45/70 load information
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
I usually load only Trapdoor pressure loads. The Hodgdon Load Data Site has 3 different sections for 45-70 load data, Lever Actions is one of them...
FROGO207
Member
Trapdoor loads are the lowest pressure listed of the three choices. They are meant for the older black powder rifles that would not take the punishment of the newer high pressure/performance loadings. They are the lowest pressure/velocity loadings provided. I use Trail Boss for my light lead bullet loads--this propellant is used by CAS shooters to mimic black powder loads without the mess or firearm cleanup needed.
If you're looking for a real softball load for plinking without the recoil inherent in the off the shelf round, try using 255 grain .45 Colt cast bullets, oversized if available, over either 11 grains of Unique or 14 grains of 2400. Do NOT use jacketed bullets or you may stick one in the barrel. And use a Dacron filler behind the bullet to hold the powder in place. Since the XLR uses Ballard rifling you can have a lot of fun with cast bullets, loaded down, even in the 300-350 grain weights. My 1895SS has the Micro-groove rifling and I have struggled to find a cast load that shoots to my accuracy expectations. But for fun, I put up with it. For full power loads, it absolutely loves the LeverEvolution ammo, and I load the Hornady 325 gr. FTX over 45.8 grains of IMR 4198 for even better accuracy than the factory load.
There is a ton of published reduced load data out there for the 45-70, and they're all more fun to shoot than even the Trapdoor data, which is in reality still a buffalo killing load.
BTW, the pistol bullet loads will likely tumble, so they are very short range loads. Unless you can find some that are so completely oversized as to make .458". Mine drop out of the mold at .452-.453 so they don't seal the bore. They sound like little buzz saws exiting the long tube of my original 1873 Springfield.
mike
There is a ton of published reduced load data out there for the 45-70, and they're all more fun to shoot than even the Trapdoor data, which is in reality still a buffalo killing load.
BTW, the pistol bullet loads will likely tumble, so they are very short range loads. Unless you can find some that are so completely oversized as to make .458". Mine drop out of the mold at .452-.453 so they don't seal the bore. They sound like little buzz saws exiting the long tube of my original 1873 Springfield.
mike
jack44
Member
Thats what I use trapdoor in my marlin45/70 300,350 and 405. the 45/70 is real fun to shoot you can load it for bear or as low as a 22.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You might want to consider buying a reloading manual then.
Lyman #49 comes highly recommended for your purpose.
It contains three chapters of 45-70 loads, ranging from Trap-Door level (10 bullet weights & 7 powders) , to Marlin 1895 - (7 bullets, 9 powders), to #1 Ruger Single-Shot's (10 bullets and 11 powders).
That covers a wide spectrum, from lead bullet plinking loads, to big bear stompers.
rc
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jack44
Member
Put a 405 or 350 cast lead bullet under 13.5 or 14 of uniuqe thats light enough for a little girl to handle.
bobnob
Member
A good middle of the road load I use in my 1895 is 54g of H4198 (we call it Ar2207) with the 300g Sierra HP. With a standard LR primer its mild enough but still hits hard for really big pigs or deer.
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