Shooterfor55
New member
Can someone help with a starting load using a 425 gr cast bullet with a gas check in a Marlin 45.70. The powders I have on hand are Varget, IMR 4064, Red Dot, and Blue Dot. Thanks in advance
45.70 recipe
- Thread starter Shooterfor55
- Start date
None of those powders will work well for a full-power load. Red Dot will work nicely for a 800-900fps plinker.
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm
Accurate LT-30, H4198, Accurate 5744, Alliant Re7 are the powders that will work best for full-power loads.
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm
Accurate LT-30, H4198, Accurate 5744, Alliant Re7 are the powders that will work best for full-power loads.
See https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/
"45-70 Trapdoor"
405gr bullet
IMR 4064
Anything in that starting range -- even for a 425
.
"45-70 Trapdoor"
405gr bullet
IMR 4064
Anything in that starting range -- even for a 425
.
Last edited:
I've used 3031 in the 45-70, but not 4064. 3031 is quite a bit faster than 4064.
"Full power" is 1700+fps from an 18.5" barrel. "Trap door" or "factory" will be about 1100fps from the same.
Shooterfor55
New member
Thanks totaldla, do you have a starting load?
Yes shadow9mm I have several loading manuals
and none of them have a recipe for 45.50 using a
425 gr cast bullet.
Yes shadow9mm I have several loading manuals
and none of them have a recipe for 45.50 using a
425 gr cast bullet.
Thank you for giving your definition.
We're going to disagree a bit, though,
The .45-70 is a bit unique due to its long history and the wide range of strength of rifles chambered for it over the years.
For me, "full power" (meaning top end loads) depends on the gun being used, There are three levels of loads used for the different levels of rifle strength, the Trapdoor, the Win 1886, and modern bolt actions and single shots (Ruger).
The modern Marlin 1895 is classed with the Win 86 for strength, and I have data showing 1700fps+ using the 300gr bullet, from a 26" barrel.
I don't think you'll find any data showing that speed with a 400gr from an 18.5" tube. IF you have that, do share.
I'm not sure what the issue is about - this discussion over MAP rating was settled 20+ years ago with the rise in popularity of the 45-70 1895. If you check Buffalo Bore, HSM, Underwood, you find they load the 45-70 to 40Kpsi. Hodgdon load data for H4198 shows modern rifle load data to 38Kpsi. Western shows load data to 40K psi. All of the proceeding drive a 430gr WFN to ~1900fps from an 18.5" barrel.Thank you for giving your definition.
We're going to disagree a bit, though,
The .45-70 is a bit unique due to its long history and the wide range of strength of rifles chambered for it over the years.
For me, "full power" (meaning top end loads) depends on the gun being used, There are three levels of loads used for the different levels of rifle strength, the Trapdoor, the Win 1886, and modern bolt actions and single shots (Ruger).
The modern Marlin 1895 is classed with the Win 86 for strength, and I have data showing 1700fps+ using the 300gr bullet, from a 26" barrel.
I don't think you'll find any data showing that speed with a 400gr from an 18.5" tube. IF you have that, do share.
I personally do not like shooting my guide gun when the free recoil gets much above 40ft/lbs, so I limit my 405gr load to right at 1800fps. I can't"flatten" the 45-70 meaningfully by Crank ng up the velocity (although I tried years ago).
The beauty of the Guide Gun is it's"handiness" and the cartridge is just a novelty. A big chunk of lead makes a big hole a long ways (I killed one elk with it) and people always laugh at the size of the cartridge. And it is comforting to carry a carbine in bear country that has the same momentum as a 375H&H.
I put a decelerator recoil pad on it years ago which made shooting sessions a breeze.
I have run 385s and 400s into the 1800fps range from a Marlin 1895 (22" barrel, not the guide gun), and they were pushing things pretty hard, though not quite as hard as possible.
1900fps with a 430gr from a shorter barrel seems like a stretch, but if people are getting it, I guess its possible. Does make me wonder, why.. though.
I've run the Hornday 350 RN at a clocked 2200fps from my Ruger No.3 (22") and its a max load. Not fun, and really not needed for anything I would hunt.
Have also run 405gr at 2150 from my .458 Winchester. Never went any heavier though I do have a box of the 500gr elephant bullets, there is a limit to how much recoil I want to take when big beasties are not trying to kill me.
1900fps with a 430gr from a shorter barrel seems like a stretch, but if people are getting it, I guess its possible. Does make me wonder, why.. though.
I've run the Hornday 350 RN at a clocked 2200fps from my Ruger No.3 (22") and its a max load. Not fun, and really not needed for anything I would hunt.
Have also run 405gr at 2150 from my .458 Winchester. Never went any heavier though I do have a box of the 500gr elephant bullets, there is a limit to how much recoil I want to take when big beasties are not trying to kill me.