45-70 Reccomendations

[runnin n gunnin]

OK troops, a snitch just informed me that I am to be the recipient of a brand new Henry Big Boy 45-70 with a side gate for Xmas ! ! !
I want to advance my preparation so I have the tools to reload when it arrives.
I am a hand-loader for my other Henry's (357, 45) as well as all my other weapons systems.

MY question is this: I have always been a JHP shooter, partial to Hornady XTP bullets. I want to start loading cast bullets for the 45/70.

Dies: I am a Redding guy and use a T7 turret press along with a Lee Factory Crimp die for each calliber. In looking at dies, I have seen several recommendations to use the RCBS Cowboy dies stating that they give just a tad more space for the cast bullets compared to the standard dies. Thoughts and comments.

Brass: I like starline brass, and am getting ready to order a hundred pieces. Thoughts and Comments for the 45/70

Bullet Weight: I want to start with light plinking loads. Since I am new to cast bullets, I was going to try Hunters Supply Hard Cast Bullets 45 Caliber (459 Diameter) 405 Grain Lead Flat Nose to start with. Thoughts and Comments

I also have an original Springfield trap door 45-70 that I have had for 40 years and never shot. It is clean and functional and would love to put some rounds down range. Thoughts and Comments:

As always, I know that you all have personal loads and gear you like, and I am appreciative of everyone's thoughts and experience.

[JEBar]

here are a couple of online sites I use for load data .... I'm always suspect of online source and all I can see is these two have worked for me


high power loads http://reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

Low Velocity Lead Bullet Chronograph Data http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm


as a side note, the Low Velocity Load Data is for Lead bullets .... I've found it produces pretty much the same results for Jacketed bullets

[220]

I only load cast in my 45/70, still have the box of factories from when I picked up the rifle and there are 15 loaded still in it.
I use starline brass and a set of Lee dies with a lyman M die, the M die is similar to the expander die in the cowboy sets expanding the case for the length of the projectile instead of just flaring the mouth.
Trapdoor data loads makes very good light plinking loads, I use out Aussie made ADI powders
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/single-ac ... or-rifles/
Hodgdon repackage ADI powders and the same data will be on their site with their powder names on it.
I have had best results with AR2207/H4198

[runnin n gunnin]

here are a couple of online sites I use for load data

.... I'm always suspect of online source and all I can see is these two have worked for me


high power loads http://reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

Low Velocity Lead Bullet Chronograph Data http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm


as a side note, the Low Velocity Load Data is for Lead bullets .... I've found it produces pretty much the same results for Jacketed bullets

Thanks JEBar, I will check it out. I'm looking forward to using Cast for the first time.

[runnin n gunnin]

I only load cast in my 45/70, still have the box of factories from when I picked up the rifle and there are 15 loaded still in it.
I use starline brass and a set of Lee dies with a lyman M die, the M die is similar to the expander die in the cowboy sets expanding the case for the length of the projectile instead of just flaring the mouth.
Trapdoor data loads makes very good light plinking loads, I use out Aussie made ADI powders
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/single-ac ... or-rifles/
Hodgdon repackage ADI powders and the same data will be on their site with their powder names on it.
I have had best results with AR2207/H4198

Thanks 220, I appreciate the info. I am looking forward to working with Cast.

[Ojaileveraction]

350 and 405g cast bullets over a stiff load of Trailbos is my recommendation for trapdoor pressure loads.

Starline brass great!

Missouri Bullet Company 405gran coated.

[runnin n gunnin]

350 and 405g cast bullets over a stiff load of Trailbos is my recommendation for trapdoor pressure loads.

Starline brass great!

Missouri Bullet Company 405gran coated.

Outstanding, I appreciate the info on the trapdoor.

[Ojaileveraction]

Outstanding, I appreciate the info on the trapdoor

I use Barry's plated 350gr over 13g TB in my 1895CB for Lever Action Rifle Silhouette out to 200 meters knocing over 45lb ram silhouettes.

[fortyshooter]

I still have a big box of Laser Cast 405 gr. bullets which I have only used in my .45-70 Marlin 1895 GS and my 1885 Uberti High Wall rifles.
For relatively soft plinking loads 13-14 gr. of Unique has worked well but be very watchful when loading small loads for a double charge.

IMR 3031 is another powder I use for a standard .45-70 load with the 405 gr. hard cast bullets.

One thing I love about the single shot High Wall is there is enough chamber room for my 500 gr. loads which won't cycle in my Marlin.

Sounds like you have a really nice "Santa" present coming!

[runnin n gunnin]

I still have a big box of Laser Cast 405 gr. bullets which I have only used in my .45-70 Marlin 1895 GS and my 1885 Uberti High Wall rifles.
For relatively

soft plinking loads 13-14 gr. of Unique

has worked well but be very watchful when loading small loads for a double charge.

IMR 3031 is another powder I use for a standard .45-70 load with the 405 gr. hard cast bullets.

One thing I love about the single shot High Wall is there is enough chamber room for my 500 gr. loads which won't cycle in my Marlin.

Sounds like you have a really nice "Santa" present coming!

I appreciate the info Fortyshooter. I already have 8 pounds of Unique and was considering buying a pound of IMR 4198 as I cannot find Unique in my Lyman or Hornady books. Sounds like it has been a solid load for you, so I think I will give it a try. I want to stay on the low end of things so I will start with the 13-14 grains.

As for Santa, no one was a shocked as I was, I hardly put myself in the "Nice" category! I think she may feel guilty because my sons wife is buying him a Big Boy 357 for Christmas ! I am really looking forward to the 45/70

[runnin n gunnin]

Outstanding, I appreciate the info on the trapdoor

I use Barry's plated 350gr over

13g TB

in my 1895CB for Lever Action Rifle Silhouette out to 200 meters knocing over 45lb ram silhouettes.

I have never used Trail Boss, but it sounds like it is worth getting a pound to experiment with, Thanks.

[Ojaileveraction]

I have never used Trail Boss, but it sounds like it is worth getting a pound to experiment with

9oz jugs.
Trailboss is very fluffy, that why it works so well as a BP substitution.
I'd suggest anyone that shoots originally Black Powder cartridges should take a look a TB.

[gumbo333]

Get a Lyman Cast Bullet loading manual. A must if you are going to reload cast bullets. You will not be sorry. I use Lee dies and they work just fine. And good luck and have fun.

[220]

I cant say I am a fan of trailboss despite it being one of the Aussie made ADI powders most of you get as repackaged as Hodgdon.
It might be simple for reduced loads in calibers with limited data but I have never found it to be as good as other powders.
I have tried in in numerous calibres and always ended up going with another powder in preference. In 45/70 with my cast the best I could get was 3-4" at 50y. The worst I have shot with my 2207 loads have been around 2" and the 2207 loads deliver another 100-200fps at almost half the pressure of the trailboss loads. Maximum trailboss loads were still 100fps behind blackpowder loads in my rifle.

[JEBar]

well understood on sticking with items (in this case powder) that have performed well for you in the past .... IMR 4198 for hunting loads and Unique for range loads are the only two powders I use in our 45-70

[Rifletom]

While I don't presently have a .45-70, I can recommend Missouri Bullets, coated or plain cast. I use 'em in my .45 Colt, .357[both Henry's], 30-30 and .45 acp.

[runnin n gunnin]

Get a Lyman Cast Bullet loading manual. A must if you are going to reload cast bullets. You will not be sorry. I use Lee dies and they work just fine. And good luck and have fun.

Thank you sir, I have just ordered the Lyman CBLM. Thanks for the info.

[runnin n gunnin]

well understood on sticking with items (in this case powder) that have performed well for you in the past .... IMR 4198 for hunting loads and Unique for range loads are the only two powders I use in our 45-70

Hey JEBAR, I just ordered two pounds of 4198, looking forward to trying it out.

[runnin n gunnin]

While I don't presently have a .45-70, I can recommend Missouri Bullets, coated or plain cast. I use 'em in my .45 Colt, .357[both Henry's], 30-30 and .45 acp.

Several folks have recommended Missouri Bullets, I will give the a try.

[Steve51]

I load trap door loads with cast bullets. I use Missouri Bullet Company #1 Buffalo Hi-Tex coated 405 grain bullets over 30.0 grains of H4198. Velocities around 1400 fps

I also make loads using Hornady 350 gr InterLock flat point bullets and Hornady 300 gr. JHP bullets. I load these at 1895 Lever Action Marlin load levels. Velocities around 1700 - 1800 fps