powder selection

S

snowman748

New member
Ok, first let me start off by saying a just recently got into reloading just a few months ago, I started off reloading .223 then some 30-06 before I sold the rifle and now I'm buying a 45-70...

I've only actually loaded about 100 rounds of 223 and about 50 rounds of 30-06...

Right now I'm running Varget. I'm loading 68 grain Hornady hollow point boat tails on top of 24 grains of Varget using CCI 400 small rifle primers and mix-match brass I've either saved or gotten from a friend...

I just recently purchased a 45-70 and plan to reload for it as well, also I'm thinking of using 77 grain Sierra Matchkings in my 223 instead of the 68 grain I'm using now...(My AR has a 5.56 chambered 1:7 twist 16" cold hammer forged barrel)

I also want to start the 45-70 shooting around 400 grain bullets and I'll be using Winchester large rifle primers, at least a first since these are left over from reloading 30-06. (I will be shooting a Marlin 1895 GBL lever action)

What would be the best powder to use for this combination?

I know Varget will work but I'm thinking IMR 4064 would work better using slightly less powder? Anyone have any better suggestions then to use 4064?

I do eventually want to get into casting but one step at a time.
 
Before going too much farther, you may want to first check out the current thread "Reloading .45-70". Good information there to start with and as usual will offer a number of considerations and suggestions. Then return with any detailed questions. As usual like with other cartridges, there is no single hard and fast answer for the .45-70. The thread also has some comments on casting.
 
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While I concur with the foregoing, when you have done your exploration you will conclude that 3031 is far and away the favored propellant for .45-70 loads, particularly those using cast bullets.
 
I have found Benchmark and H4895 and to give excellent results for accuracy in both .223 (55 and 68 grain. I have a 1:9 twist bolt gun so the heavier 77's don't shoot no matter the powder) and .45/70 (405 hard cast). IIRC, 24.5 gr of Benchmark for the 55's and 48 grains of the same for the 405's yielded the best accuracy in both guns.
 
I also want to start the 45-70 shooting around 400 grain bullets and I'll be using Winchester large rifle primers, at least a first since these are left over from reloading 30-06. (I will be shooting a Marlin 1895 GBL lever action)

What would be the best powder to use for this combination?

I know Varget will work but I'm thinking IMR 4064 would work better using slightly less powder? Anyone have any better suggestions then to use 4064?
Click to expand...

Your rifle may like one powder better than another, or it may not. Asking which is "best" is a bit open ended. Best accuracy? Best temp stability? Best efficiency? Best on cast bullets? Lowest pressure? Cleanest burning? As you can see there are lot of ways to measure "best."

Any powder in the right burn range will work, 4895, Varget, 4064 are all good choices. You won't know what is best for you unless you try them all.

I personally like 4064, I use it for most every standard rifle cartridge I reload; 223 Rem, 6.5 Swede, 308 Win, 30-06, 8x57 and 9.3x62. But you can use H4895 or Varget for the same loads.

Good luck reloading, don't sweat which powder is "best" right now, just start working on making accurate safe loads.

Jimro
 
I have only ever shot 510 grain cast round nose bullets in 45-70, so my experience is limited in that regard.

In that application I have found IMR 4759 to work well, and surprisingly even better, AA5744. The benefit to 5744 is that it is (as I understand it) a powder with "pistol powder" chemistry loaded into rifle type sticks without a bunch of deterrent coatings. It is developed for use in these cavernous black powder cartridges, and produces really decent accuracy. Down side is that it leaves a lot of residue in the barrel, and takes a little more effort to clean after shooting.
 
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