45/70 Contender Load

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Harleytoo

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So, I suspect I know the answer to this question, but I am was going through my guns thinning out and ran across my old Contender in 45/70 with a 10 Hunter barrel.

I used to love shooting this from time to time, but that was back when I was younger and dumber. Regardless I still remember I could only put about 3-5 rounds through it before my hand went numb.

Today, I don't even shoot that much 45 ACP or 45 LC because I prefer the softer recoil of 9mm.

Yea, I got old and soft.

The other issue is I don't want to create a flinch just to keep this around.

Does anyone know of a decent light load for the 45/70 I might try?

Or should I just cinch up my skirt and sell it?
 
If you want to shoot your old friend and not have your hand go numb you can shoot Trapdoor loads through it.

I would suggest a 300gr Cast Bullet over AA5744 or 4198. 32gr of 4198 under a 300gr Cast Bullet will generate no more pressure than a .38 Special. 25.0gr of AA5744 under the same bullet will deliver similar results and maybe more accuracy.
Here is a good bullet: http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=159&category=6

They also have a 405gr Cast Bullet you can load with the same powders but of course the heavier bullet will generate slightly more felt recoil.

Don't forget the range report, good luck.
 
Thanks guys, this is encouraging. I really hated to get rid of the old girl, she has been berry, berry good to me and she is gorgeous to boot.

Which of those powders should I focus on as I will need to go get some?

h1DYQqI.jpg
 
I'd start with Trail Boss. The minimum load starts at 1,200 fps from a 24" barrel with 300gr bullets. In a rifle it's a puff load. Another option is Unique along with some filler. I've shot some that other guys have loaded for CAS with their rifles for side matches and they're really powder puff type loads as far as recoil.
 
I would not use a filler. Even Lyman, which used to recommend fillers, stopped recommending them decades ago. Too many ringed chambers have been attributed to fillers in straightwalled cartridges; it doesn't happen to everyone but the risk is there. I prefer BlueDot over Unique as the former is less position sensitive and fills the case better, but any powder which does not fill the case can be position sensitive.

Since the OP is just target shooting a handgun, he can tip the barrel up for each shot, making Unique without a filler perform great. And with no risk of damaging the barrel.


.
 
No, no filler needed. Don't get me wrong, there are A LOT of powders that can be use in the 45-70 but those are the ones I like best now. I used to also like IMR SR4759 but that is now gone.

There are at least a dozen powders I know of that have been used in the 45-70.

Unique, 2400, IMR SR4759, RL-7, both 4198, both 4895, Trail Boss, H335, H322, IMR 3031, Varget, Benchmark and probably others but we all know just because we can doesn't mean we have to lol.

I have tried many but like SR4759, 2400, 4198 and now AA5744 best. 3031 works well with heavier loads using a jacketed bullet too used in a levergun.
 
We all get older and maybe wiser, but no need to apologize. I use to barefoot water ski, do black diamond down hill, and did scuba dives to depths greater than 100 feet. I survived them all and now spend more time fishing, riding around on a pontoon, and camping trips in my travel trailer and watch that other stuff on TV on Sat afternoons.

Shooting should not be a painful, I can hold my breath for 3 minutes, kind of thing. Suggest you put the 45-70 on the mantle and shoot something you can enjoy rather than try to imagine the thrill you felt when you were younger. Or chose one of the milder rounds that others have mentioned.
 
Oh Yea, Bassdog, I got nothing to prove. I want to find a light paper punching load. I will probably try building some AA5744 loads to see how they are.
 
Harleytoo said:
Oh Yea, Bassdog, I got nothing to prove. I want to find a light paper punching load. I will probably try building some AA5744 loads to see how they are.
Click to expand...
According to Accurate and Western Powders this is the data:
Trapdoor load to 19,000 PSI
300gr Cast Bullet AA5744 25.0gr to 29.5gr

Lyman 50th Edition
Trapdoor load to 18,000 CUP
300gr Cast Bullet #457191 - AA5744 - 29.0gr to 33.0gr

Don't forget the range report.
 
I have used very light charges of Unique with 300 grain lead bullets that were pretty light. There are lots of sights that give those options. I used a wad of toilet paper to hold the powder in the base. Small amount of powder is a huge case. Did not use a filler.
 
How about trying H4895 and using Hodgdon's reduced load formula of multiplying the max load by 60% (0.6) and work up from there. The only thing is you have to use H4895 NOT IMR. Check it out on Hodgdon's Web site. Good luck.
 
Thanks guys, all very helpful.

As soon as I can source some powder and get these loaded and tested I will provide a range report.
 
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It looks like, looking at what you guys posted and what I have found that using AA5744 I should do load work ups from 25-30 grains.

Now, if I can just find the powder!
 
Harleytoo said:
It looks like, looking at what you guys posted and what I have found that using AA5744 I should do load work ups from 25-30 grains.

Now, if I can just find the powder!
Click to expand...
I agree, loads using 25.0gr to 30.0gr will work looking for accuracy.

If you have a Cabela's near you they probably have AA5744. Last time I was there I picked up 2 pounds. If worse comes to worse IMR or H4198 can be an alternative.
 
Found some AA5744 at one of my LGS's today. They put it back for me so I could pick it up after work.

When I did I had to remind them that I was not a governmental contractor or a wealthy trust fund type.

But they must have misheard me cause a can of it cost me nearly $50!
 
jeez!

yes, thats my only comment on that price....

beautiful gun, sounds like youve got a good start to getting her shootin again.
 
Harleytoo said:
Found some AA5744 at one of my LGS's today. They put it back for me so I could pick it up after work.

When I did I had to remind them that I was not a governmental contractor or a wealthy trust fund type.

But they must have misheard me cause a can of it cost me nearly $50!
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to say but four some reason AA5744 costs little more than most other powders but I have never seen it for $50. My goodness that's a big price tag alright.

I bought 2 pounds of AA5744 a few months ago at Cabela's and they cost me $37.99 each while other Accurate Powders were $30.99 and Hodgdon/IMR powders were $29.99.

$50? Ouch.
 
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