New reloader...Need .45-70 recipies

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Mullins81

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I am new to reloading. I have basically bought all the stuff to get started and some extras. I am reloading for a Marlin 1895 Cowboy chambered in .45-70. I was just wondering if anybody would be interested in sharing their .45-70 recipies??...I am going to be using remington brass because it is the most readily available to me, and also using 420 gr cast round nose gas check bullets. Maybe somebody could recommed a powder for me to use with the items I listed above, and explain why you would use it (i know little about powder thus far). Just looking to see what people are using and why. Thanks.
 
If you're interested in cast bullets in 45-70 the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual is a great place to start along with the Lyman 49th manual. Working with data from those plus published Alliant and Accurate data gave me a good start into 45-70 data.

I'm not trying to be a 'read the manual' jerk here, I'm saying these are some tested and thorough resources for you that are a far better starting place than some dude on the internet.

I will tell you what powders I've had success with in my 1895G.

Unique - 300 to 405g cast plinking loads. Low recoil, accurate and fun.

Alliant 2400 and Accurate XMP-5744 - 350 to 405g cast at 1400 to 1500 fps. Good hunting and general use loads.

Reloder 7 - 350g cast and 300g jacketed 'full up' hunting loads. Rx7 is my favourite for these kinds of loads.

H4198 - I use this with the surprisingly tough Speer 300g bullet and the 300g Nosler Partition as my elk chasing loads.

That Cowboy is one pretty nice rifle, I hope you enjoy the heck out of it. Just to give you a look at some data I might start with for it, I've attached a load sheet from Accurate for up to 28k PSI loads. If the 420g cast bullet you're looking at is similar to the Cast Performance one listed here 5744 for fun and 2015 for full up might be a good place to start.
 

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  • Accurate 45_70 28K PSI Manual.pdf
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Some loading data sources have several load levels for 45-70;

1) The original Trapdoor loading, in which pressures are inline with blackpowder pressures.

2) Winchester Leveraction.

3) Marlin 1895 Leveraction.

4) Ruger #1 &TC single shot, where pressures are limited to about 35,000 CUP.

I want something thats gunna give me a good WALLOP
Click to expand...

Heavier bullets do their best wallopin' with medium burnrate rifle powders like;
Win748, Re7, 4895, 4320, 4064, 3031, H322, Varget, etc.

When they get a bit much for ya, 2400 works well with lead bullets.
And Trail Boss loads can be shot comfortably all day long.

Check also Hodgdon, Alliant and other powder company websites for receipes
 
I love Trailboss for light plinking loads. 13grs should be pretty light behind any bullet. Its almost like shooting a 22!

For real WALLOP try some IMR 3031 or IMR 4198. Make sure you use loads rated for a lever action though, and not for stronger single shots.
 
For 400-425 grain weight class bullets...H322 is hard to beat, its just right for that bullet weight (load density, performance...and it does it at moderate pressures)...using lighter or heavier bullets than those it is too slow burning.

It will sling that 420 grain slug outta that 26" barrel at well over 1,800 fps...and be darn accurate doing it.

I shoot 405 grain cast bullets over 50 grains of H322 for 1,886 fps from a 22" barrel and the 100 yard accuracy is this...with peep sights.

132_3227-1.jpg

And just for grins...my load.

132_3214.jpg

And my rifle...

45-70pic.jpg


I'm not sure exactly how much H322 will be safe under a 420...You'll have to find that for yourself, but RanchDog's website would be a good place to start looking for it (I know its there, just don't remember what it is...probably right around 50 grains though)
 
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I suspect most of the medium burn rate rifle powders do well in this very un-picky cartridge. IMR (and H-) 4198 is another that give excellent performance and velocities, but my 1895 Micro Groove is especially amenable to 3031 with Hornady 300 gr JHP & JFPs. I use 53-56 gr (max, hot!) and since I bought it in 1974 it has shot one-inch groups at 100 yds with that combo and a Weaver K3W. I shot lead 405s with no problems, but am hesitant to put too much lead through it. I drag out the Trapdoor when the lead mood strikes :D
 
I am new to reloading. I have basically bought all the stuff to get started and some extras. I am reloading for a Marlin 1895 Cowboy chambered in .45-70. I was just wondering if anybody would be interested in sharing their .45-70 recipies??...I am going to be using remington brass because it is the most readily available to me, and also using 420 gr cast round nose gas check bullets. Maybe somebody could recommed a powder for me to use with the items I listed above, and explain why you would use it (i know little about powder thus far). Just looking to see what people are using and why. Thanks.
Click to expand...


Like Asherdan, I don't want to be a "read your manual" jerk, but he is correct. The best place to get info on the correct powders and recipes is from published manuals. There are many good ones out there, both to buy and free from powder company websites. Most will have suggestions for most accurate and reduced recoil loads. Most also will explain burn rates and other powder characteristics that will help you decide which powder is correct for your situation. Yes, there is a lot of good info available here, and sharing favorite loads is common and can be helpful. But..........for a beginner just starting out getting a recipe, without knowing what makes this a good load is not learning anything.
 
I have a .45-70 as well.. though no bullets so havent been able to try it. Mine is a Trapdoor, so will be going down the route of N-120 for smokeless.
Otherwise its going to be 65 grains of BP under a 475 grain bullet.
 
Posted by Ridgerunner665, above, with photo of fine group:

"I shoot 405 grain cast bullets over 50 grains of H322 for 1,886 fps from a 22" barrel and the 100 yard accuracy is this...with peep sights."

Amazing that anyone can shoot such a great group at 100 yards with peep sights. That little aiming square looks about 1/2" how can anyone even see it at 100 yards. Wish I had eyes like that.
 
"Don't need to see the lil black square...aim for the center of the target."

Wow! you guys in Tennessee sure can shoot good! Imagine, just aiming at center of target and having shots group like that. Very impressive!
I order some reloading stuff from a place in eastern Tennessee called Widners. Good people to do business with, higly recommended. Are you close to where they are?

__________________
 
Peep sights...

There are people who can outshoot me with peep sights...even if they are having a bad day, lots of people.

You just have to understand the concept....and obviously you don't (don't feel bad, you're not alone)

Read up on it some...long range accuracy with peep sights.
 
Post from Ridgerunner above:

"You just have to understand the concept....and obviously you don't (don't feel bad, you're not alone)"

Please explain the "concept" to all, inquiring minds want to know. (anyone else?) After all, learning things like this is what the internet is all about. Speaking of which, Al Gore, inventor of internet, is also from Tennessee, is he a friend of yours?
 
Hell no Al Gore ain't no friend of mine...

I did give you the hint you need to understand the concept...
aim for the center of the target
Click to expand...

Forget about what you can't see and aim for what you can see, get the sight picture the same for each shot...its that simple.

The lil black square is a bit small to see at 100 yards...but I can see the 8"x10" sheet of paper just fine, and I can tell where the center of the target is...I know the square is there, in the center, whether I can see it or not.

Much the same as the eye centers itself in the peep, it will also center the front sight on the target...get them both lined up and squeeze the trigger.

100 yards isn't even long range...I can make consistent hits at 600 yards with peep sights (6-8" group on a really good day), and again...I'm not all that good, I've seen MUCH, MUCH better than me.

Oh...and several years of practice.

It irritates me that so many people think just because they never put forth the effort to learn how to do something...nobody else can do it either.
 
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And lastly...

I didn't indicate that I shot that group with peep sights to be bragging if thats the way it seemed...I mentioned the peep sights to indicate that maybe, just maybe, that load is a bit more accurate than it appears...but you'd have to try it with a scope to know for sure, I don't believe in scopes on 45-70's.
 
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Like I say, I'm really impressed. If you can shoot a group like that without even seeing the target...well...what can I say? And at 600 yards, even more fantastic.
You say Widners is "just across the mountain." Which mountain is that? Their address says Johnson City. I'm looking at a map now, are they, or you, in the Smokies? Looks like a nice area.
 
Let's lay off the personal attacks. Offfhand, there are people who can shoot that well with open sights, and better. I've seen 'em. A good friend of mine holds a record at the local range; a 30 shot group at 100 yards, just over 2", with a Remington 1903A3 with stock sights.

As I said, lay off the personal attacks. It ain't braggin' if you done it.
 
I like Ridgerunners assessment of iron sight shooting, get the same sight picture each time especially. I like a black target with a 6 o'clock hold, with practice good aperture sights can be a real accurate thing.

Below photo is a Marlin 1895G 45/70 at 100 yards. I was testing to see if the third shot threw as the barrel warmed up. Two groups with the third thrown high right on each here.

07022545_70heateffect.gif
 
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