45-70 loading question

[SFCRangerDoc]

gents,

got some 45-70 dies for xmas and am stoked on getting going with a load for my IAB sharps rifle. I wanted to run something by y'all though.

Here's my current load setup:

46.75gr IMR3031 pushing a 405gr Jacketed Soft point with Winchester LRP

46.75 is about smack in the middle of the load range and I figure It'll be plenty safe in my gun. However my question is OAL length. Book says 2.550 for OAL however the bullets i have are double cannelure and if i set it to 2.550 the bullet is seated well past the second one. If i seat to the very top of the 2nd cannelure its appx 2.660 OAL. I have dropped one of the ones into my chamber and it does not appear to hit the lands even at that length so I would assume it's fine but just wanted some other opinions. I don't have a chamber gauge but i've read i can just make a dummy round and seat it really long and then start pressing it in until the round fits and that's my chamber size.

below is a pic of the first 5 ive made. as stated before they look long, but they do drop into the chamber w/out issue and are not being marked by the rifling.

[mark501w]

Single shot my have a long lees allowing for black powder shooting (tendency to foul) oal is up to you . I didn't crimp just develope load to your oal. I would start in the 1200-1300fps & work up. 3031 although accurate left ants in my barrel (unburned powder)4198 burns cleaner.

[SFCRangerDoc]

Single shot my have a long lees allowing for black powder shooting (tendency to foul) oal is up to you . I didn't crimp just develope load to your oal. I would start in the 1200-1300fps & work up. 3031 although accurate left ants in my barrel (unburned powder)4198 burns cleaner.

I'm not planning to crimp either. The crimp marks left on the casings are from factory 300 gr. I just resized and am pressing in...plenty tight. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't getting myself into trouble with a longer OAL

[mark501w]

Have fun!

[pacrat]

Sharps = Single Shot = No Magazine/Feed issues = If it fits = Choot'em.


JM2c

[SFCRangerDoc]

Sharps = Single Shot = No Magazine/Feed issues = If it fits = Choot'em.


JM2c

Thanks! I figured as much just wanted to be doubly sure...dont want to grenade myself or my rifle!

[orangeusa]

Wow. Do you need a "limb saver" recoil pad for that beast?

[SFCRangerDoc]

Wow. Do you need a "limb saver" recoil pad for that beast?

Nah i shoot the beast bareback! Steel buttplate and all...off hand its manageable...benched? bruuutal no pain no gain though!

[Fjold]

However my question is OAL length. Book says 2.550 for OAL however the bullets i have are double cannelure and if i set it to 2.550 the bullet is seated well past the second one. If i seat to the very top of the 2nd cannelure its appx 2.660 OAL.

The listed (recommended) OAL is one of the listed factors that go into that recipe to get the listed pressure/performance. Recommended OAL is just a guide

I don't have a chamber gauge but i've read i can just make a dummy round and seat it really long and then start pressing it in until the round fits and that's my chamber size.

Actually that will give you an approximation of the max OAL since the lands will dig into the bullet as the bullet is being inserted into the case. Reduce the OAL by .005" and test again until you get no marks on the bullets.

[Tom-ADC]

If they are for your Sharps you can have a lot of fun with cast bullets. On the longer heavier bullets I drop a bullet into the chamber then using my calipers to check the distance from bullet base to where the cartridge rim will sit, this is my OAL or how deep I seat the bullet into the case. I hope this makes sense. I do use Swiss 1.5 Fg
Cruise missiles from a few years back.

[Tom-ADC]

I did this mod to my Lee .457 sizer. It works great for the bullets I size.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEa2jeV-BKs

[SFCRangerDoc]

So i loaded up 25 rds of my above listed recipe and shot them today. No issues what so ever. I did get a little primer flow so I may back off the charge a smidge but overall the 405's were quite enjoyable and as far as I can tell accurate!

[pacrat]

So i loaded up 25 rds of my above listed recipe and shot them today. No issues what so ever. I did get a little primer flow so I may back off the charge a smidge but overall the 405's were quite enjoyable and as far as I can tell accurate!

Did you check your FP to breech face hole clearance as possible flow problem?

[SFCRangerDoc]

Did you check your FP to breech face hole clearance as possible flow problem?

I'm not sure I follow. Could you explain what you mean?

[M1NM]

I'm not sure I follow. Could you explain what you mean?

Does the firing pin fit too loosely in the bolt face allowing a lot of room around it for the primer to flow into the space?