Need Suggestions On Bullets and Powder For 45-70

[wtxbadger]

Picked up a set of dies and brass today and was wondering what bullets and powder would be good to try. I shot a box of Remington 405 grain ammo the other day and at a $1.30 a round factory ammo looks to be a little pricey for regular trips to the range.

wtxbadger

[quickdtoo]

A good light to moderate handiholic recommended load that shoots real accurate in my 45-70 Handi is 28gr of Alliant 2400 and the 350gr Hornady RN, at about 1500 fps, it's easy on the shoulder, 1½-2" groups at 100yds in a new gun, I expect with a little fine tuning, it would shoot extremely well. I would have had a range report on a hunting load using the 300gr Nosler partition and H4198, but they closed the range for a hunter ed class, so I didn't get to shoot..... :cry:

[Ed Hill]

It really depends if you are tuning up for hunting or just like to plink.  I like to spend time at the range, and am currently shooting 25-1 400gr lead bullets at about 1100 fps.  I'm getting the bullets at less than 10cents each, so I can shoot a lot for cheap.

There are published reduced loads for AA5744, 2400 or unique that are accurate and in the 1000-1200 fps range.  I have found that the microgroove barrel does not like velocities over 1300 with lead bullets, you have to go to a gas check or jacketed bullet.

Another benefit of these light loads is I can shot 40 or so without a sore shoulder, and the flinch I was developing has gone away!

E.D.

[Mac11700]

While certainly not the cheapest...go for some Nosler 300 grain Partitons...and some H4198 powder...this is an absolute favorite winning combination...


Mac

[JPH45]

It is terribly hard to beat 15 grains of Unique under any cast bullet you care to shoot in the 45-70. Velocity will be 1200 fpsish and will be gentle on your shoulder and your pocketbook. Reloder 7, 4198 (H or IMR) IMR 3031, AA2015 are about perfect for moderate to full velocity loads, but the recoil goes up quickly inthe 45-70 as powder charges and bullet weights increase. I like the Lee 340 and 15 grains of Unique, and killed a deer this year with a Lee 405 HP and 15 grains of Unique.

[wtxbadger]

I have no experience with cast bullets, but will try some along with some of the other bullets suggested. I plan on punching paper and plinking a good bit, and am planning on taking it deer hunting this Fall depending on where I go and the yardage the deer are at. Looks like this cartridge has the potential to anchor a deer on the spot with decent shot placement.

Thanks for the suggestions.

wtxbadger

[MSP Ret]

I have to agree with quick, that load of 28.0 grains of 2400 behind a 350 grain Hornady .458 soft point halfjacket is one of my favorite 45-70 loads. Easy shooting with not much recoil and very accurate....<><.... :grin:

[James B]

As stated above, I like the Unique load as well. I shoot the 405 grain FN cast bullet with 13 grains of Unique and a federal LRMag primer. You would think with the small powder charge that you would need a filler or wad but it shoots very well without any. Over my chronograph I am getting very consistant velocities and good 100 yard groups. They average about 1175 fps. Recoil it not bad at all with this load.

[Plumloco]

I'm with JPH45 and James B , reference the Unique powder and cast lead bullets . I have had very good groups and great shooting with the Lee 340 cast bullet and unique powder in several different 45-70 rifles , over the past 20 years or so . :-)
Of course all of this shooting was at the rifle range , on paper targets or steel . A pleasure to shoot and plink with 12-15 grains of Unique powder and a cast lead bullet in a 45-70 rifle .

[Lefty Behind]

I use 2015BR, 30-31, and Reloader7 in mine.  All of them work well and produce good groups.
I don't ever use pistol powder loads in mine.  
               Lefty Behind

[Joel]

I've shot all kinds of deer with IMR4198 and any 300 gr bullet at loads ranging from 42.5gr to 51.2 gr; finally settling on 45.2(around 1840 fps) gr for my usual <100 yd shots and no meat damage.  About two years ago, I switched over to Reloader 7(44.0 grs) and 400 gr Speer FlatNose and really like that as a hunting load.  Velocity in a friend's NEF is 1750(chronographed); figure I"m getting about the same.  Load is kind of a bear to shoot from the bench as far as recoil goes, but ok from sitting/kneeling/standing.  Nice clean load too; no powder grains in the barrel at all in mine.

[Longcruise]

I like the Rem 405 jacketed bullet over 50 to 55 grains of Varget.  52.5 grains averages 1584 fps with good accuracy.  My loads with this bullet were only so so until I started seating them to touch the lands.  Then the accuracy improved dramaticaly

[tanoose]

I haven't been able to get to the range yet with my new handi but when i do i have alot of different loads to try with 300 400 and 405 grain bullets. But my favorite load for deer in my Marlin 1895  was 45 grains of IMR4198 behind a Hornady 350 RN . I hope this load works well in my handi.

[glock29]

I like the Hornady 350gr round-nose over a case-full of H4198 (Level3-Ruger load in Hodgdon's manual for 2004) in Winchester or Remington brass ignited by a CCI Large Rifle primer. These loads are no longer on the website, only in their printed manual. The website now only has "trapdoor" loads
Recoil is quite wild as this load is good for 2300fps/4112 ft/lbs energy.
Lite loads ??
There is NO need for these, IMHO.

Thes loads are safe in my NEF 45-70, but must be worked up to cautiously in each individual rifle, continually monitoring for over-pressure signs.

[JBKERNS]

My handi likes a 300 gr Rem JHP, Winchester Brass, 50.0 grains IMR3031, and a Win LR Primer.

[quigleysharps4570]

Here is some trap door and modern cast and jacketed bullet data from the Accurate manual. I'm partial to 5744 for low velocities. If you'll click on the images you should be able to read them better.

[quickdtoo]

That data and a lot more is available on their web site ....

http://www.accuratepowder.com/loaddata_caliber_rifle_standard_458cal.htm