RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

[Ojaileveraction]

I only shoot below 1300fps. I've use 300 and 405 cast and 350 plated. Best performance with 350 and 405 grain bullets.
Trail Boss gives me consistent fps over H4198. More a matter of fill % than anything else.
At the Trail Boss pressures I expect the brass to last a long time.
Of course there are many that are happy using nothing but Unique or Universal.

Question about 45-70; being a straight wall cartridge, how many times are you reloading the brass? What is considered a mild plinking load or is there such a thing? What size lead would that be? What powder are you guys using? Curious.

[BigAl52]

That 300 gr Nosler Bullet that Jim uses to works well for a Hunting load. Ive shot some of those with 4198 and RL7. Recoil with those isnt that bad. I know you dont do much hunting or I dont think you do.

[Grunt67]

I've been reloading since 1968, pistol, rifle, always picked them up by hand ( clean hands ), never had an issue. Yes, I've put one in upside down, mashed it up good, no explosion. I take what I read on the 'net, with a few grains of salt. I'm old school, still weigh each powder charge on my scale ( checked with check weights before starting.)
The only round I've ever had fail to fire, was a factory load Winchester 30-06. none for reloads.

[RanchRoper]

Might as well reload some stuff tonight, the wife is watching the oscars.....YUCK.

[BigAl52]

Ya my wife and Neighbor right now are watchin the preliminary to it and some of the language thats comin out of there mouths with comments on the costumes is makin me think i might be in a construction workers enviroment

[CT_Shooter]

I agree that watching the Oscars ceremony is YUCK. Watching Oscar nominated films is usually way better. I'm watching The Green Mile tonight. It's a great Steven King book and an oscar nominated Tom Hanks movie. Love them both. But reloading 45 Colt might even be a better way to pass the evening.

Might as well reload some stuff tonight, the wife is watching the oscars.....YUCK.

[BigAl52]

Im gonna watch the Hockey game here in just a few minutes.

[Grunt67]

I haven't done any actual reloading today ( yet ). Did go by the Reloaders Bench store in Mt. Juliet,TN today & picked up a copy of
the 10th Edition Hornady manual & the 50th edition Lyman manual. Looks like some good reading.

[RanchRoper]

Thoughts on these loads for a 45-70? 300 gr LFN bullet. Min/max powder in bold type.


Hodgdon Varget .458" 2.465" 45.0 1,276 17,800 CUP 55.0 1,530 20,600 CUP
Hodgdon H4895 .458" 2.465" 45.0 1,326 14,400 CUP 51.0 1,464 15,500 CUP
Hodgdon H4198 .458" 2.465" 30.0 1,175 14,400 CUP 35.5 1,418 16,100 CUP

[BigAl52]

Keith can you get Berrys Plated bullets up there?