BP into the 45-70

[TomADC]

I was having problem deforming the nose of a 525 gr Saeco cast bullet trying to load 70 grs of FFg, yesterday at the range I talked with an experienced BPCR shooter and he showed me how to set my rifle up for these big long bullets, basically drop the bullet into the chamber then use a caliper to check from the base of the bullet to the chamber end where the case seats then subtract that from 2.10 the chamber measurement that tells me how far into the case to seat the bullet. I loaded a dummie round up to make sure it chambered okay. I then loaded 60 grs of Goex FFg using a .060 OPW which gave me .250 powder compression. I'll shoot these next week to see if the rifle a Sharps repo likes them.
I did shoot some 350 gr Goex BP rounds I had at 100 yds yesterday, I need a different front sight insert I think, I was using a fine post with a dot, going to try a ring type next time.

 

[Jim Watson]

Do you have a drop tube and compression die?

Definitely measure seating depth after compression so you don't hard ram and distort the bullet.

I don't think you need the full 70 gr of powder, lots of folks are running in the 66-68 grain range. But you can compress the dickens out of Goex and use anything up to a case full.

 

[TomADC]

Have both a droptube, & compression die also a case expander. These are loaded with 60 grs of FFg. Looking forward to shooting them.

 

[R.Clem]

When I started reloading for my repro. Sharps, .45-70, I had a similar problem with bullet deformation, I bought a new seating plug and had it machined to the shape of the bullet nose I was using, that helped iron out the problem.
I then shot 50 rounds of 60 grain loads (the load wasn't very fast 960 fps avg. with an extreme spread of 50 fps, the accuracy at 100 meters, was everything on the target, 12"x12") then I started working my way up. The light loads were a pleasure to shoot, but the fouling was extraordinary, as I worked my way up the charge weights (2 grains at a time) I found that more compression helped reduce the fouling. I found that 68-70 grains was the most accurate and had the least fouling with good velocity.
Now I am at a 72 grain charge with a lot of compression and these seem to have a lot less fouling, but only gained 20-30 fps while the accuracy hasn't changed to any great extent.
I am using Goex Cartridge, a hand cast 550 grain bullet and Federal 215 primers. I have tried all the name brand primers and my rifle does best the the 215's. The powders have been Goex FFg, & FFFg, Graf & Sons in FFg & FFFG, 777, (use this with care and read all the directions), and the Hodgden subs in CTG, FFg and FFFg.
It has been amazing how the different powders react, and what the loss and gains in accuracy, velocity, and extreme spread have been.
As with all reloading, accuracy comes with consistency, and harmonious components, keep good records and only change one thing at a time.
Not all BP or substitute are crated equal.
Good shooting

Ray

 

[TomADC]

The top shooters at our range are all shooting Swiss not sure which one but their target are nothing short of outstanding.
I have a bunch of Goex FFg and being frugal I plan on using it up first then when I open the last can I'll move up to either Goex cartridge or Swiss.
Most accurate load I've shot so far was 405 gr bullet with 11 grs of Unique but this rifle was made for BP..
I notice also it was easier to load new unfired brass then the stuff I have shot a few times, I need to anneal those cases.

 

[Afy]

I am looking forward to next weekend to test the swiss powder and 475 grain lead bullets.

 

[highlander 5]

I'm not a BP shooter but IIRC the main problem of getting 70 of BP in your case is because it's a solid head case and not the old style balloon head cases. They were nothing more than folded brass and had quite a bit of room at the head portion of the case.

 

[TomADC]

70 grs fit but when I tried to seat the bullet I found out I was seating it .300 to deep. I think I could seat it now that I've made the measurements.
But then these look good, thursday we'll see how they shoot.
I have no doubt I could seat a 405 gr bullet with 70 grs.