Had really good results today with this 45-70 load.

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Particulars:
Rifle, H&R Buff. Classic 45-70govt. (Ilion, NY rifle)
1) Remington cases trimmed to 2.100"
2) Remington 9 1/2 (lrmp)
3) T&B Bullets commercial (Magma mold 405gr "Plump" .460dia) COATED.
4) Reloader #7 (38grs - no over powder wad)
COAL: 2.570"

Super clean burn with almost no unburnt kernels. Felt like a 200gr 35 Rem load. Super easy to get along with. After shooting a bore snake was used. Bore was cleaned up on visual inspc. after 4 pulls. NO Leading.

 

[dredd]

Thanks for sharing.
That's one of my favorite cartridges.

 

[AJC1]

What is the goal? What you accomplished is a load that meets your pleasure to shoot. But what else?????

 

[Hartkopf]

How’s the target look?

 

[dredd]

pleasure to shoot.

I can't argue with that at all.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sounds like a winner load.

My current favorite 45-70 load uses 29.0gr AA5744 under a 405gr cast bullet from Missouri Bullets.
I use a CCI-200 primer in Winchester brass.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

How’s the target look?

Goal, to try something new. 10" steel plate at 220 yards. This load for me was running 75% hits from standing fire: 15 out 20. (iron-sights) It will replace my current hunting load. 1381 / 1368 / 1377 / 1393 / 1382. Numbers close enough to quit using 3031.

 

[Charlie98]

I'll bet that still lets you know you launched a bullet! QuickLoad estimates 1600fps for that.

My threshold for the .45-70 is about 1400fps with the 405's.... and that out of a 10#+ Pedersoli 1885

 

[mkl]

Did you measure velocity so one could determine trajectory? I use my Marlin 45-70 for feral .pigs but never at distances over 100 yards. For something at 220 yards, I go to my .243 Win which works fine for Texas white-tail deer.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Did you measure velocity so one could determine trajectory? I use my Marlin 45-70 for feral .pigs but never at distances over 100 yards. For something at 220 yards, I go to my .243 Win which works fine for Texas white-tail deer.

I did 5 shots over a chrony set well away from firing point. Also this Remington built buff c. Has always had a “slowish” barrel. Factory ammo always about 85 to 115 fps slower than box or advert. With this rifle set for dedicated iron sight / standing fire for fun and hunting. Having a ballistic plot is of little use to me. Regards and be well.

 

[mkl]

Not to be intrusive, but I was just curious if I wanted to try my 45-70 at the ranges you mention what would be a good hold over at my iron sights and possible scope . I also load the 405 grain bullet to lower velocities but it really works on pigs at less than 100 yards!

I just wanted the velocity so I could make a reasonable guess [hold over] should I want to take a deer at over 100 yards.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Hold over is less than you’d think! It depends on your initial zero.
Sighted at 100yds zero, hold over will be on order of 31” (b.c. 0.130, 1,300fps.
That’s about the distance from a man’s belt buckle to the ground.

 

[bbqncigars]

I think 45-70 is one of the most forgiving cartridges to load for. My favorite in that is my Cimarron repro 1874 Sharps Creedmoor. Upgraded the factory tang sight to MVA, and just consult my range notes for setting elevation for 100 or 200yds (maximum at local range). It really loves 37gr of Varget behind a lubed 535gm Postell boolit. The same boolit coated gets thrown all over. Which is just as well, as it's way faster and easier to run them through the Star than deal with the powder.

 

[thump_rrr]

I’m still on a waiting list for a new Marlin 1895SBL in 45-70
Going on a year now.
It will go well with my 45-70 Magnum Research BFR.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Not to be intrusive, but I was just curious if I wanted to try my 45-70 at the ranges you mention what would be a good hold over at my iron sights and possible scope . I also load the 405 grain bullet to lower velocities but it really works on pigs at less than 100 yards!

I just wanted the velocity so I could make a reasonable guess [hold over] should I want to take a deer at over 100 yards.

Well for a scoped rifle any ballistic program will be able to get you what yer looking for in hold overs / turret adj. at longer than zero ranges. I don't know your load so I'd say start with holding your front sight bead a full measure over point of aim and see how she drops. Then alter accordingly. Your brain will eventually do the "shooting math" and you'll drop it right in. People can learn to accommodate this way very fast. I've seen guys do it in two shots. After while the instinct will just do it instantly. But you have to use the same load all the time. The fun thing about this way is the amount of offhand / standing fire shooting one gets to undertake. Nothing better than dropping a good shot "in" while standing and watching the tactical nubs with ak's struggle to get one shot rested on elbows at a bench. Just turn and smile at the tactical tummies. (they get all bent and start calling you stupid old guy) lol