Quick .45-70 Qs

P-990 · March 6, 2007, 03:40 PM

Okay, I'm hoping my new .45-70 Encore barrel shows up next week (ordered from Midsouth last night).

At any rate, a couple of quick questions about reloading .45-70.
1) What powder makes for a good factory-duplicate load for the 300gr bullets? I have Varget, IMR 4198, 3031 and H-4895 on hand. I think the local shop stocks RL-7, but not sure.

2) Anybody ever use benchrest primers in the .45-70? I ask because I have most a case of CCI-BR2s I bought for a .260 I no longer own. If there isn't any negative to using them, I'll probably just load 'em up.

And 3) Which brass should I get for good longevity? I'm thinking Starline, as it has a good rep for durability and consistency, and it less expensive by the 100 count than Rem or Win at Midway right now.

Thanks all.

Ruger4570 · March 6, 2007, 10:45 PM

I have had real good luck with Varget and IMR 3031 for most loadings. I am sure other powders would work as well. You should work with what you already have and see what you can do.
There is nothing wrong with the primers you have. They may in fact be more consistant for good loads than standard primers.
Starline makes good brass, I ordered about 500 a couple of years ago and I have not lost a one and no signs of them ever wearing out.

Webleymkv · March 6, 2007, 11:40 PM

Low pressure, straight-walled cartridge usually give long brass life. Accurate XMR2495 and XMP5744 are both good for cast bullets while I like Reloader 7 for jacketed bullets.

Lazy D · March 8, 2007, 08:24 PM

For a 300 gr bullet I like IMR 4895 60 gr (c) or 57 gr of H322
H4895 is almost the same as the IMR 4895 Very low pressure.

WhitSpurzon · March 10, 2007, 10:20 PM

Of the powders you have listed I've gotten the best results with the IMR4198 Varget & 3031 in that order. I've only used 4895 once and wasn't impressed, so I didn't bother with it again.

For cast bullets give SR4759 a try. It is my favorite 45-70 powder.

Primers: Never tried 'em.

Brass: I like Starline brass but I have no complaints with my Winchester or Remington so of which has more than 10 reloadings since I've had it and it was given to me by a mizer that had used them plenty before I got 'em.

pumpkinheaver · March 10, 2007, 11:02 PM

I use 3031 and 4198 for 95% of my 45-70 loads.

March 6, 2007, 03:40 PM	#1
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	Quick .45-70 Qs Okay, I'm hoping my new .45-70 Encore barrel shows up next week (ordered from Midsouth last night). At any rate, a couple of quick questions about reloading .45-70. 1) What powder makes for a good factory-duplicate load for the 300gr bullets? I have Varget, IMR 4198, 3031 and H-4895 on hand. I think the local shop stocks RL-7, but not sure. 2) Anybody ever use benchrest primers in the .45-70? I ask because I have most a case of CCI-BR2s I bought for a .260 I no longer own. If there isn't any negative to using them, I'll probably just load 'em up. And 3) Which brass should I get for good longevity? I'm thinking Starline, as it has a good rep for durability and consistency, and it less expensive by the 100 count than Rem or Win at Midway right now. Thanks all. __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

March 8, 2007, 08:24 PM	#4
Lazy D Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Indian Territory Posts: 192	For a 300 gr bullet I like IMR 4895 60 gr (c) or 57 gr of H322 H4895 is almost the same as the IMR 4895 Very low pressure. __________________ "Fast is Fine but accuracy is final.".....Wyatt Earp.

March 10, 2007, 11:02 PM	#6
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	I use 3031 and 4198 for 95% of my 45-70 loads. __________________ Just because your paranoid don't mean they aint out to get ya.

March 6, 2007, 10:45 PM	#2
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I have had real good luck with Varget and IMR 3031 for most loadings. I am sure other powders would work as well. You should work with what you already have and see what you can do. There is nothing wrong with the primers you have. They may in fact be more consistant for good loads than standard primers. Starline makes good brass, I ordered about 500 a couple of years ago and I have not lost a one and no signs of them ever wearing out.

March 6, 2007, 11:40 PM	#3
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	Low pressure, straight-walled cartridge usually give long brass life. Accurate XMR2495 and XMP5744 are both good for cast bullets while I like Reloader 7 for jacketed bullets.

March 10, 2007, 10:20 PM	#5
WhitSpurzon Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2005 Location: WETstern Washington Posts: 108	Of the powders you have listed I've gotten the best results with the IMR4198 Varget & 3031 in that order. I've only used 4895 once and wasn't impressed, so I didn't bother with it again. For cast bullets give SR4759 a try. It is my favorite 45-70 powder. Primers: Never tried 'em. Brass: I like Starline brass but I have no complaints with my Winchester or Remington so of which has more than 10 reloadings since I've had it and it was given to me by a mizer that had used them plenty before I got 'em.