45-70 Powder Alternatives

Shooter's World Buffalo Rifle.

I use IMR4198 almost exclusively for my cast rifle loads, including the .45-70. In lieu of 4198, there is AA5744, which is often called THE .45-70 powder.

Slower than IMR3031, would be H4895. Hodgdon allows load reduction with H4895, so it's possible to reduce the charge. Using Hodgdon's data, starting charge of 40grn H4895 under a 405grn cast bullet produces 1425fps from a 24" barrel... and I'll bet that generates some recoil, but if that charge is reduced, I'll bet you could find a reasonable charge to use in a pinch.

For reduced loads I know TrailBoss is recommended because of it's bulkiness, but I have no direct experience with it. I have used Unique... 15grn under a 405grn cast bullet for 1200fps out of my 32" Pedersoli 1885, but I don't load it any longer because I have witnessed a case head blowout with that exact load in someone else's rifle. It is recommended to use a case filler like Dacron when using Unique, but I'm not bothering with it. I've also recently tested 2400, which seemed to work very well; 20grn 2400 under a 385grn cast bullet gave me 1250fps.

I use AA5744, there appears to be a load for everything for it. I have had good luck with AA5744 in 45-70 used in my Guide Gun. It fills the case nicely. Get some unburned in short barrels.

I like the trapdoor loads and rarely go out of that range.

3031 was one of the powders I tried later on because of high recommendations here. Besides it I've used Varget, IMR4064, H335 and Benchmark. And of course black powder for this level. Benchmark was tougher than the others to get accuracy but none of them were hard to figure out.

Found my best load with IMR4064 and mbc's 405 grain lead bullet. Also used their lighter 300 grainer with good results, but prefer the 405 by a good bit.

Lever loads used the same powders plus H322 using mostly 350 gr Hornady Jacketed and 400 grain Speer flat points. Speers are my go to for this level with a Marlin classic 1895, the 4064 and H322 had the best results for me. The 4064, H335 and Varget also worked well on the lower to mid level range of these loads with the 405 grain plain lead bullet used in the trapdoor loads.

I use H4198 for my 300 grain, 350 grain, and 405 grain .45-70 loads. My LGS did not have IMR4198. It (H4198) is the only powder I have used for the .45-70. It worked good, so I kept using it.

I have used both 4198 powders. 3031, Unique, and a few others but my current favorite is AA5744.

A5744 on my sharps works well with 405 grainers.

I’m completely satisfied with RL-7 that i haven’t tried anything else.

Buffalo rifle and 5744.

I use H322 in my "Level" 2 45/70 reloading. I have had wonderful results with it.

My input was for jacketed bullets. Haven’t gone down the lead bullet road yet with my 45-70.