Found my pet load for my 45-70

[Mr.RoC]

I was having the worst time getting any decent accuracy from my 45-70 with hardcast from Bullet Barn using their 350 gr plain base. They advertised 0.459" but I measured 0.458" and 0.457". Not one measured 0.459". The best load was using IMR 4198 with 30gr but they only averaged 1257 fps, averaged 1" - 1.5" groups @ 50 yards plus I was getting lead fouling.

I ordered a batch of 350 gr hardcast with gas check from Jet Bullets and they all measured 0.459" as advertised. Switched to IMR 3031 and worked up my loads till I was happy with the results at 50 yards which is my hunting range and used a VX-3i 1.5 - 5x Leupold scope. Also happy to mention there was no lead fouling even after 50 rounds of testing.

For my testing I waited about 10 minutes in between shots for the barrel to cool down for that cold bore shot. Thank goodness for my cabin up north and no neighbors around.

- 350 gr (sorted and actual weight - 351 gr) Jet hardcast bullets with gas check @ 0.459"
- 45 gr of IMR 3031
- Remington brass
- CCI Larger Rifle Primers
- Average 1581 fps
- 1/2" @ 50 yards

Finally!!

[Squatch]

Nice! 350 gr at 1,500+ fps should let you know you just squeezed the trigger on a 45/70!

I've found my rifle seems to like 350 gr bullets as well.

Surprisingly enough sometimes it seems my rifle shoots a bit more consistent with a fairly warm barrel.

[Mr.RoC]

She definitely barks and has a bite... I ended up having to put a folded up towel in between the recoil pad and my shoulder.

This load will me my goto hunting round and the older, 1257 fps, load will be for plinking till I run out of the Bullet Barn hardcast bullets.

[JEBar]

congratulations indeed .... I'm in the early stages of working up hunting & practice loads for our 45-70 .... I'd be delighted if I end up with results like yours

[Mr.RoC]

Good Luck... I'm sure you will.

[JEBar]

for practice loads my goal is to duplicate the performance of HSM's Cowboy Action Ammo ===> http://www.cabelas.com/product/HSM-COWB ... 993326.uts <=== it performs extremely well in our 45-70 and is literally a pleasure to shoot .... it's recoil is such I can fire a box or two at a single setting and enjoy doing so ....

[Mr.RoC]

With the 350gr bullet barn hardcast with 30gr of IMR 4198 @ 1257 fps this was my most accurate and fairly consistent load at 80 Yards. For me this is Ok for target practice but not 100% confident as a deer or bear hunting load.

[BigAl52]

Nice group. Gives me something to go by as I am currently working with an all weather to get it to shoot. I have a CCH that shoots real well but I havent had time to work with the all weather yet. Al