45-70 load data with 2400

[fiver]

I like the 2400 too.
3031 is a very, very good powder for all kinds of things [so is 4064] I just done a run of 308's with it recently and wouldn't hesitate to use it in a 30-30.
I snagged a bunch of it before the prices went nuts and even found a jug on close-out at cabela's for 165$.

in the 45-70 I'd stay faster than 4895 for sure.
H-322 will give you more velocity than you wanna talk about but it will reduce nicely with a filler, so the RL-7 will work too.

 

[Brad]

199 these days is pretty high. Then again, it is a matter of what you can find. Lots of 8 pounders for 140-150 at the Tulsa show.
This from a guy with 1 and 1/2 8 pounders......

 

[Brad]

I have used Benchmark with good results too. Like fiver said H322 is good but can give much more speed too.
RE 7 downloads well and is never a bad choice.

 

[Will]

Wanted to update this as I review this thread when getting the 45-70 ready for deer season. I ended up going with 23gr of 2400 and use 1gr tuff of Dacron to position the powder. Dacron was probably unnecessary but I was afraid when shooting down from a tree stand I would get some inconsistencies.
I ended up consistently shooting groups like this one at 100yds.

https://imgur.com/zQxvgjK

https://imgur.com/oifeZt9

 

[oscarflytyer]

Like the 2400 load. Not tried it yet, and may not, at least with the Lee 405 HB I am shooting. Pushing it with 38.5 grns of IMR 3031, MV of 1325 over chrono. Groups well and flips deer at 100 yds. And is very easy on my shoulder in the Marlin! I have the RD 300 and 350 molds. WIll prob try RL 7/4064 for those, cine I don't already have a load worked up. And the 2400!

 

[Spindrift]

Nice gun, and shooting! That should do the job, for sure. 425grs, 45 bullet..... A lot of whallop flying through the air. Happy hunting!

 

[RBHarter]

From my Strelok app for the 457193 @ 415 gr .

 

[Brad]

Good load. I view 23 gr with Dacron as same as 24 gr without. That is just one of those loads that works in most guns.

No deer on earth will last long with one of those thru the lungs.

 

[oscarflytyer]

RB - thanx for posting the ballistics. 415 gr @ 1300 mv should be about the same as my 405 gr @ 1325 mv. Drop surprises me. Figured it would be a lot more. Only shot mine on paper to 75 yds and deer at 100. And it was certainly fine for that!

 

[Brad]

First levergun silhouette match I ever fired was with the only appropriate leveraction had at the time, my Marlin 45-70. That one match was enough to get me looking for a 30-30.
I only had my then Hunting load of the 425 RD over a heap of 4895. Was in the 1700 FPS range. 25-30 sightseers were fired before a 40 round match. I was sore as hell the next day. I will say that those chickens at 50 yards went down right smart. Got all 10 pigs at 100 too.
I love my Marlin 47-70. Hard to find a poor shooting load for that rifle.

 

[oscarflytyer]

I have the Marlin 45-70. Shoot the light TD load in it (above) and works great and thumps deer. Also have a custom Rem RB in 45-70. Need to stretch it out (haven't yet). Always wanted a 45-70 and now 2. Another one of my fav cartridges!

 

[Will]

I’m really appreciating the 45-70 now that I’ve found a load that’s not abusive.
I was shooting some ammo I had loaded up to free up some brass yesterday. Came across 15 rounds with 405gr bullets on top of 49-50gr of Varget. That hurt badly. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I loaded those up.

 

[Brad]

I’m really appreciating the 45-70 now that I’ve found a load that’s not abusive.
I was shooting some ammo I had loaded up to free up some brass yesterday. Came across 15 rounds with 405gr bullets on top of 49-50gr of Varget. That hurt badly. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I loaded those up.

I still have some of that kind of stuff loaded too.
Need to shoot up some heavy 45 Colt loads as well.

 

[462]

On a whim, I loaded 47-grains of Varget and Lyman's 457193 405-grainer to try with thd Pedersoli/Navy Arms Buffalo Rifle rolling block. Ten rounds from the bench convinced me that, with a 12-pound rifle and its brass-plated carbine style crescent butt plate, the shooting fun quickly disappeared. It was an accurate load, but not as accurate as the all-day-long shooting load 14.7-grains of Unique.

 

[Will]

On a whim, I loaded 47-grains of Varget and Lyman's 457193 405-grainer to try with thd Pedersoli/Navy Arms Buffalo Rifle rolling block. Ten rounds from the bench convinced me that, with a 12-pound rifle and its brass-plated carbine style crescent butt plate, the shooting fun quickly disappeared. It was an accurate load, but not as accurate as the all-day-long shooting load 14.7-grains of Unique.

I agree the Varget loads are horrible. I have a mark on my nose right now to prove how rough they are. What’s bad is I knew it was coming and braced for it and still got scoped.
That short guide gun sure jumps even when you have a death grip on it.

 

[RBHarter]

I agree the Varget loads are horrible. I have a mark on my nose right now to prove how rough they are. What’s bad is I knew it was coming and braced for it and still got scoped.
That short guide gun sure jumps even when you have a death grip on it.

That I'll vouch for , but it's better than a 1900 fps 350 in a 5.5# Mauser in 45 Raptor . My that was assertive . "Toned down" to just 460 loads with 250s it was much more pleasant .

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have not tried 2400 in the 45/70. 5744, 4198 & RE7 have done everything I ever needed.

i have been using it in my 350 Legend cast loads and found it a bit temperamental. Within .5 g it went form no visible Or measurable pressure signs to stiff bolt and swelled case head. BUt good accuracy and not crazy velocity.

for me its been a 22 Hornet, 25/20 powder.
CW

 

[RicinYakima]

Hercules/Alliant 2400 powders, like most designed in the 1930's that were double based, have steep pressure curves. Having been one of my favorite powders for 50 years, you have to know its limitations. Once you get up to the 40,000 psi range, pressure goes up very quickly. It is very dependable in straight wall cases, Hornet, 25/20, 32/20 and 45/70. But I don't know about straight wall cases at modern pressure loading points. I am interesting in your experiences with it in the new Legend round.

 

[Brad]

I view 2400 as a great powder for cast but like Ric said I know it has limitations.
In 45-70 it is great for 13-1400 FPS loads. If I want 1600 the. I turn to a different powder.
Same in 30-30, 2400 is great for a 1600 FPS load with a 165 gr cast bullet. If I want 1800 then I turn to a different powder.