Help Needed, 45-70 Cast Loads w/ H4198 = FTF

[jfremder]

Well, I got to take my new Winchester 1885 Hi-Wall replica to the range yesterday. It's the 22" Hunter Model. It was 11°F Brrrrrr!

I sent my first 12 Missouri Bullet 300gr RNFP 45-70 rounds downrange pushed by 30gr of H4198 and they shot great. One big ragged hole as I sighted in at the 25y range.

Next up, 12 rounds of #1 Buffalo, the 405gr RNFP. I pushed these with 27gr of H4198 as shown in my current 'Modern Reloading' manual. I used CCI reg. Large Rifle Primers for both loads

Two of these twelve rounds were FTF. I pulled the bullets, the powder measured out correctly. In one case the primer did not fire at all, maybe I should have just struck it again. In the other case, the primer fired, pushed the bullet forward about 0.2" but the powder didn't ignite.

27 grains of H4198 doesn't even fill the case half way. What can I do to get more reliable ignition?

 

[steve4102]

One of the main reasons for a primer to fail is failure to seat them deep enough. They should be seated to bottom out on the primer pocket and be a few thou. below flush.

The one that went off and did not ignite the powder is pretty odd. Did you tumble this brass and maybe leave some media in the flash hole? Is there a flash hole? I've never seen one without a flash hole, but others have.

You pulled the bullet and removed the powder, but is the primer still in the case? If so, load it up and see if it fires.

 

[jfremder]

Brand new brass. Sized and trimmed only. Flash holes deburred. Primers seated properly. I deprimed both the FTF'd cartridges, I could reseat the unfired one and see if it fires I suppose.

 

[rcmodel]

Media in the flash hole stands about the same chance of being noticed as a fart in a tornado.
That isn't your problem.

You may have some defective primers.
Or you may have a defective rifle with insufficient firing pin protrusion, or too light a hammer fall.

Or, you may just not have enough powder to get it lit at 11 degrees.
You are using the lightest suggested starting load according to Hodgdon.

You could buy some Dacron pillow stuffing at Wallyworld and put a tuft of it in over the powder to keep it back against the flash hole. That might help with a case half full problem causing poor ignition.

rc

 

[snuffy]

I had some Fail To Fire with 45/70, cast bullets, and pull-down WC 846. It's supposed to be the same as BLC-2. Primer fired, powder didn't! Powder was a "CLUMP", kind of like it melted together. This wasn't just one but 3 out of 10 test loads. Powder density was around 50%. Rifle is the H&R buffalo classic. Can't remember exact range conditions, but it wasn't below 50 degrees.

I never repeated testing with a magnum primer, so I can't say if that would help. Sometimes it's just hard to get a fire started. The ones that DID fire were normal in function, don't remember which bullet I used, or the accuracy.

 

[Waywatcher]

Maybe try some near "max" loads of Trail Boss.

They fill up a case really well but are still tame.

 

[243winxb]

45-70 Cast Loads

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Put more powder in it. 27.0gr*H4198 is listed as starting for a 405gr cast bullet. Your new modern rifle should handle much more. Edit*/add> Following data is using IMR 4198, 1886 Win. Rifle 26" bbl.> Lyman list 385gr plain base-36gr/1533fps to a maximum of 40gr/1666fps; With a 482 gas check cast-30gr/1307fps to a maximum of 36gr/1567fps.< Using IMR4198.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

H4198 is one of Hodgdon's Extreme Rifle Powders so it's less sensitive to temperature extremes than other powders. That said because the powder doesn't fill the case that might cause a problem in the cold like said above. In colder weather I would suggest using a Magnum primer just to make sure things go as they should. (all though 11°F isn't all that cold)