45-70 powder options

[nakneker]

A friend of mine just bought his first 45-70, a Marlin/Ruger. It’s being shipped and he should have next week. I’ve been shooting a lot of 45-70 the last couple years and I’ve been feeding my #1 and two Marlins a steady diet of AA5744. My friend doesn’t have any 5744 so I’m looking for other recommendations.

The powders I consider good choices for 45-70 are IMR4198, IMR 3031, Reloader 7, H322, all of which are hard to find right now. Hodgdon has IMR 3031 but the price is making look for other options. So that’s the reason for the thread. He has 300 gr jacketed HPs, 325 grain FTX, 350 grain flat points on hand, all of which are Hornady. I haven’t really dug into pistol powders, I see Unique mentioned for reduced loads with a filler, 2400 gets mentioned here and there. I’m really curious about VV N120, N130, maybe even N133 all of which are in stock, priced decent and have reloading data on the Vihtavouri website. Have any of you have experience with VV? Is there another powder I should be looking at?

I’ve been happy with 5744 but I wouldn’t mind trying another powder or two, I may join him in the fun. Any experience or input along these lines is appreciated.

 

[DiffEQ]

but the price is making look for other options

LOL
N120 is my go-to with 405gr hard cast

 

[itchyTF]

70 gr of black powder?

 

[nakneker]

LOL
N120 is my go-to with 405gr hard cast

That where my heads at, N120 or N130. Thanks!

 

[rayporter]

choose your powder wisely. a hard to find powder can make you say bad words next year.

2 of us did not like the 325 Hornady. cases needed work and accuracy was off.

 

[DiffEQ]

70 gr of black powder?

Better not be 4F

 

[joshb]

I recently found a 5# of RL 7. It cost me dearly but I figure if I want to play, I’ll have to pay.
I didn’t know that VV was an option. Good to hear!

 

[Orr89rocz]

Maybe accurate 2015 or 2230? I liked 4198 in my 458 win mag light loads and couldnt find it and 2015 made a real light load with barnes 300 ttsx

 

[std7mag]

I'm running through the box of Federal ammo that i bought with my Henry single shot.

Plan on reloading with 300gr Sierra's and 4198.

 

[Steel Mover]

R-7 or 4064 for a new Marlin lever gun, #1 type single shot or Mauser. The 300 JHP makes a nice deer or hog load. Works well with the 444 or 375 as well. 2015 does work. Cast and Unique.

 

[Dou8leD]

2nd RL7 with 405 gr bullet, clears trees that may be in the way between you and your 4 legged romantic dinner, love it!

 

[Charlie-NY]

I use H4198 regardless of bullet weight. It seems universally applicable in the 45-70. I have also had good luck with RE7, which produced slightly tighter groups with some bullets.

 

[nakneker]

I haven’t seen any IMR 4198 or Reloader 7 available, it’s the reason for the thread actually. Avaiability and pricing, those two powders have gotten expensive since the first of the year.

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

It's discontinued but 4759 is good for factory duplex, Varget,30-31 &4198. 50 GR 30-31 for marlin etc almost Elmer Keith load, I find no reason to buy jacketed bullets,having gone to cast, and will stay to trapdoor loads since powder is expensive 37 GR 3031, and I have no problem with black 65gr fff.