Light load for 45-70?

Six Pack · January 19, 2017, 02:44 PM

I have been shooting my Marlin 1895 near max with H4198 and a 350g Hornady flat points and decided to look for a light load using 300g Speer Hollow points. Anyone have a good accurate starting point for maybe 1500-1800fps? Might use them for Hillcountry whitetails but mostly just plinking with my grandson.

steveno · January 19, 2017, 05:02 PM

18 grains of Unique is good for about 1,450 fps out of a Ruger #1S (22 inch barrel)with a 300 grain Remington hollow point. 3 shots into an inch at 100 yards. it would be good for deer out to about 100 to 125 yards and very easy on recoil.

ericuda · January 19, 2017, 07:05 PM

Trailboss will give you a decent light load but not the velocity you want. I would move up to the 405 slugs and shoot for 12 to 1300 fps for a good all around load. AA5744 also treats me very well and good powder for the round.

One hole · January 19, 2017, 11:09 PM

48 grains of IMR 3031 works great for me with speer and Hornady 300 gr. hollow point,
keep in mind these bullets are made to perform at 1500 to 1800 fps I used to try to push these bullets close to 2000 fps and found that faster is not always better with these big bores..
the 2nd deer I shot with my 45-70 was a brush shot at 15 yards. The deer and I both started moving at the same time and I hit it square in the right shoulder and it knocked the deer flat but it jumped up about as fast as it went down. It took 2nd shot put a stop to it. Upon checking out the shot in its shoulder I found that the hollow point bullet blew apart and did not get thru to the vitals. Since then I slowed em down a bit a haven't stopped a bullet in a dear since.

steveno · January 20, 2017, 01:43 AM

looking back through my records I also found

30 grains of 2400 with the 300 grain Remington hollow point was good for 1640 fps.

28 grains of 2400 with the 300 grain Remington hollow point was good for 1540 fps,

ShootistPRS · January 20, 2017, 02:01 AM

56 grains of H4895 will net you about 1700 fps and it is listed as a starting load for Marlin 1895 and Winchester model 1886 lever guns. Hodgdon says you can take that load down to 37.2 without problems (60% of maximum listed charge).

zeke · January 20, 2017, 09:06 AM

Can still use H4198 to drop your velocity to 1800 fps with 300 jhp, with ex accuracy.

cpt-t · January 20, 2017, 11:16 PM

Six Pack: I have been reloading for a 45-70, for a long time. And My Son and I have several Rifles in 45-70. The load we use in all of them the most is 35grs of IMR3031 with a 405gr Hard Cast LRNFP Bullet. We use this load for 95% of all our shooting of our 45-70`s. We Hunt Deer & Pigs, Cowboy Action Shoot, Shoot Steel Silhouettes, and it is just great for a all around Plinking Rifle. This load is comfortable to shoot and is very accurate for us. And it does most everything we need it to do.
ken

ireload2 · January 22, 2017, 10:01 AM

Check out this site and the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.

Remember that many lighter loads can be double charged if you are sloppy.
You need to charge all cases then examine the powder level in all of them with a flashlight looking for double charges.

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

Six Pack · January 22, 2017, 12:17 PM

Thanks to all for the input. Looks like I have several options and some loading to do.

Ireload2, good suggestion and sound practice! I do it every time I load anything and have found a few screw ups over the years.

Road_Clam · January 23, 2017, 06:17 AM

28 gr of 4198 using a hard cast 405 gr rnfp shoots about 1230 fps out of my 1884 TD.

m&p45acp10+1 · January 24, 2017, 11:20 AM

I use Trail Boss it works. I have used Red Dot though I would not do it again unless it was all I had.

Nate762 · January 25, 2017, 02:48 AM

My loads with 300 grain Hornady hollow points with 4198 has been around 36 grains. I didn't see if you were using Hodgedon or IMR. That is starting load for IMR. Hodgedon 4198 is 42.3 as listed roughly 1600 fps.

Also, for just plinking I don't like to spend a lot. The cast bullets shoot well in my Marlin. 405 grainers as listed before my post despite 1200 fps were the same basic ballistics the US army developed back in the trapdoor days. Enough for bison, so should dispatch a whitetail easily. Plus if you get a Lyman or Lee mould and smelting pot, it's much much cheaper and you can plink even more.

zeke · January 25, 2017, 08:23 AM

Win brass, Fed 210 primer., Marlin guide gun, factory replication loads.

Win 300 gn factory = 1770 fps

Rem 300 gn jhp, 2.540 col
47.0 gns H4198 = 1790 fps very good accuracy
45.0 gns IMR-4198 = 1750 fps, excellent accuracy
54.0 gns h-322 = 1800 fps, decent to very good accuracy

kraigwy · January 26, 2017, 11:43 AM

Quote:

28 gr of 4198 using a hard cast 405 gr rnfp shoots about 1230 fps out of my 1884 TD.

This load gives you the same velocity of the original 405 BP Load for the 45-70. I found it to be exceptionally accurate in both my Brown 1895 High Wall and my '73 Trapdoor.

This load is safe in the old Springfield Trapdoors, (assuming they are in good shape), plus it's mild shooting when using these guns with the steel butt plate.

The only difference I add to Road Clam's load, is I put a 45 cal. veg. fiber wad over my powder so that the powder sets consistently in the case for each round, no matter the angle I'm shooting. You'll notice this in long range practicing such as the Creedmoor Matches (800,900, 1000 yards).

Note: The Creedmoor Matches require BP, but the 4198 is good for practicing as it uses the same sight settings as my BP loads.

Road_Clam · January 26, 2017, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigwy

The only difference I add to Road Clam's load, is I put a 45 cal. veg. fiber wad over my powder so that the powder sets consistently in the case for each round, no matter the angle I'm shooting.

Last couple times I shot your suggested load I did notice a few un-burnt powder kernels in the chamber of my TD. I am going to start wadding the charged cases as well. I got some 1/2" polyfill batting from Walmart.

Deja vu · January 27, 2017, 12:08 AM

For a light load I use trail boss and a 45 caliber round ball... I they are made for pistols so they are a little small unless you order them larger. http://hunters-supply.com/shop/cheap...cbetc1i9m28kb2 has .458 caliber round balls.

I load them over tail boss. They move about 1000 fps and are super quiet and super low recoil.

ilmonster · January 29, 2017, 10:10 PM

There is a real good reference for light 45-70 loads at gmdr.com. I shoot one of their 1,175 fps loads in my 22" 1895 using 300 gr. RNFP over 15.0 gr. of HS-6. Can shoot these all day long and reload them economically. Great plinking loads. I don't hunt, so I shoot these at paper and steel. With a Limbsaver pad on my 1895, these are real enjoyable loads. Cheers!

January 19, 2017, 11:09 PM	#4
One hole Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2017 Posts: 10	45-70 load for 1895 marlin 48 grains of IMR 3031 works great for me with speer and Hornady 300 gr. hollow point, keep in mind these bullets are made to perform at 1500 to 1800 fps I used to try to push these bullets close to 2000 fps and found that faster is not always better with these big bores.. the 2nd deer I shot with my 45-70 was a brush shot at 15 yards. The deer and I both started moving at the same time and I hit it square in the right shoulder and it knocked the deer flat but it jumped up about as fast as it went down. It took 2nd shot put a stop to it. Upon checking out the shot in its shoulder I found that the hollow point bullet blew apart and did not get thru to the vitals. Since then I slowed em down a bit a haven't stopped a bullet in a dear since.

January 20, 2017, 11:16 PM	#8
cpt-t Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2012 Location: South Central Kansas Posts: 125	Six Pack: I have been reloading for a 45-70, for a long time. And My Son and I have several Rifles in 45-70. The load we use in all of them the most is 35grs of IMR3031 with a 405gr Hard Cast LRNFP Bullet. We use this load for 95% of all our shooting of our 45-70`s. We Hunt Deer & Pigs, Cowboy Action Shoot, Shoot Steel Silhouettes, and it is just great for a all around Plinking Rifle. This load is comfortable to shoot and is very accurate for us. And it does most everything we need it to do. ken __________________ THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS NOT FREE:

January 23, 2017, 06:17 AM	#11
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	28 gr of 4198 using a hard cast 405 gr rnfp shoots about 1230 fps out of my 1884 TD. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

January 24, 2017, 11:20 AM	#12
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I use Trail Boss it works. I have used Red Dot though I would not do it again unless it was all I had. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

January 27, 2017, 12:08 AM	#17
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	For a light load I use trail boss and a 45 caliber round ball... I they are made for pistols so they are a little small unless you order them larger. http://hunters-supply.com/shop/cheap...cbetc1i9m28kb2 has .458 caliber round balls. I load them over tail boss. They move about 1000 fps and are super quiet and super low recoil. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

January 19, 2017, 02:44 PM	#1
Six Pack Member Join Date: May 7, 2016 Posts: 37	Light load for 45-70? I have been shooting my Marlin 1895 near max with H4198 and a 350g Hornady flat points and decided to look for a light load using 300g Speer Hollow points. Anyone have a good accurate starting point for maybe 1500-1800fps? Might use them for Hillcountry whitetails but mostly just plinking with my grandson.

January 19, 2017, 05:02 PM	#2
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	18 grains of Unique is good for about 1,450 fps out of a Ruger #1S (22 inch barrel)with a 300 grain Remington hollow point. 3 shots into an inch at 100 yards. it would be good for deer out to about 100 to 125 yards and very easy on recoil.

January 19, 2017, 07:05 PM	#3
ericuda Member Join Date: May 19, 2012 Location: nwkansas Posts: 44	Trailboss will give you a decent light load but not the velocity you want. I would move up to the 405 slugs and shoot for 12 to 1300 fps for a good all around load. AA5744 also treats me very well and good powder for the round.

January 20, 2017, 01:43 AM	#5
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	looking back through my records I also found 30 grains of 2400 with the 300 grain Remington hollow point was good for 1640 fps. 28 grains of 2400 with the 300 grain Remington hollow point was good for 1540 fps,

January 20, 2017, 02:01 AM	#6
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	56 grains of H4895 will net you about 1700 fps and it is listed as a starting load for Marlin 1895 and Winchester model 1886 lever guns. Hodgdon says you can take that load down to 37.2 without problems (60% of maximum listed charge).

January 20, 2017, 09:06 AM	#7
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	Can still use H4198 to drop your velocity to 1800 fps with 300 jhp, with ex accuracy.

January 22, 2017, 10:01 AM	#9
ireload2 Junior member Join Date: December 23, 2016 Posts: 30	Check out this site and the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. Remember that many lighter loads can be double charged if you are sloppy. You need to charge all cases then examine the powder level in all of them with a flashlight looking for double charges. http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

January 22, 2017, 12:17 PM	#10
Six Pack Member Join Date: May 7, 2016 Posts: 37	Thanks to all for the input. Looks like I have several options and some loading to do. Ireload2, good suggestion and sound practice! I do it every time I load anything and have found a few screw ups over the years.

January 25, 2017, 02:48 AM	#13
Nate762 Junior Member Join Date: January 10, 2017 Posts: 11	My loads with 300 grain Hornady hollow points with 4198 has been around 36 grains. I didn't see if you were using Hodgedon or IMR. That is starting load for IMR. Hodgedon 4198 is 42.3 as listed roughly 1600 fps. Also, for just plinking I don't like to spend a lot. The cast bullets shoot well in my Marlin. 405 grainers as listed before my post despite 1200 fps were the same basic ballistics the US army developed back in the trapdoor days. Enough for bison, so should dispatch a whitetail easily. Plus if you get a Lyman or Lee mould and smelting pot, it's much much cheaper and you can plink even more.

January 25, 2017, 08:23 AM	#14
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	Win brass, Fed 210 primer., Marlin guide gun, factory replication loads. Win 300 gn factory = 1770 fps Rem 300 gn jhp, 2.540 col 47.0 gns H4198 = 1790 fps very good accuracy 45.0 gns IMR-4198 = 1750 fps, excellent accuracy 54.0 gns h-322 = 1800 fps, decent to very good accuracy

January 29, 2017, 10:10 PM	#18
ilmonster Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 180	There is a real good reference for light 45-70 loads at gmdr.com. I shoot one of their 1,175 fps loads in my 22" 1895 using 300 gr. RNFP over 15.0 gr. of HS-6. Can shoot these all day long and reload them economically. Great plinking loads. I don't hunt, so I shoot these at paper and steel. With a Limbsaver pad on my 1895, these are real enjoyable loads. Cheers!