.45-70 cast vs. jacketed of the same weight

[presspuller]

I was about to start loading for my 45-70 No. 1 using 405gr cast bullets and IMR3031. But looking through all my books the only load data I can find for this bullet weight is for a jacketed bullet. The closest cast load is either 385gr or 420gr.
Where can I start? IMR doesn't even show this powder for this caliber on their website.
Thanks guys.

 

[dirtman]

Lyman 49th shows imr 4198 @ 40. - 44.5 for 1881 fps
H322 @ 47. -53. for 1909 fps
sr 4759 @ 30. - 34. for 1743fps
rx7 46.-51. 1996fps
N 130 @ 46.-51. 2009fps

these are all for ruger # 1 with 405 #2 alloy
have fun

 

[dirtman]

found 3031 for trap door at 405 cast 34.grn - 38.5 1352fps 16000cup... sure you could work that load up....

 

[cat_IT_guy]

I've had good luck running cast 405s over 3031 in my Henry. Plenty energetic for me at about 1700fps with the max load (per lee manual) safe for all healthy guns (opposed to lever only or Ruger only) of 48.5grns. As usual, even with published loads work up to max.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can safely use the data for a 420gr Cast Bullet with a 405gr Cast bullet.
Since the heavier bullet will use less powder.

If you feel safer using data for a 405gr Cast Bullet and 3031 it's available on the Hodgdon Load Data Site. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

 

[cpt-t]

I was about to start loading for my 45-70 No. 1 using 405gr cast bullets and IMR3031. But looking through all my books the only load data I can find for this bullet weight is for a jacketed bullet. The closest cast load is either 385gr or 420gr.
Where can I start? IMR doesn't even show this powder for this caliber on their website.
Thanks guys.

presspuller: My Son and I are real 45-70 fans, and we have several and reload for them as well. The load we use in all of them 95% of the time is a 405gr LRNFP cast bullet and 35grs of IMR3031. This gives us between 1250fps & 1350fps. We Pig & Deer Hunt, Cowboy Action Shoot, Shoot Steel & Paper Targets, and use as a Walk Around Plinking round. This is just, a all round comfortable load for us, that you can shoot all day and still enjoy it.
ken

 

[presspuller]

You can safely use the data for a 420gr Cast Bullet with a 405gr Cast bullet.
Since the heavier bullet will use less powder.

If you feel safer using data for a 405gr Cast Bullet and 3031 it's available on the Hodgdon Load Data Site. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

Thanks for the info, I was looking under the "modern rifle" and they don't list 3031 there.

 

[presspuller]

presspuller: My Son and I are real 45-70 fans, and we have several and reload for them as well. The load we use in all of them 95% of the time is a 405gr LRNFP cast bullet and 35grs of IMR3031. This gives us between 1250fps & 1350fps. We Pig & Deer Hunt, Cowboy Action Shoot, Shoot Steel & Paper Targets, and use as a Walk Around Plinking round. This is just, a all round comfortable load for us, that you can shoot all day and still enjoy it.
ken

I am fairly new to reloading for a rifle so forgive my ignorance, but from what I can find 35grs is well below the minimum, does this not cause an issue?

 

[briankk]

If you have a strong gun, I don't think you can get enough 3031 in the case to hurt it, using cast 405g gr. I usually load it compressed for my Siamese Mauser. When I want it a bit more sporty, I go to 4198, but I don't have my load data at hand, won't guess at loading.. I usually top off the 4198 loads with a layer of grex, BTW..

Load your .45/70 to 1800 fps with 405 gr cast bullets, you will likely notice when it goes off..

 

[cpt-t]

presspuler: My Son and I got this load from an old Hunter that was a 45-70 shooting fanatick. We have been using 405gr LRNFP cast bullets and 35grs of IMR3031 for all of our 45-70 Rifles for the last 20+ years. And we shoot our 45-70`s a lot and have never experienced any problems what so ever with this load. What I have found was that we got full penetration end for end, or side to side on any good sized deer or pig we have ever shot with this load. And have never lost an animal we have shot with it. Most of the pigs or deer are DRT or within yards of where we had shot them. The first real pig hunt we went on with our 45-70`s , was in northeastern Texas years ago and I forgot to pack my Son's hot Carbon and Garrett 45-70 ammo, that He was sure He would need. And this load was all we had to shoot. Needless to say my Son was really upset with me. But we had to use what I had packed. And my Son had 3 good sized pigs on the ground before dark the first afternoon. So I got back in His good graces before dark also. Like I said this is a very accurate load for us and it is very comfortable to shoot all day long.
ken

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I used to load 4198 with cast bullets until I tried AA5744 and now that's all I use with cast bullets. When I load a jacketed bullet in the 45-70 I like IMR3031. I load for an original Trapdoor rifle and a Marlin levergun.

 

[cpt-t]

ArchAngelCD: I just inherited an original Trapdoor Rifle from the best Shooting Pardner, other than my Son I ever had. And I can`t remember Him ever shooting this rifle, with me anyway. We will truly miss Him. It is a 32 1/2 inch barreled Rifle or I think they actually call them a Musket, not the Carbine Model. It is in outstanding almost like new condition and is just drop dead gorgeous, to me any way. I have yet to shoot it, I hope to maybe shoot it some time this week. But my Wife's health has failed and I can't leave her by herself very long any more. And that really limits me going to the Shooting Range much anymore. BTW I stopped at a Estate Sale a few days ago, and I found in a storage shed a box with 5 plastic 1lb bottles of AA5744 in it. One bottle was 1/2 full but the other Four are still sealed. It was the last day of the sale and they sold them to me for $10.00. So I will be trying some AA5744 in the near future. What AA5744 load do you use in your Original Trapdoor.
ken

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That is a great price for powder but even better for AA5744. It us usually more expensive than other powders.

My current Trapdoor load is made with mixed 45-70 brass, a CCI-200 primer and a 405gr Cast Bullet over a charge of 29.0gr AA5744. That load is accurate in my rifle and comes from Lyman under their 45-70 Trapdoor load data.

The bullets are BHN 18 and from Missouri Bullets.
http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=81&category=6&secondary=&keywords=

I hope this helps a little.