45-70 and Unique powder

[Abnermal]

I've got a bunch of Unique powder and a 45-70 Henry. Will the two mix? Got 350 and 405 Lazercast bullets on hand. Have seen info about using a filler to keep the powder charge positioned. The thought of putting something other than powder and bullet in a case scares me a little. Has anyone here used Unique in the 45-70?

[Ojaileveraction]

A great web sight for low pressure loads

Lever Gun Performance
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

[JEBar]

the website above is the only source I've seen with Unique listed for use in 45-70 ammo .... if you give it a try, please post the results

[BobGinVA]

DON'T use a filler with Unique. You don't need a "hot" primer such as a magnum primer either. There's lots of loads with cast bullets using Unique in 45/70s available....don't go too light or too heavy. Enjoy. Bobg in VA

[Squatch]

Agree NO filler. Just large rifle primer. BE CAREFUL. Unique has such a low fill rate it is easy to load multiple loads in that big case.

I have loaded quite a bit of unique for my 45/70. I used the data from the above website. Mainly MBC coated bullets and Berry's plated.

My results were very similar to the sites results. Nice easy shooting loads with low recoil. I find accuracy has been more consistent with Trail Boss though.

If you look back a few pages in this reloading forum I have some info posted on these loads. Though due to the PB debacle My target pics are gone.

The above link has a couple of links in it. One describes how different powders ignite and explains why filler is not wanted or needed with smokeless powder.

[Abnermal]

I'm going to try Unique maybe with a 350 grain hard cast bullet at first. Working on a hunting load right now.

[Ojaileveraction]

I'm going to try Unique maybe with a 350 grain hard cast bullet at first. Working on a hunting load right now.

I tried Unique and Tightgroup using the Leveraction Performance data. Esay,fun loads.
But double charges are a constant worry. A friend shoot one in his sharps. Didn't hurt his rifle but he had to set down for awhile.
I like Trailboss for light loads and H4198 1300fps to 1600fps with cast lead.

[Squatch]

I'm going to try Unique maybe with a 350 grain hard cast bullet at first. Working on a hunting load right now.

350gr is kind of an odd ball size for 45/70. 300 + 405 are much more common. Load data can be scarce for 350. I found none for the Trail Boss powder. i had to take what was safe for both 300 + 405 and overlap them and pick from that for my Berry's 350.

I have some Tite-Group but haven't tried it yet. I think I'm going to try that 1st in 44 spl. i have a ton of 44 spl brass.

[Ojaileveraction]

DO NOT COMPRESS TRAILBOSS, BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN IF YOU DO!

Developing trailboss loads
As noted in the powder description section, Trail Boss was designed primarily for reduced loads using lead bullets in pistol
cartridges. However, Trail Boss offers superb versatility in rifle cartridges producing reduced loads using lead or jacketed bullets.
These reduced loads make firing such cartridges as the 300 Winchester Magnum or even the 458 Winchester Magnum pure fun!
Listed below we show a few examples of such loads throughout the Reloading Data Center, but the fun doesn't stop there. If you
don't see Trail Boss data for your favorite cartridge we have a formula for developing loads for all cartridges and it's simple to
follow. This formula may be used in both rifle and pistol applications:
Find where the base of the bullet to be loaded is located in the case and make a mark on the outside of the case at
this location. Then fill the case to that mark with Trail Boss, pour into the scale pan and weigh. This is your
maximum load. Pressures will be below the maximum allowed for this cartridge and perfectly safe to use!
Take 70% of this powder charge weight (multiply the maximum load from step 1 by .7), and that is your starting
load.
Start with this beginning load and work up to your maximum charge, all the while searching for the most accurate
reduced load. Once found, the fun begins

[JEBar]

really good and interesting info .... thanks for posting it .... I've never tried Trail Boss powder but thinking about that formula just might motivate me to do so