45/70 powder ?

[kenrat]

I want to load some 45/70 plinkers with a 150 grain cast bullet.  I am having trouble picking a powder that fills the case enough so I don't need any filler or wads.  I would like medium loads for both my Contender carbine and my 1873 Trapdoor.  Thanks for the help.  Kenrat

[AtlLaw]

Hummmmm,    Before I answer, I am assuming this post is 'spose to be a comical parody on the common "what's a good load" question, right?   

If the question is not a koan and you are serious, I apologise...    I don't mean to hurt your feelings... but wait, I'm assuming I know what I'm talking about...    maybe you know something I don't!     Now that's a distinct possibility!   

[Dezynco]

About 65-70 grains of 2Fg black powder from GoEx!  That should do it!

[kenrat]

To Altlaw.  If you read it, it says plinkers.  I don't expect much accuracy, just a real answer.  Kenrat

[mechanic]

I've never seen a 150 grain cast bullet for 45-70.  It sounds like it would be shorter than it is wide.  Are you shooting round ball?

[AtlLaw]

Well, Ben beat me to it.     I'm not familiar with a .458 caliber 150 gr. "plinker" bullet either.  Only bullet like that I can think of is the "collor button."  Not sure of that one's weight though.  So, before I can give a "real" answer I'd like to know what bullet you're talking about.     Other stuff too, but we'll start there.   

[AtlLaw]

Well, it looks like the CB bullet runs 150 gr. +/- so there!  You did know something I didn't!  Just like I suspected!   

There are plenty of loads available for those bullets.  I think Tim has even posted a page of loads for them here somewhere's.   

I was going to suggest Unique or 2400 as they are pretty much position insensative and here are a couple of loads I found for those powders.   Just an example of what's available.  I haven't tried them myself.

45-70 Gov't light loads.

144 grain collar button or 146 grain round ball
8 grains Unique 1135 fps
15 grains 2400 1300 fps

You might also want to look at 5744 or Trail Boss.

Wanna talk about fillers for "real" loads?    

[kenrat]

Thanks guys, the bullet is a collarbutton, I got them from Western Bullet Company.  I believe they came from a old Lyman mold. They are very short but I want to plink with them off my back porch (rural Property).  It has been recommended I use cornmeal as a filler but I still haven't decided on a powder. I have frying pans, targets, cans haning in the trees behind the house and I don't want to rattle the windows.  My shooting backstop is very steep BLM land.  Kenrat

[AtlLaw]

I've loaded 28 gr. of 2400 in a 45-70 case with a 350 gr. bullet and didn't use a filler.  Don't really think you'ld need a filler with one with those powders.   

I use dacron as a filler in my 45-120.  It seems to me that with any meal type filler, unless you fill the case and compress the load with the bullet - like you would have to with Holy Black, the filler and the powder would mix and that can't be good for consistencey.     I dunno.  Maybe the folk over in the reloading forum would have some more ideas...

Did I say maybe!?     They ain't no doubt about it!   

[Franklin7x57]

Trail Boss will fill the case the best. Don't have a load for that light a bullet.

[Grumulkin]

Trail Boss will fill the case the best. Don't have a load for that light a bullet.

Forget the cornmeal; Trail Boss is the best answer.

Here's a link for you from the Hodgdon web site: http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

[SlowLeadBullets]

+1 for Trailboss.  I'd also try a light load of Unique without the filler.  Trailboss just tends to get expensive.  You will probably use 2-3 times as much and the Trailboss costs quite a lot more (based on local prices)

[Camp Cook]

I have a box of 100 of these bullets left here is the info on them unfortunately I cannot find my load data for them right now.

Western Bullet Company
PO Box 998
Missoula MT
59806

.458" 145gr Collarbutton
Lyman mould # 457130



These bullets are what is called a gallery bullet they were loaded light and people used to shoot them in a shooting area in saloons much like people play darts now.

Oh for the good old days before the fear of firearms became rampant...    

edit to add -> I just emailed Western Bullet Company requesting load data and yes they still list the bullet.

[Camp Cook]

Here is the data they sent me hope it helps you out...

#457130  for the .45-70
Primer  Powder  Charge  FPS             Source
Rem 9 1/2       Bullseye        12.0 (Start.)   1590           
Rem 9 1/2       Bullseye        16.0 (Max.)     1921           

Rem 9 1/2       Red Dot 12.0 (Start.)   1582           
Rem 9 1/2       Red Dot 14.7 (Max.)     1814           

Rem 9 1/2       700X            12.0 (Start.)   1627           
Rem 9 1/2       700X            16.0 (Max.)     1911   

Rem 9 1/2       Unique          14.5 (Start.)   1638   
Rem 9 1/2       Unique          17.0 (Max.)     1907           

Rem 9 1/2       SR 4759 30.0 (Start.)   1541           
Rem 9 1/2       SR 4759 33.0 (Max.)     2032           

Rem 9 1/2       XMP 5744        30.0 (Start.)   1685           
Rem 9 1/2       XMP 5744        35.0 (Max.)     2001           

Rem 9 1/2       IMR 4227        21.0 (Start.)   1245           
Rem 9 1/2       IMR 4227        27.0 (Max.)     1641           

Rem 9 1/2       IMR 4198        35.0 (Start.)   1722           
Rem 9 1/2       IMR 4198        40.0 (Max.)     2010