Loads for my .45-70 Guide gun?

[MIdoublegun]

Hey guys.. I am a newbie when it comes to reloading. Looking to start with the 45-70. I shoot a guide gun and want a load that is accurate for punching paper at the range and then one for hunting whitetail here in Michigan.

I have a box of Factory Remington 405 Gr. SP and they seem be pretty easy on the shoulder.

1) I am looking for something that is not punishing (Similar to the recoil produced by the Factory load above) to use for range work where accuracy is key.

2) I am looking sperate load that is good whitetail deer round. Would like accuracy out to 150 yards with enough knockdown power to drop a whitetail where he stands.

As I said I am a new guy when it comes to reloading and just want to get started with something easy.
Also.. If there is anything else you can tell me about the "do's and Dont's" when it comes to the .45-70 all info, suggustions and opinions are welcome.

Please include full load data.. Primers, powder, Velocity, FPS etc if you know it.

I am loading on a RCBS single stage.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[MIdoublegun]

Nothing guys? Someone has got to have some recipies for the good ole .45-70??

 

[loadedround]

Please don't consider my post as being sarcastic or a put down, but most reloaders are very reluctant to offer their pet loads for someone else's rifle, especially in a round like the old 45-70. Someone new on this site might take a modern recommended load for your Marlin Guide Gun and attempt to use it in an old black powder Winchester or Trap Door Springfield with the obvious destructive results. I would suggest you purchase one or more reloading manuals and read their chapters on modern 45-70 loads and go from there. Good luck and good shooting. BTW, I don't own a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun, but wish I did.

 

[MIdoublegun]

I understand... But I specifically said that I was looking for loads for my guide gun. I know that certain actions cannot handle the pressures of certain .45-70 loads. I only own 1 rifle chambered in .45-70 and it is the guide gun. I am not looking for loads that are pushing maximum pressures and offer abusive recoil... especially for the target shooting I mentioned.

Thanks for your concern..
Jeff

 

[bfoosh006]

Hodgden's website has good free data....http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[Jimfern]

45-70 reloading

I have a Marlin 45-70G and along with a Lyman reloading book, I strongly recommend you read this book:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=796073

It's out of print, but you can find it used. I have been shooting lead bullets with great success.

 

[avan47]

I have reloaded both a 300 grain hollow point, and a 405 grain flat point in my marlin 45-70. The 300 grain I think was a Hornady bullet, and the 405 grain was a Remington bullet. I had good results using Varget powder, using data from the Lyman reloading manual. The 300 grain bullet has a lot less recoil. I have no experience hunting with these loads, as I kill most of my deer with a .223. I would expect either load to do the job on deer or black bear. My Marlin rifle has the microgroove rifling and I have not been able to work up a good lead bullet load. I am very impressed with the versatility of Varget powder. I use it in my .223 as well as my 7mm-08 and 45-70. Load data should be available from the Hodgdon web site. I really like the Lyman manual, and if you do not own several reloading manuals, you should. I usually check several sources for data before starting a reloading project.

 

[fireman 9731]

I like IMR 4198, IMR 3031, and Varget in my Buffalo classic. The Remington 300 grain semi-jacketed hollow points are plenty for deer or if you wanted a premium bullet its hard to beat a Barnes TSX, that is some heavy duty medicine!

Definitely get a good manual though, there will be more loads in there than you could ever imagine.

The 45-70 is a very forgiving round when it comes to reloading, it is the first caliber I ever reloaded and I haven't had a single problem. The one thing that I did that made the biggest difference was giving them a decent crimp. Initially I always had a unburned powder in my barrel, but crimping them fixed that problem right away.

 

[moooose102]

see if you can get a copy of the august / september 2007 handloader magazine. they have a very good article on handloading for the marlin 45/70. i will tell you from trial of some of the recipies, that some of them are not for the faint of heart. the 45/70 is so easy to load, hot or mild it probably just isnt even funny. but you still have to be cautious. no sense in hurting yourself or the gun. google handloader magazine, and follow the site, you can order a backcopy of the magazine there. personally, i am an IMR powder guy. i like 4198, 3031, and SR 4759 (hot to reduced loads)depending on what i am doing. you can load this down so you can shoot it all day long, if you can afford the bullets! your best freind on this gun, if you want to shoot much (or hot loads) is a limbsaver recoil pad! take the stock one and use it for a doorstop somewhere. i also had a muzzle brake installed, i like to shoot loads hot enough to knock a grizzly off his feet! between the 2 of them, it is pretty comfortable to shoot now.