Test loads of 45-70 & 56-60 w/2400 & cornmeal filler

[Harve Curry]

I'd been meaning to try these out for a low pressure smokeless load for accuracy and velocity.

45-70 Marlin 1881 relined 28" barrel:
19.5gr of 2400 powder, corn meal 32gr, 330gr Lyman/Gould hp bullet, shot a 3 hole group into 3/4" at 50yards.
Velocity is 1262fps with a 10fps variation.

56-50 Spencer Carbine of 1865:
15gr of 2400 powder, corn meal 15gr, 350gr Rapine bullet, shot a 3 hole 6" group at 50 yards.
Velocity is 1049fps with 9fps variation.

This was from a sitting position, the Spencer has shot 6" or less at 100 yards from a bench.

I've been shooting smokeless in these guns for over 10 years. I'm lookin for a better load then I been using with the Kapok tuft.
Knowledgeable opinions appreciated.

 

[steveno]

I use 2400 a lot in my Ruger #1S 45-70 and I don't use a filler. I don't see the purpose in it as I couldn't tell the difference in accaurcy or over the chronograph

 

[Harve Curry]

Steveno,
The amount of 2400 I use doesn't consume itself without a filler, and is not acuurate. Also I need to stick with the lighter bullet in this rifle's twist.

Probably your Ruger SS loads are hotter and the 2400 powder burns better when the case is near full and/or the bullet is heavy.

I tried 5744 also and wind up with a string of unburned powder down the length of the rifling.

 

[steveno]

I use 28 grains of 2400 and the remington 405 soft point for about 1500 fps. this load will shoot inot an inch or slightly more at 100 yards