reloads for the 45-70 (deer)

[blind hog]

i'm cooking up some loads for my 45-70 for deer hunting anyone got some sure enough one shot layem down loads they care to share the gun is a marlin 1895ss iwant to stick with the 350g,300g and maybe the 250g barns bullet thanks johnny

 

[Johnny Guest]

What rifle?

blind hog, it is generally accepted that there are three distinct levels of loading for the .45-70 cartridge. Even the lightest, suitable for trapdoor Springfields, is a sure-and-certain deerslayer - - Those loads have plenty of energy, even with "only" the 300 gr. bullets. Higher velocities simply flatten out the trajectory and provide a longer effective range.

The next level is suitable for strong lever action rifles, such as the modern production 1886 Winchester and 1895 Marlin types. These can easily run the 400 to 500 gr bullets out fast enough to make recoil a very vigorous proposition.

Then come the real barn burners, for Mauser bolt action conversions and the heavy single shots, such as Ruger #1 and modern Sharps repros.

Which category rifle do you want to load for?

Best,
Johnny

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

45/70 accurate load

In the 70's I made 500 California Saeco .45/70 4 cavity bullet molds with handles of match winning quality. I chose to make 300 to a maximum of 405 grain lead bullets based on tire weights and a maximum of 5% solder if desired. I felt heavier bullets ruined accuracy from the expected recoil especially for repeat shots. Also it was published that 300 to 405 grain bullets could take any animal in North America with up to 54 grains of 3031 but my customers entering in serious target matches reported early on that 48 grains of 3031 was the most accurate target load to win the prizes.

For the last hundred molds I kept and sold during the last 5 years I passed that information on to my customers and they agreed about the accuracy with that 48 grain load. My most popular bullet was the 344 grain bullet but one 300gr RN bullet design with a flat area in the center of the nose was popular to drill a hole and insert a blank pistol cartridge in the bullet nose for men who enjoyed shooting them at rocks as targets. My customers mainly had lever action rifles and a few had large single shot Pistols.

 

[Souris]

For my Marlin 1895 it looks like I'm going to end up using a 300 grn JHP over somewhere close to 53 grns of IMR 3031.

Tried several different loads at the range last Sat and 52.6 grns was more accurate than 56 grns. Still working on the final load though.

The factory 405 grn is pretty accurate at 100 yrds.

 

[ReloaderFred]

For my 20 year old Marlin 1895, I've settled on the Hornady 350 grain hollow point and 50 grains of IMR 3031. I took it to the range day before yesterday and from the bench put four rounds into 1 1/4" at 100 yards. That's what I'm using the first two days of elk season, and if I don't get a shot, then I'll go back to my 30-06 for a little more range.

I'd love to get my elk with the 45-70, but the 06 has never failed to drop my elk with the first shot and I'm not willing to waste the whole season waiting for something within a couple hundred yards for the ghost ring sights on my Marlin.

Fred

 

[SDGlock23]

You have a Marlin 1895GS? I'm jealous.

 

[DELUX6969]

My 45-70 Pet Loads

DELUX6969 I use IMR4198 in my NEF. For Hornady 300 grn. JHP, I hook up with 52 grns. of IMR 4198 & for my Lyman 535 grn.- .459 diam. lead bullets, I use 32 grn. of IMR4198. I have an extremly low powder residuale left in the barrel. Both groups of 3 shots each avge less than 1 1/2" @ 100 yds. & are very fun to shoot. My son took his first deer last year with the 300 grn. JHP at fourteen years old. I guess the thump from the big bore is a sickness he inherited from me, he loves it too..............

Warning-- These loads may not be right for your type of gun but work great in mine for the past 4 years or so.

I have just got my barrel back from the gunsmith. I had him port it for reduce recoil (which the recoil really does not bother me, I did it for better consitency and control). While the gunsmith had the barrel, as an added bonus to me, he did a Micro Lap & Polish Bore Treatment. Today I have started doing my reloads for the 45-70 again. I am starting @ 50 grns. IMR4198 for the 300 grn. JHP & 30 grns. IMR4198 for the 535 grn. leads.

Happy Thumping