.45-70 Hunting Reloads

[Pitchman1968]

Over the last 2 years on this Forum, I have participated in many discussions on .45-70 reloading and have learned a lot from members' inputs. Although I really enjoy reloading and shooting cast bullets, I do not use them for hunting whitetail deer or elk. For those hunts, I reload the most accurate .45-70 bullet I have used - - - Hornady's 325 gr FTX Leverevolution bullet over 40 grains of IMR 4198 powder. This round Chronys at between 1,970 - 2,010 FPS. With my scoped Marlin 1895CB at 100 yds., I can benchrest shoot sub 3" groups. The 2 knocks against this bullet are (1)that it expands too quickly when hitting big-boned animals such as elk and moose, and (2) the need to invest in a second set of .45-70 dies to produce the reduced c/l required for this round to cycle properly in a lever action receiver. As for the premature expansion criticism, I just don't buy it; I shot a 185 lb. whitetail buck through both shoulders at 140 yards which indicates the bullet has acceptable penetration ability. Now, as for the need to spend some money for the special dies and a case trimming measurement tool, that's true. However, Lee stocks these items, and sells them at their standard competitive prices. I am currently dropping hints to my son and adult grandchildren regarding Henry's .45-70 rifle, and what a wonderful combined birthday, Farthers' Day, and Christmas present that rifle would make for Grandpa.

[JEBar]

do you load them in Hornady Revolution brass

[BigAl52]

Good luck with those hints I hope it works. I have 2 Henry 45-70's the AW and the CCH. I like both of them. Ive shot the Hornady load and it works well in the AW. But when reloading for it I tried some of the silver tip Nosler 300 grainers that Shooters Supply shop sells with 4198 and RL7. Got great groups with both of them out of the AW. As far as the Hornadys go if I choose to used them I will just buy them. Keeping 2 different lengths of brass around for me is not what I want to try to keep track of. JEBar also uses that bullet and likes it as well.

[Slugnut]

I tried the Hornady 250g Monoflex bullets in my 1995GS. What a pleasant surprise concerning accuracy and recoil. From a bench/bags- 1 hole at 54yds. (3 shots) The only draw back is the brass has to be trimmed down as with the FTX bullets. With 42 or 43 grs, of IMR 4198 vs 40.5 grs. for the 300g Hornady HP, the recoil seems much less (regular length brass), go figure. I didn't chony these loadings, but the Hornady manual states 1775-1800 fps. for the 300g ( very accurate as well). Just my 2c.

[Pitchman1968]

No, I use once-fired Starline .45-70 brass. I am not fond of Hornady brass because with it, I don't get exceptional accuracy with any of my .30-06 rifles.
I resize the S/L brass, then trim it down it down to a 2.040" C/L, prime it, charge the case, seat the bullet, and crimp the case with a Lee Factory crimp die. The COL ends up to 2.590". In their 9th Edition 9 Reloading Manual, Hornady lists the B.C on this bullet at .230. This probably contributes to the bullet's accuracy because all other .45-70 bullets have B.C. of 195 or less.

[Jrprock]

My go to 45-70 hunting load is the Speer 400gr and 45gr of RL7. 2.55” oal, starline brass and cci lr primers.

It’s got some stout recoil but it shoots like a laser from my gun.

It’s a relatively soft bullet. Shot a ~200lb buck in the right ham and the bullet made a ~1” hole the full length before stopping just inside the hide below the neck.

[divartydad]

I just loaded up 20 rounds using leverrevolution brass and the 325gr Hornady FTX. My starting load is 37 gr of Accurate 5744. The factory Leverrevoltion shoots 1moa at 100yds. I'm shooting the H010 with a Leupold 2X7. The only thing I have harvested so far is a Russian Boar from about 50-55 yds.

[PT7]

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Welcome from the Show-Me-State, divartydad. Thanks for sharing about your harvest.

As you probably noticed, you and your H010 have joined a "Henry crowd" of .45-70 owners and reloaders.
Lots of great chats ahead of you. Enjoy your time on the HRF.

PT7

The only thing I have harvested so far is a Russian Boar from about 50-55 yds.

[divartydad]

Thx PT7

[mrguvna]

I just never caught on to the gummy tip bullets or for that matter anything less than 400 gr. My go to load for hunting is the 400 gr speer over 53 gr of 3031. shoots very good groups out to about 170 yds or so. most deer i have shot have been in the 50-80 yd range and complete pass through DRT. I have recently been using the 405 gr lasercast over about 46 gr of 3031 and have the same accuracy and same pass through on deer and not a $1 a bullet like the speer if you can find them.

the lasercast bullets do very well on game don't discount lead bullets for hunting or accuracy in the 45-70, plus cheaper