troubleshooting .50-70 Reloading

Reloading can sometimes present unexpected issues. Understanding some of the most common problems and how to fix them can help.

Difficult Case Extraction: This can be caused by over-sizing the brass, over-crimping or an over-charged cartridge. Make sure your cases are properly prepared.
Short Case Life: Short case life can be caused by overworking the brass during the sizing process. Neck sizing can help to extend brass life.
Inconsistent Accuracy: Inaccurate ammunition is typically due to inconsistencies in the loading process. The bullet seating depth, case trim length, and powder charges must be consistent.
Failure to Fire: This can be caused by several factors, including improper priming, a faulty primer, or an incorrect seating depth.

Conclusion

Selecting the right reloading dies and understanding the loading process is the key to enjoying your .50-70 Government cartridge and obtaining consistently high-quality ammunition. Reloading for the .50-70 allows you to create ammunition that performs to your specific needs, whether it’s for hunting, target shooting, or simply enjoying the history of this impressive cartridge. Remember to approach reloading with care and to prioritize safety at all times. Now go forth and enjoy the process of crafting your own .50-70 ammunition!

Resources

Refer to reputable reloading manuals and online resources such as the manuals published by the powder manufacturers like Hodgdon and others. These provide excellent information on reloading techniques.