45/70 Loaders Would Appreciate Your Input

[gigante]

Good evening Calgunners, I recently purchased a Marlin 1895GBL that I would like to start loading for, and my Google searches haven't turned up anything specific enough to suit me, so the call goes out to you. I'll be loading Bear Creek's 360gr Mo coated LFN. The powders I have on hand that I could use are Varget, 2400, Trail Boss, and IMR 4895. I also have IMR 4350 and Ramshot Big Game, but I don't think they would be any better than the aforementioned.

I'm not looking for near-max velocities, but I don't want any powder-puff loads either. I bought the Marlin because my only other lever gun, Henry .357, has the recoil of an air rifle. I would like a little thump. I'm looking for something accurate to 200yds, and not too dirty.

Given this information, is anyone out there loading with any of these components? I'd like to keep it on the lever tip as rolling block loads are not what I need, but any direction would be appreciated.

[CalTeacher]

I've been loading 45-70 for a while now, and while I don't use any of the components you've listed (except for Trail boss), I'll volunteer my info anyways.

1. Trail Boss is used for reduced loads with cast bullets. 12-13 grains under a 405 cast bullet will yield around 1000-1100. A powder puff load for sure, but accurate and fun to shoot.

2. I mainly use Unique for reduced cast boolit loads (13 gr.) because it's economical, accurate, and fun. I've run up to 14 grains that chrono'd at 1200 fps with my cast 405 gr. boolits.

3. for full power loads, I shoot 300gr. Barnes TSX with 48 grains of H-4198. Velocity is 1970fps with hardly any variation.

4. These are out of my Marlin 1895 GBL. Velocities weren't much better with the same load out of a 22 inch barrel.

5. 42 grains of H-4198 under a 360 gr. gas checked cast boolit from a Ranch Dog mold yielded about 1800 fps.

6. Try to get your hands on H-4198. It is by far the most popular powder for 45-70 for near max and midrange loads.

7. I've found that faster burning powders like H-4198 produce great results, especially with lower pressure loadings because you get a much quicker and uniform burn than with slower burning powders. This is especially true with the shorter barrel of the GBL.

Hope this helps. Happy loading!

[gigante]

CT, thanks for the reply. It does help. I have just about every reloading manual, and I've looked at online load data, but the pickins are slim given the parameters I'm trying to work with. I'm also trying to avoid using gas checks. I'm going to try working up some loads with the TB, 2400, and Varget, and if I can't get anything satisfactory, then I will get a pound of the 4198. We'll see how it goes.

[CalTeacher]

CT, thanks for the reply. It does help. I have just about every reloading manual, and I've looked at online load data, but the pickins are slim given the parameters I'm trying to work with. I'm also trying to avoid using gas checks. I'm going to try working up some loads with the TB, 2400, and Varget, and if I can't get anything satisfactory, then I will get a pound of the 4198. We'll see how it goes.

No prob. Just remember though that the 45/70, even at moderate velocities, produces plenty of energy to kill most anything in North America. Just out of curiosity, what will you be using it for? 2400 may work well with a cast boolits, provided you don't drive them too hard without gas checks.

My load of Unique that I mentioned above can ring steel at 200 yards with a peep sight all day long.

[gigante]

CT, glad you mentioned the steel ringing because that's basically what I'd like to do as well. However, I would like to take a pig with this Marlin, and it would be nice if I didn't have to change loads too much.

[Fjold]

The issue is that you've chosen a bullet with a unique weight so you are going to have to look hard to find charge recommendations for your specific powders. I'm just starting to reload for the 45.70 and there is a lot of information for 300 grain, 350 grain and 400 grain bullets. I would start with the data for the 350 grain bullets and extrapolate from there.

Of your available powders, IMR 4895 is probably the only one that is suitable for the 45.70.

[CGT80]

I think I read that the 460 is similar to a 45-70. In my 460 A5744 is a very nice medium load powder. Trail Boss is my powder for light loads and Win 296 for full power. I doubt 296 will work for you, but TB should be fun. I tried a few plated and lead bullets with 5744, but haven't chronoed the loads yet. I think 5744 is actually geared toward rifle loads.

[chris]

i shoot duplex in my Sharps so my information may not help you.

i use a 545 gr Creedmore cast bullet i cast myself. the load i use is this
GOEX FFg 63gr and 6 gr of IMR3031 for my duplex load. shoots cleaner than straight black powder

[gigante]

Thank you all for your input. Fjold, you make a very cogent point. I should have put more thought into bullet weight selection and referenced my manuals prior to making my decision. I will work up some loads as well as broaden my options by picking up some other powders if my results are less than satisfactory. Please let me know how your loads are progressing. Thanks again to everyone.

[mattt]

I use 50 grains of varget behind remington 405 bullit or 50 grains benchmarc .Both will let you know you fired a 45/70! Lasercast makes some great bullits also. You can go hotter on both loads but not really needed.

[GSwain]

For hot loads I like h335 behind a 420 gr lead boolit, very clean and accurate.