What level are you loading your 45-70 to?

[Badnews Bob]

BANG!..............flop.      but I really hardly ever use jackets anymore just cast my own.

[quickdtoo]

When I purchased my Buffalo Classic I called Marlin and asked them which loads were appropriate for the rifle.  I was told that loading for lever actions was ok.  Loads designed for the single shot ruger were too hot and could damage the rifle and possibly the shooter.  Since I like to err on the side of caution I have stayed within those limits and have not had any problems. 

Levergun loads are "appropriate" for the SB2 frame, but modern rifle loads are safe too, if they weren't, the 500 S&W wouldn't be safe either, it's loaded to a SAAMI MAP of 60kpsi which is 5-20kpsi higher(depending on data source) than any 45-70 load and it has a larger case head and less case wall contact which increases breech thrust. But in the end, your shoulder will tell you what load is "safe".

Tim

[mechanic]

I use two basic loads.  First is a "black powder" load of Blackhorn 209 behind a 405 gr. hollow base.  I'm guessing as I don't have a chrony, that its maybe 1200fps.  I also have a pet load of Varget that accd. to data pushes a 405 corlok at about 1700.

Then there is that box of bullets I bought that says "dangerous game ammo" on it, that I use for when my buddies want to try the BC.

[45454]

Trapdoor loads.
Mostly BP,with some smokeless.

[briannmilewis]

I think the factory loads for 45-70 are loaded to the trapdoor model levels 18,000, unless the box is labeled differently.  I load mine to about 32,000 because I just use hard cast bullets and the limits are suppose to be BHN number times 1422 to give MAX pressure.  Example BHN 24 = 24*1422 = 34,128.  Example BHN 22*1422 = 31,284.

GrampaMike: OK, I showed my ignorance one more time and had no idea what the BHN TLA stood for. Did a little web research, and it has something to do with hardness of soft metals, bullets I assume? Found a conversion table link: http://www.gordonengland.co.uk/hardness/hardness_conversion_3c.htm

How do we use this information and where do we get it when dealing with cast bullets I assume? I am always more than happy to ask the dumb questions, as I know there is a bunch more folks who want to know but won't ask. Always interested in learning a little more.