45-70 load data ?

[rr2030]

I just picked up a 99% Ruger #1 in 45-70 and need some input on load data. I was hoping to use 405 gr cast bullets with a gas check but am open to other successful loads. I have a multitude of loading manuals, many are not current and there are so many new bullets for this calibre it makes choosing one a challenge. Mainly I will be hunting the elusive paper target and steel plate with this rifle but may take game with it some day. Will likely be forced to buy factory produced non led ammo when I do. So who here has done some 45-70 loading.

Thanks ...

 

[SSL]

I haven't loaded for the 45/70 for years, but I mostly used IMR 3031 and H322 with good luck. If I can find my old load records I'll let you know. Great cartridge. You have a wide range of loads available for your Ruger ranging from original pressures to real shoulder bruisers!

 

[CharlieNC]

Checkout the Beartooth bullets website. In addition to selling bullets, the forums offer mucho info.

 

[BenPerfected]

My thought is not reload for a 45-70 as in my case the 45-70 round has too much recoil for very much shooting. Add up all the cost for dies and components you will likely save $ by shooting factory ammo.
Pussey in TX,
Ben

 

[rr2030]

Checkout the Beartooth bullets website. In addition to selling bullets, the forums offer mucho info.

Nice website, didn't find the data I was looking for yet but will look some more..
Side note: they are having a heated discussion about shooting Whitetail deer in the brain with the 22-250 ! There is no escape lol.

 

[shoot4fun]

When I had a Sharps copy rifle I used Accurate 5744 powder and 405 grain cast bullets. Softer recoil for sure.
I think, as @BenPerfected suggested, I would likely shoot factory ammo for hunting. The Hornady Flex-Tip stuff is great but if you need non-lead ammo you could be in trouble. Not sure anyone produces that.

 

[rr2030]

Several attempts to order 405 gr with GC dumps me back to the main menu and clears my cart when I select "estimate shipping"

 

[rayporter]

the hornady 250 monoflex has no lead

46 gr of 4198 has it about 1970 fps starting out and the radar says it is going 1600 at 100y.

 

[rr2030]

As stated earlier, if and when its time to hunt I will purchase loaded non lead ammo. I have everything to load for this except the bullets, powder and recipes.

Now, who has been loading for the forty five seventy and would like to share info?

 

[Uncle Ed]

I "HAD" a Ruger #3 carbine in 45-70, I mainly shot Hornady 300 grain bullets out of it. Then a "friend" at work gave me three 500 grain soft points made for the .458 magnum. I fired two of the 500 grain bullets and both times I ended up with a bloody nose and lost interest in shooting 500 grain bullets in a 5 1/2 pound rifle.

I should have bought the Ruger No.3 rifle in 30-40 Krag or .22 Hornet but the 45-70 barrel was stamped "Made in the 200 year of American Liberty". But patriotism and 1976 has nothing to do with blood gushing painful recoil, so I traded the rifle in on a 30-30 Winchester Trapper model with a 16 1/2 inch barrel.

I had to take the sizing die to work and open up the bottom half of the die because it was reducing the base diameter of the case excessively. So pay attention to your sizing. I had a fat chamber or a skinny die and the cases looked like sizing a .357 with a carbide die with wasp waisted cases.

Bottom line even the light weight bullets are not something you spend hours shooting at the range. And the next day your shoulder will remind you that you should have bought a .223.

 

[LitLBoy]

Shoot4fun has the right idea, 405 cast and 5744 powder, load at about 1300fps, pillow ticking and a card wad under the bullet.
LitLBoy

 

[rebel]

I'm a 3031 guy. This is the first centerfire rifle cartridge I ever loaded for. Had 3031 found a load for my rifle. It's hot but it works. Shoot a 300 HP Speer. You can find data in any Lyman book or Hodgdon reloading on-line. It's a fairly straight forward cartridge to load for.

 

[ms6852]

Check out Missouri Bullets Co. they are very reputable and they even do powder coating on the lead bullets. I use Accurate 5744 to reload for my Sharps. Here is the link:
http://www.missouribullet.com

 

[hoz53]

I just picked up a 99% Ruger #1 in 45-70 and need some input on load data. I was hoping to use 405 gr cast bullets with a gas check but am open to other successful loads. I have a multitude of loading manuals, many are not current and there are so many new bullets for this calibre it makes choosing one a challenge. Mainly I will be hunting the elusive paper target and steel plate with this rifle but may take game with it some day. Will likely be forced to buy factory produced non led ammo when I do. So who here has done some 45-70 loading.

Thanks ...

I asked this question in the past here and got quite a few replies so you may want to do a search

 

[mikeinct]

Once you pick the bullet you or your rifle likes...reloading cast bullets at moderate velocities turns many Big bores into really fun shooters...We used to do quite a few reduced loads in the 458 magnum ..& the 375H&H....Have some fun with it....Mike in Ct

 

[gdbleb]

Browning 1885, vintage 1997, Traditional Hunter with the curved buttplate (big mistake), 1:20 twist.
300 gr JSP (Sierra or Hornaday) w/ 30 gr IMR 4227 - 1550 fps per Sierra reload manual - 1460 fps per my chronograph - accuracy is OK but nothing to write home about.
350 gr LaserCut FP Lead w/ 30 gr Trail Boss - no chrono data - same sight settings as above - very accurate at 300 yards off a bag (9's & 10's on a SR target) - recoil is very tolerable if wearing a shooting coat - bullet flight time is long ;-)
I'd stick with lead at slow velocities. It does much better than jacketed.
High velocities would mandate jacketed but your going to go to ~40 gr. of powder and be prepared for some loose fillings if that Ruger #1 is ~7 lbs. ;-)

 

[M-61]

I like occasionally to put some 45-70 rounds to use. A Browning lever (1886??) octagonal barrel, engraved, really heavy and quite accurate. My latest is a Marlin 1895SBL which the most accurate loads are with Hornady 325 gr bullets. The Hornady's are a pain to load due to their placement of the cannelure and a difference in Hornady brass length.I think it was worth the effort but my shoulder will not agree with that statement. Nice rifle as it is short and is fast to the shoulder.

 

[Frostbite]

I just picked up a 99% Ruger #1 in 45-70 and need some input on load data. I was hoping to use 405 gr cast bullets with a gas check but am open to other successful loads. I have a multitude of loading manuals, many are not current and there are so many new bullets for this calibre it makes choosing one a challenge. Mainly I will be hunting the elusive paper target and steel plate with this rifle but may take game with it some day. Will likely be forced to buy factory produced non led ammo when I do. So who here has done some 45-70 loading.

Thanks ...

For light recoiling loads IMI Trailboss is a very good powder to use in the 45-70. You can get 1000 -1200 fps with 405 gr. bullets without the need to use fillers to fill up excess cartridge space. Use 13gr. to 18 gr.

H4198 will give you 1300- 1450 fps. if you use between 30gr. and 32 gr. but the case is only about half full so you might want to use a wad of filler over the powder for more consistent powder burn. Recoil is lite to moderate in a
9 lb. rifle.

Twenty five grains of Accurate 5744 will produce about 1300 fps with 405 gr cast bullets. Lite recoil.

 

[nicholst55]

Buffalo Bore, Barnes and Double Tap all offer lead-free factory .45-70 ammo, as I'm sure some others do.

 

[rr2030]

Well, me thinks, that after looking at cast bullets on line, I will order the 300 grain LFNGC,(I like gas checks) from Graf & Sons, in stock, and a flat $7.95 shipping for 100. Now if only I could locate my Lyman manual that I purchased in junior high, I might be able to put together a nice reasonably soft load. I'm still recovering from shoulder surgery and don't want to knock the bolts loose.

Thanks for the replies