Load Advice Please 45-70 with Benchmark

300magman · September 14, 2011, 09:06 PM

I'm experimenting with a few different powders and shooting the 405gr Remington Jacketed Bulk Bullets, with CCI Primers.

Does anyone have a starting load/max load for this bullet and powder in 45-70 with a Marlin Lever action.

Even a guess-timate would be welcome as I only have one source and I always like to verify with at least 2. (BTW, my Quickload predictions are so far off with every load/powder combination that I have tried so far, with this cartridge, that I can not even use it to make an estimate)

TXGunNut · September 14, 2011, 09:20 PM

My Guide Gun seems to like 39.0 grains of IMR4198 under the RP 405. OAL is a bit tricky, I wound up w/ 2.565", Lee & Lyman like 2.550".

300magman · September 15, 2011, 09:38 AM

I see in most manuals that the IMRs slightly out perform the Hodgdons of the same #, but my shelf is stocked with the latter, simply because of the supposed temperature insensitivity of the "extreme" line. That said, I did get nice results with 4198, but now I am experimenting with more powders, simply because the 45-70 is my "fun gun" and I have 1000's of bulk box 405gr bullets to play with.

For the moment Benchmark is my latest powder in line for experimentation, and that is the one I need advice with today.

PawPaw · September 15, 2011, 10:02 AM

Have you tried the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center? They show data for a 400 grain bullet and with that close a weight to your preferred bullet, it should be fairly easy to extrapolate safely.

Jim Watson · September 15, 2011, 10:06 AM

Benchmark is fairly new as such things go in the slow moving powder business, at least in the USA. Of course Hodgdon lists it but even Lyman 49 only shows one combination with it, and that not with a 400 or 405. They use it with a 350 grain bullet in a Ruger, which is a horse of a different color. I note that they load it grain for grain with H322, although Hodgdon loads for Benchmark are heavier than for H322.

It looks like a subject for, well, experimentation.

totaldla · September 15, 2011, 10:36 AM

I worked up loads with BM and the 405gr Rem, WLR primers for my Guide Gun. The fastest I went was 51gr, which yielded 1780fps. 1 grain was good for 40fps. With my rifle, I had "sweet spots" at 49.5gr and 51 grains. I didn't spend any more time with it, but I'm sure there was a super sweet spot in there somewhere.

I used Remington Nickel-plate brass, 2.55" COL and the Lee FCD for crimping.

Hope this helps.

Although I ultimately settled on H4198, I believe H322, BM and even Varget showed great promise.

300magman · September 15, 2011, 02:04 PM

Ok, guys, thanks for the input. When I get back to my bench I will have to compare notes on the 322 vs Benchmark, as I know I had a moderate load of H322 that was easily toping 1800fps with great shot to shot consistency.

I may also throw in a little IMR8208XBR in the future. I had started to experiment with it using 300gr bullets. I actually started loading with 1 gr less than the "book" start loads (because I was using a slightly shorter OAL, 2.510) and much to my surprise the first load was yeilding over 2120fps. . . . It scared me a little when I saw that # on the chronograph, but examining the case showed no pressure signs, so I am cautiously going to start working toward middle loads and see where the velocity goes.
(The referece book specifically stated "Marlin Lever Action" btw, just in case anyone was wondering if I was using a Rugar #1 load by accident . . . I double checked)

September 14, 2011, 09:20 PM	#2
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	My Guide Gun seems to like 39.0 grains of IMR4198 under the RP 405. OAL is a bit tricky, I wound up w/ 2.565", Lee & Lyman like 2.550". __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

September 15, 2011, 10:02 AM	#4
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	Have you tried the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center? They show data for a 400 grain bullet and with that close a weight to your preferred bullet, it should be fairly easy to extrapolate safely. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

September 15, 2011, 10:36 AM	#6
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,289	I worked up loads with BM and the 405gr Rem, WLR primers for my Guide Gun. The fastest I went was 51gr, which yielded 1780fps. 1 grain was good for 40fps. With my rifle, I had "sweet spots" at 49.5gr and 51 grains. I didn't spend any more time with it, but I'm sure there was a super sweet spot in there somewhere. I used Remington Nickel-plate brass, 2.55" COL and the Lee FCD for crimping. Hope this helps. Although I ultimately settled on H4198, I believe H322, BM and even Varget showed great promise. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube Last edited by totaldla; September 15, 2011 at 11:47 AM.

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September 14, 2011, 09:06 PM	#1
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	Load Advice Please 45-70 with Benchmark I'm experimenting with a few different powders and shooting the 405gr Remington Jacketed Bulk Bullets, with CCI Primers. Does anyone have a starting load/max load for this bullet and powder in 45-70 with a Marlin Lever action. Even a guess-timate would be welcome as I only have one source and I always like to verify with at least 2. (BTW, my Quickload predictions are so far off with every load/powder combination that I have tried so far, with this cartridge, that I can not even use it to make an estimate)

September 15, 2011, 09:38 AM	#3
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	I see in most manuals that the IMRs slightly out perform the Hodgdons of the same #, but my shelf is stocked with the latter, simply because of the supposed temperature insensitivity of the "extreme" line. That said, I did get nice results with 4198, but now I am experimenting with more powders, simply because the 45-70 is my "fun gun" and I have 1000's of bulk box 405gr bullets to play with. For the moment Benchmark is my latest powder in line for experimentation, and that is the one I need advice with today.

September 15, 2011, 10:06 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	Benchmark is fairly new as such things go in the slow moving powder business, at least in the USA. Of course Hodgdon lists it but even Lyman 49 only shows one combination with it, and that not with a 400 or 405. They use it with a 350 grain bullet in a Ruger, which is a horse of a different color. I note that they load it grain for grain with H322, although Hodgdon loads for Benchmark are heavier than for H322. It looks like a subject for, well, *experimentation*.

September 15, 2011, 02:04 PM	#7
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	Ok, guys, thanks for the input. When I get back to my bench I will have to compare notes on the 322 vs Benchmark, as I know I had a moderate load of H322 that was easily toping 1800fps with great shot to shot consistency. I may also throw in a little IMR8208XBR in the future. I had started to experiment with it using 300gr bullets. I actually started loading with 1 gr less than the "book" start loads (because I was using a slightly shorter OAL, 2.510) and much to my surprise the first load was yeilding over 2120fps. . . . It scared me a little when I saw that # on the chronograph, but examining the case showed no pressure signs, so I am cautiously going to start working toward middle loads and see where the velocity goes. (The referece book specifically stated "Marlin Lever Action" btw, just in case anyone was wondering if I was using a Rugar #1 load by accident . . . I double checked)