mild recoil 45-70 loads?

[hillbillydruggist]

any suggestions? Thanks

 

[AJC]

For what purpose. I shoot trail boss for Metal targets but your not going to reach out very far. Kind of like throwing a rock

 

[MagnumManiac]

70gr FFF black powder and a 500gr hard cast is very mild in the recoil department.
Other than that, factory 405gr stuff is very mild in recoil.

Cheers.

 

[rr2030]

Just went through this. 300 gr. cast with gas check, 40 grains of H4198, WLR primers, just enough crimp to close the case. Pleasant to shoot off hand.

 

[BenPerfected]

The best way to tame the 45-70 is to not use primers. A 2nd option is to sell the gun and a 3rd option is just be prepared to flinch a lot. Likely there are more options.
Ben

 

[hillbillydruggist]

For what purpose. I shoot trail boss for Metal targets but your not going to reach out very far. Kind of like throwing a rock

that was kinda what I was looking for, how much TB?

 

[JohnKielly]

Lyman has updated their250 grain Collar Button mold, so it seems.

 

[Dub]

I use 28gr of H4198 and a 405gr lead bullet (Magnus) this is a trapdoor load so plenty mild. I shoot it out to 300 yards with my Sharps rifle. Pretty accurate and VERY mild

 

[joshb]

I started loading “trap door loads” in my Winchester. They’re fairly mild with a 300 grain bullets. I used 3031 and 4198. They are fun to shoot! Here’s a pic of my Hornady book:

 

[Carolina Man]

Depends on what type rifle. There usually about 3 different loadings for the 45-70. Some for the old trapdoor riflr, more for the Marlin lever gun and some real asskickers for the Ruger single shot. I like 53 grains of 3031 an the Hornady 350 gr bullets in my lever gun. 4895 in my Ruger. And 70 gr 3f black in my Sharps with a 535 gr cast bullet. In the Ruger you can get real close to the 458 Win Mag loads. Take your pick based on your rifle.

 

[gumbo333]

Check this site for low power cast load data: gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata. Has lots of 45/70 data plus many others. Lots of good info.

 

[RampedRaptor]

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm


Great source that I’ve referenced several times.

 

[gary0529]

I find that a 300 gr jacketed over 50 gr IMR 3031 is not too punishing and does a bang up job on whitetails.
I have been using a Hornady 300 gr mostly because that's what I have on hand.
Did make the mistake once and tried 500 gr lead over a stout load of Varget in my Marlin 1895. Shall I say the remaining rounds were dis-assembled LOL

Gary

 

[Medic505]

that was kinda what I was looking for, how much TB?

16.0 grains of Trail Boss and a 405 gr cast bullet is my favorite in a sharps. It will shoot 300 yards, takes a while to get there, but it's a ton of fun.

 

[dcali]

I’m pretty sure that it’s not even legal to make mild .45-70 loads. Crimes against nature or some such.

 

[scubohuntr]

Just use the Trapdoor loads in any loading manual, and probably bullets in the 300-350 grain range. You won't be getting the full potential of the .45-70 on either end, but depending on what you're shooting it out of, that may be a good thing. As for factory 405 grain loads, they may not have much recoil in a Sharps, but in a Ruger #3 they will beat you bloody.

 

[XTR]

Any of the 350 gr loads under 1500 FPS are not bad, if you get them down closer to the 1200 FPS range its downright pleasant.

405s keep them under 1200 FPS and you won't have recoil issues. Factory Remington load that are Springfield safe chrono subsonic (under 1000fps) in my highwall and were nothing for recoil.

I've experimented up to T-rex loads with mine. I'd advise against it, you can't get tags for them anyway. I run my hunting loads at about 1800 FPS with the 405s, it's stout, but it's nothing like 350s at close to 2500, that's a slobberknocker.


I've experimented up to T-rex loads with mine. I'd advise against it, you can't get tags for them anyway.

You're going to find that shooting groups with the big bore rifles is harder than the rifles to which you may be accustomed. The torque is surprising.

 

[AJC]

I find the lever revolution rounds to be not friendly. 3031 rounds under a 325 loaded to trapdoor spec were ok but the trail boss load is just for fun. I would never hunt with a trail boss load.

 

[Downhill]

Run the lighter bullets. Given their size they will plow a hole through anything pointed at. I have the Marlin guide gun in 45-70, love to shoot it but don't shoot that much in one outing.