45-70 reduced load?

Dilbert · September 20, 2009, 06:05 PM

Hello, I just got a Marlin in 45-70 and was looking to reload for it. I have about 1000 230gr bullets that I bought when I had a 45 that I no longer have a use for. Anyone know of a 45 Colt equivalent load for the 45-70?

flashhole · September 20, 2009, 06:10 PM

You will be well advised to check the diameter of your bullets. The 45-70 shoots a .457" - .459" diameter bullet. A 45 caliber handgun bullet is considerably smaller in diameter and won't work in the 45-70.

Christchild · September 20, 2009, 06:14 PM

.45 caliber bullets vary in diameter...

.45 ACP is .451" diameter, while bullets for .45-70 Gov. are .458". I WOULD NOT suggest using those 230 grainers in Your .45-70 cartridges, unless that's an odd weight in .458" diameter. Put Your calipers on 'em. If they're .458" diameter, use them, but 230 grains doesn't sound like .458" bullets.

Edward429451 · September 20, 2009, 06:51 PM

Not only that, but Marlins are known to like fat bullets for accuracy. I size my 45/70 bullets at .460 and my Marlin just loves them...

My first couple batches of handloads for 45/70 were .457 and leaded the barrel something fierce. Go on, try those .452 bullets in it! Can you say I like cleaning lead out of my Marlin?

Uh, save your money and don't buy any cowboy loads for your Marlin. They are .457 and lead lead lead it up...ask me how I know.

Dilbert · September 20, 2009, 09:20 PM

Alright then, thanks for the advice. You all were right, they are too small. Hmm, guess I'll have to try something else then.

AlaskaMike · September 21, 2009, 11:22 AM

Just look for data for the older .45-70 rifles with weaker actions, like the Trapdoor Springfield.

Mike

B.L.E. · September 21, 2009, 09:13 PM

Sorry, but .45 pistol bullets are too small for .45-70 rifles. You can buy 300 grain cast bullets that are .458 and 10 grains of Unique behind a 300 grain bullet is a very pleasant to shoot plinking round.

Hodgon also lists .45-70 loads for their new Trail Boss powder, a powder designed for reduced velocity "cowboy action shooting" (gamer) loads.

Seedtick · September 21, 2009, 11:33 PM

Hey Dilbert, You ought to put a post in the Buy, Sell and Trade: Holsters, Gear and Accessories forum and see if someone will swap bullets with you. Or you could put yours up for sale and then buy some different ones from the proceeds???

ST

Dilbert · September 22, 2009, 02:54 PM

Yeah, I was thinking about selling or trading them, I'll probably do it locally though. The range indoor range I shoot at doesn't allow rifle rounds, so I was looking for something I could shoot there without having to shoot in the heat. I think the 300 gr with the Unique might work, I'll have to talk with them. Thank you all for your help, this place is awesome.

September 20, 2009, 06:05 PM	#1
Dilbert Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: DMAFB, AZ Posts: 342	45-70 reduced load? Hello, I just got a Marlin in 45-70 and was looking to reload for it. I have about 1000 230gr bullets that I bought when I had a 45 that I no longer have a use for. Anyone know of a 45 Colt equivalent load for the 45-70? __________________ Gun Control-gun con·trol n. definition 1. The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker received that fatal bullet wound. 2. The ability to hit what you are aiming at.

September 20, 2009, 06:10 PM	#2
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	You will be well advised to check the diameter of your bullets. The 45-70 shoots a .457" - .459" diameter bullet. A 45 caliber handgun bullet is considerably smaller in diameter and won't work in the 45-70. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

September 20, 2009, 09:20 PM	#5
Dilbert Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: DMAFB, AZ Posts: 342	Alright then, thanks for the advice. You all were right, they are too small. Hmm, guess I'll have to try something else then. __________________ Gun Control-gun con·trol n. definition 1. The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker received that fatal bullet wound. 2. The ability to hit what you are aiming at.

September 21, 2009, 11:33 PM	#8
Seedtick Member Join Date: June 11, 2009 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 45	Another Idea Hey Dilbert, You ought to put a post in the Buy, Sell and Trade: Holsters, Gear and Accessories forum and see if someone will swap bullets with you. Or you could put yours up for sale and then buy some different ones from the proceeds??? ST __________________ Parasite On Society : /

September 22, 2009, 02:54 PM	#9
Dilbert Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: DMAFB, AZ Posts: 342	Yeah, I was thinking about selling or trading them, I'll probably do it locally though. The range indoor range I shoot at doesn't allow rifle rounds, so I was looking for something I could shoot there without having to shoot in the heat. I think the 300 gr with the Unique might work, I'll have to talk with them. Thank you all for your help, this place is awesome. __________________ Gun Control-gun con·trol n. definition 1. The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker received that fatal bullet wound. 2. The ability to hit what you are aiming at.

September 20, 2009, 06:14 PM	#3
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	.45 caliber bullets vary in diameter... .45 ACP is .451" diameter, while bullets for .45-70 Gov. are .458". I WOULD NOT suggest using those 230 grainers in Your .45-70 cartridges, unless that's an odd weight in .458" diameter. Put Your calipers on 'em. If they're .458" diameter, use them, but 230 grains doesn't sound like .458" bullets.

September 20, 2009, 06:51 PM	#4
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Not only that, but Marlins are known to like fat bullets for accuracy. I size my 45/70 bullets at .460 and my Marlin just loves them... My first couple batches of handloads for 45/70 were .457 and leaded the barrel something fierce. Go on, try those .452 bullets in it! Can you say I like cleaning lead out of my Marlin? Uh, save your money and don't buy any cowboy loads for your Marlin. They are .457 and lead lead lead it up...ask me how I know.

September 21, 2009, 11:22 AM	#6
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Just look for data for the older .45-70 rifles with weaker actions, like the Trapdoor Springfield. Mike

September 21, 2009, 09:13 PM	#7
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	Sorry, but .45 pistol bullets are too small for .45-70 rifles. You can buy 300 grain cast bullets that are .458 and 10 grains of Unique behind a 300 grain bullet is a very pleasant to shoot plinking round. Hodgon also lists .45-70 loads for their new Trail Boss powder, a powder designed for reduced velocity "cowboy action shooting" (gamer) loads.