45-70

[P95Carry]

You may just be talkin' me that direction Bear!

Ok final question ........ for which cals in particular would you say this was a good choice. We are on the 45-70 thing here but - equally handy for .357/38, 44, 45LC - all straight wall rounds then?

 

[LAH]

They are nice for any straight wall case using cast bullets.

 

[flashhole]

You might take a look at this link if you want some pointers on relaoding for the 45-70. I did this on another forum.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49

I shoot the Marlin Guide Gun (ported version). My favorite load is:
Hornady 350 grain RN jacketed bullet
58.0 grains of Hodgdon Varget
CCI 200 primer

The best advice I have had since I started handloading is - make every load like you're making it for NASA. Pay attention to detail.

 

[P95Carry]

Flashole - I hope anyone wanting to take up 45-70 - or any reloading perhaps - go to look at that. It has been very nicely put together indeed.

 

[mohican]

About that Lee Factory Crimp Die

I just got into the 45-70, but from experience have found the Lee Crimp Dies to be one of their best products. I use the Carbide Factory Crimp dies with my hangdun ammo, and I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die with a lot of my rifle ammo. Since I have several leverguns, and autoloaders (Hakim,Garand) the Factory Crimp Die has been much more consistant, and accuraate than trying to use the crimp built into the seating die.

My reloading setup for the 45-70 is the Lyman set with the neck expanding "M" die, and I finish off with the Lee Factory Crimp die (set as light as possible) after seating. I hope to get some range time in with my 1895 Cowboy 45-70. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

So far I have handloads with the Hornady 350 gr jacket flat nose, NBT 300 grain cast RNFP and NBT 405gr RNFP. In looking at several powders, H322 seemed to be in the "middle" for a variety of loads, and should work with all the loads I want to try.

One disadvantage I already see for the 45-70 with "hunting" loads - it's a powder hog. With 56-57 grains of H322 with the 300 or 350 grain bullets, I'm looking at about 125 loads per lb!!!

Now who had the skinny on the Unique and 2400 "plinking" loads? you can reply here or email me [email protected]

enjoy

 

[P95Carry]

One disadvantage I already see for the 45-70 with "hunting" loads - it's a powder hog. With 56-57 grains of H322 with the 300 or 350 grain bullets, I'm looking at about 125 loads per lb!!!

Yeah - but it's worth it!! I am throwing 405's over 52 of 3031 for #1 (once used up - don't like it - will use RL7 as I do in BFR loads) - so only get 135 loads - but hey - you gotta pay for wide grins!

 

[mohican]

You may just be talkin' me that direction Bear!

Ok final question ........ for which cals in particular would you say this was a good choice. We are on the 45-70 thing here but - equally handy for .357/38, 44, 45LC - all straight wall rounds then?

38-55, especially when loading with bullets around Ø.380 vs the Ø.375s meant for the Win..375 (but that's another thread)

 

[DELUX6969]

Results from the gun range

Results from the gun range

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The results from having my 45-70 Custom Ported & the Bore Micro Lap Treatment by my gunsmith: Don Lewis (918-366-2945) Indian Territory Arms Production, Email: [email protected] ..... out of Bixby, Oklahoma.

Before taking the NEF 45-70 barrel to him, the best loads I worked up over a 4 1/2 year span (from 535grn lead's & down & other jacketed bullets) were using 300grn JHP with 53grns IMR4198 with the best avgs 3 shot group @ 100yds was 1 1/4".

Now my 3 shot avg is a consistent 1/2" group from center of bullet hole to center of bullet hole @ 100yrds, my best so far is 3/8ths" from center to center..........To be noted that I used only sandbags and no mechanical gun vise etc.... The loads that did the best were 300grn JHP Hornady with
50grns of IMR4198....MY DISCLAIMER-My loads are considered "HOT", these loads I have done, I did myself and work for my gun--BUT MAY NOT BE SAFE IN YOURS----Always use caution in working up loads, start low and inspect and note every little change in each case each and every time you fire a shot.

 

[txgho1911]

My best so far

Only seiously loading the jacketed bullets. 1" with IMR 3031 54gr under 300gr Hornady JHP. Considered max by the IMR tech I spoke to a month ago and was listed a light for the Late Model MarlinIam shooting from the latest Sierra book.
Just about to start my load development for this rifle with IMR4198.

 

[djl4570]

I load for two Shiloh's and a Ballard High Wall, 535 to 545g Creedmore and Postell style soft lead. I've scrapped a few cases with mouth splits and I have a number of cases that could do with a bit of trimming to square up the case mouth. I don't roll crimp, instead I use a Lyman taper crimp die that is set to flatten out the case bell without squishing the soft bullet.

 

[master_shriller]

I have a Marlin 1895SS, and our local range is only 110 yards. I want to use 12 grns Unique, CCI 200 large rifle primer behind a hardcast 350 or 405 RNFP pill , but need a filler as the powder is just laying on the bottom of the case, apart from oats, or dacron. any other suggestions?

Also do I need to use gas checks? I'm aiming for around 1000fps.


Thanks


Ben

 

[dmftoy1]

You shouldn't need a gas check for 1000 fps. I'm shooting up near 1200fps without any problems leading wise in the same gun.

I don't have any "filler" advice for you wrt to using Unique, but I've had really good luck with IMR's "Trail Boss". It's so bulky that you don't need any filler . .especially if you're using a good long cast bullet.

Oh yeah . .and welcome! It's nice to see someone in the UK shooting. I didn't think you guys had the opportunity. (are you anywhere near Newbury?)

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[master_shriller]

Thanks for the comments Dave.

I live about 90 miles from Newbury, I have friends in Virginia and Texas, and have been over the pond a few times.

A lot of Americans don't realise we have guns here. Cartridge firing handguns with less than a 12inch barrel were banned after the Dunblane massacre, but we still have some guns left.

I have a Marlin 1895SS 45/70, Remington 700 PSS .223, Winchester Model 70 Stealth .308, Marlin 7000 semi auto, CZ Model 2 B/A and a VQ tricked out Ruger 10/22 all .22 rimfires, Also an Anschutz 9mm rimfire.

Remington 1858 .44 NMA and Colt 1861 .36 Navy, and an 8g muzzle loading shotgun. All black powder.

Mossberg 500 slugster 8+1, Remington 1100 12+1, plus 4 or 5 other shotguns.

Also a Ruger Super Redhawk .44 mag long range special, which had an 18inch barrel, which has been shortened to 14 inches.

Friends of mine have Remington 7mm STW's, RPA .338 Lapua, Remy 300 WinMags, and one has a single shot .50 cal BMG Steyr.

I have to travel about 45 miles to use a military 1300 metre range which also has a sniper tower.

So as you can see it's not all bad here in the UK.

Just no full autos or semi auto hanguns apart from a .22 rimfire Browning Buckmark pistol with a 12inch barrel.

And whatever rifles we use for hunting we can automatically get a silencers for them, and use expanding ammo no problem.

Have a good Christmas everyone.


Ben

 

[dmftoy1]

Wow . .that's alot different than I've been led to believe!

I work in Newbury fairly regularly, probably about 45-50 times in the last 10 years. If you ever get over to this side of the pond stop on in and we can burn some 45/70 ammo.

Have a merry christmas!

Dave

 

[danang]

master shriller: Right on about no gas check for 1000-1200 fps. If you are going to use a silencer with the .45-70, I'd recommend no filler or dacron...it leaves in one piece, more or less. The granulated stuff will clog your silencer pretty quick. Rather than either, I'd concentrate either on 1: same position for the powder each time...elevate the muzzle, tap butt on bench, and slowly lower to horizontal. or 2: Try the Winchester brand large rifle primers. They have a bit of powdered magnesium or aluminum (don't remember which) that enhances the flame length from the flash hole...made for their coated ball powders. That should help with consistant ignition with the Unique. I've used that charge for years without complaint.

 

[Ranger J]

One never has too many pieces of 45/70 brass. If this becomes a burden to you please ship some my way. I guess I am the odd ball one here as I do trim my brass after a couple of shootings. I don’t load more than a mid-range Marlin load and shoot them in a Handi and an 1896 Marlin. I use a Lee trimmer and I do remove some brass. On the opposite side, with my .44 mags and .357 mag bullets when I check them with the trimmer I don’t think I have ever had any brass removed.
RJ