Light load for 45-70

[dsv424]

Can I use Trap Door recipes for a Marlin 1895? I would like to make some "light" recoil rounds for target shooting plus my daughter wants to try shooting the gun and the recipes I make now are much too strong for her to handle. For instance, in my Sierra book it shows 42.4 g. of IMR 4227 for Marlin 1895 and 26.8 for Trap Door. Could I reduce the load by that much and use it in my Marlin?

[Jim Watson]

Sure.
The gunpowder doesn't know the lever is on the bottom instead of the top.

[totaldla]

Sure - you can use trapdoor loads in the Marlin.

Personally I would use Remington 300gr JHPs running at 1200-1500fps as my "light" load - still plenty of umph for deer.

Here is some light load data using cast bullets.

[Ralph Allen]

Get a can of IMR Trail Boss. It's a bulky powder. Uses small weight, big volume charges of powder. Works great in my 1895CB. On the other side of the scale, do some research and get some 500 grain slugs with your 4227. Not for the recoil sensitive!!
Ralph

[dsv424]

Ralph, thx for the advise "in the other direction". I have been considering getting some 500 g. bullets to reload but none of my reload books have data for that size. I am a bit of a fanatic when it comes to some shoulder jarring experiences. I'll have to pick up some Trail Boss as you suggested though because I was concerned about how much empty space in the case with these light loads.

[Loader9]

Been using 12.0 grs Unique under a 350gr lead for about 40 years now. Great accuracy out of the 45-70's I have and it leaves cases absolutely clean. I'm using Lasercast bullets now and love 'em for plinkin'.

[dsv424]

Loader9, what amount of Unique would you suggest for a 300 g. JHP. Unfortunately, I don't have any 350 g. bullets. Maybe 13 g. or so?

[TXGunNut]

I like 30gr 2400 under the RP 300gr for a "light" load. Great performance on deer and hogs, easy on the shoulder too.

[deputy fife]

Not to change the subject, but I use 27.9 gr. Accurate Arms XMP5744 behind a 300 gr. lead, and I have unburnt powder left behind. Is that a problem, and if so, how do I fix it? It gives good enough accuracy for me, and is very light on recoil.

[GroovyMike]

Yep, any of the loads for the older 45-70s will work just fine in your Marlin. I like nice light plinking loads with H322 in mine for backyard fun.

[44 AMP]

As others have said, any light load will work in the Marlin. Only difference is the recoil and point of impact.

I have been using 10gr Unique under a 385-400gr cast bullet for a plinker for years in a Ruger No.3 and a Marlin 1895. Very low velocity. Very low recoil. Not a deer hunting load, but a good one for training beginner shooters on how to use the rifle.

...Accurate Arms XMP5744 behind a 300 gr. lead, and I have unburnt powder left behind. Is that a problem, and if so, how do I fix it?

Its only a problem when it gums up the gun. Or if it bothers you. Lots of unburned powder is normally a load density problem, and only happens with certain powders, at certain load levels. As long as you are within published specs, increasing the powder charge, a little at a time until complete (or mostly complete) combustion is achieved. Of course, this has the drawback of higher velocity and increased recoil. There's no free lunch.

The other choice is to change to a different powder. Some powders are just too slow, even at max pressures for some cartridges.

I had some 8700 powder and found a listed load for the .45-70, so I loaded a few. About 80% of the powder burned, and the rest turned kind of grey/golden, and sprayed all over everything when I ejected the case from my Marlin. I did shoot all half dozen rounds I had loaded, and then had to completely tear down the gun to clean it. Never used that powder in the .45-70 again.

[d garfield]

I load 405 grn. with 25 grns of IMR4759, shoots good and is clean, I have Pedersoli Quigley sharps with a 34" barrel.Getting 1315 fps with it. It is the cleanest powder I have tried.
I use the new Lyman reloading book.

[RKG]

One of my favorite .45-70 loads is 38.5 grains of IMR 3031 behind a 405-grain case flat nose. About 1250 fps from my Guide Gun; quite accurate; a pleasure to shoot; and while I'd probably use more for a walking in the woods load, the ballistics from my "range" load are nothing to laugh at.

[Clark]

I got a 45/70 handi rifle for $100 at a gun show ~ 10 years ago.
I wanted to know how to load it.
There were trapdoor loads, 1895 loads, and Ruger #1 loads.

So I set about calculating the strength of the action.
I got help from my father and a mechanical engineering professor.
I calculated that is it is good for more than 150 kpsi and the brass was only good to ~ 90 kpsi, so it was a moot point.

I started out with a trapdoor load.
It kicked me into next week.
It combined the stabbing bruising piercing pain with the kick in the face shock, with the push me way back across the room kinds of recoil

I did not fire another shot from that rifle for more than a year.
I think it was 40 gr IMR4895 and 405 gr cast, or there about.

When I shoot a 30-06, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag, I don't feel any pain.
But that 45/70 can kick so hard that I can't take it... with a trapdoor load.

[TXGunNut]

Some days, Clark, it's all about stock angle and applied physics. If you feel like cheating invest in a PAST recoil pad. 45-70 is too much fun to leave on the shelf! Try 30gr of 2400 or even BP for a more enjoyable load.

[dsv424]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions. I have found a nice low recoil recipe for my Marlin. 12.5g. of Unique behind a 405g. LFP with an OAL of 2.550. I could shoot this bullet all day long.