Got the 45-70 ready for deer

[Pistolero]

Test case for 57 gr W748 under Rem 405.
It's a good hunting load. One shot, broke both shoulders, bullet found fully expanded against
hide on the far side. He went about 30 yds.

Fiver - I use a magnum primer, not tested with std, but with a bucket of
ball powder, it seemed like a good idea. Works so good (like 1-2" groups at 100 yds) that
I have never tried a std primer version. Same-same with 405 Speer, 405 Rem or 405 GC RCBS.

Healthy recoil, but no nosebleeds like 2100 fps loads, never to be repeated by me. Not
literal nosebleeds but you wonder about detached retinas and such, and the shoulder is
NOT happy, even with a Kick-EEZ pad, which is really effective. Back down to 1750 and
no real sweat, at least to me. Certainly not a plinking load to shoot 100 in a day, but groups
of 5 from the bench are no problem, and hunting is no issue at all.

Bill

 

[fiver]

I think with 748 a hotter primer is a good idea.
I have tried it reduced with standard primers and found it to shoot poorly in a few different rifles.

I have never been a fan of recoil, so try to work with each rifle to find that balance of trajectory and accuracy necessary to get the job done then work within it's limits.

 

[Chris]

Along the same lines, near max loads of 3031 shoot better and cleaner using mag primers. Need to work up using them, but groups improve and no more powder carcasses in the barrel.

 

[Chris]

View attachment 2363
Test case for 57 gr W748 under Rem 405.
It's a good hunting load. One shot, broke both shoulders, bullet found fully expanded against
hide on the far side. He went about 30 yds.

Fiver - I use a magnum primer, not tested with std, but with a bucket of
ball powder, it seemed like a good idea. Works so good (like 1-2" groups at 100 yds) that
I have never tried a std primer version. Same-same with 405 Speer, 405 Rem or 405 GC RCBS.

Healthy recoil, but no nosebleeds like 2100 fps loads, never to be repeated by me. Not
literal nosebleeds but you wonder about detached retinas and such, and the shoulder is
NOT happy, even with a Kick-EEZ pad, which is really effective. Back down to 1750 and
no real sweat, at least to me. Certainly not a plinking load to shoot 100 in a day, but groups
of 5 from the bench are no problem, and hunting is no issue at all.

Bill

Bill, what do the data say about a starting load with 748, .45/70-405 gr? I bought a pound to try based on your earlier this year recommendation.

Cursory check of my books shows nothing useful and for some reason I can't get into the Hodgdon site.

 

[Texas Hillbilly]

Anybody still shootings 45-70 with a case load of Black Powder?
I picked up a 1874 Sharps with a 34"barrel last week not sure if I want to go shot a full load, gun is good,but my shoulder isn't up to a lot of recoil these days.
Guys what's your best low pressure loads?.

 

[fiver]

10grs of Unique is pretty hard to beat for low and slow.
the weight of the bullet will do the rest.
you just need to figure out your drops over distance.

 

[Texas Hillbilly]

Thanks fiver, I've found a old load from many years back,14 grs.of 4227with the 405gr bullet,found out today that same NOE 460405 only weighs 327 gr. with my alloy and a large HP pin.so it should be good over the old 3.8 grs of Bullseye too.

 

[SierraHunter]

45/70 is one of my favorite rounds. I have shot palm sized groups with the trapdoor in my profile picture at 200 yards.

 

[Texas Hillbilly]

Hmmm I started with the same trapdoor 60+ years ago just wish I had that one now,my records are kinda shake and/or lacking for that time.

 

[35 shooter]

View attachment 2363
Test case for 57 gr W748 under Rem 405.
It's a good hunting load. One shot, broke both shoulders, bullet found fully expanded against
hide on the far side. He went about 30 yds.

Fiver - I use a magnum primer, not tested with std, but with a bucket of
ball powder, it seemed like a good idea. Works so good (like 1-2" groups at 100 yds) that
I have never tried a std primer version. Same-same with 405 Speer, 405 Rem or 405 GC RCBS.

Healthy recoil, but no nosebleeds like 2100 fps loads, never to be repeated by me. Not
literal nosebleeds but you wonder about detached retinas and such, and the shoulder is
NOT happy, even with a Kick-EEZ pad, which is really effective. Back down to 1750 and
no real sweat, at least to me. Certainly not a plinking load to shoot 100 in a day, but groups
of 5 from the bench are no problem, and hunting is no issue at all.

Bill

Darn if you don't have a bit of the Teddy Roosevelt look going on there with the hat, mustache, and big cal. lever rifle....cool pic for sure!

 

[Texas Hillbilly]

Yes Sir he does look a little like Teddy, Bill where did you get that beast?