300 gr 45-70 load data

[Lennyjoe]

Anyone have any decent loads using a 300 grain cast Bobs Bullets in a Marlin 45-70? I have Unique, 3031, Reloader 7 and 8208 XBR.

The LGS had a box of 500 for $60 so I grabbed them to throw on the shelf. Well, now I’m looking to utilize them in some way.

I’m looking to build a decent ~1,500 FPS range load and maybe whitetail round for 100 yds or less.

Lymans gives me some options but I don’t have much of their powder listings besides 3031.

 

[Charlie98]

Hodgdon lists data for a 300grn cast bullet and IMR3031... but the velocities, even with Trapdoor loads, is pushing the upper teens. I actually agree with that... a 300grn bullet scooting along at 1800fps is no slouch, for sure. Given the powders you have... that's where I would go, although I would prefer IMR4198.

Unique is another option... 15grn Unique under that 300grn bullet would probably be right at 1400-1500fps if my guesstimate is close. I would advise putting a tuft of Dacron on top of that powder charge, however.

RL7 would probably work very well, too... it's burn rate puts it right at that AA5744/IMR4198 range, and I'll bet it would do a dandy job... I just don't have any experience with it, and I don't have access to my notes right now to give you an idea of data.

 

[dh1633pm]

Sorry I have a few loads for 300 grain but mostly use AA5744. However the IMR site has some loads for their powders. What ya shooting them out of?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Marlin 1895 22” barrel. I have about 7 lbs of RL 7 I use for the 45-70 with 350 and 405 gr Jacketed bullets for deer and black bear loads but want to ease up on the recoil for some range loads.

 

[Charlie98]

I don’t know how much you can download RL7. If you are looking for a reduced load, you might try the Unique.

 

[ericuda]

47.3 got me around 1500 with coated mbc fp. I went up to 55 and still have a few of them left as they were no fun to shoot. Imo no need for 1500, I'd load them with unique (Can't recall charge) at around 11 or 1200 which is plenty and still fun.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Do you have to use a filler with Unique?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Hornady lists RL-7 with 300 gr jacketed so I’d assume I could start a bit lower and work up for lead.

 

[dh1633pm]

When using Unique, I use toilet paper as filler. I use a nail head to compress it. I don't normally share that load, but it works really great. Light recoil in my 1895G. Why not start with the lowest load of RL7 and work from there?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Why not start with the lowest load of RL7 and work from there?

I think that’s the plan right now. I also have some 5744 inbound and a lb of 3031 in the storage locker on standby.

 

[dh1633pm]

Nice. I load AA5744 in a lot of things to include 45-70 Colt. Please note in revolvers (not many 45-70 models) with AA5744 there are unburned kernels left that might gunk up the works.

 

[Charlie98]

Do you have to use a filler with Unique?

I would... as I mentioned previously. Some people say it's unnecessary, I don't like that small of a charge banging around in that big case. I recommend Dacron filler, looks like dh uses TP... take your pick. NEVER use a rigid filler or wad. Just my .02 worth.

If you are getting AA5744, I probably wouldn't look any further, with the exception of RL7... which I think still might work, too.