.45-70 Govt. loads

Grayfox · December 2, 2000, 01:35 PM

I'm about to start reloading for the .45-70 Govt cartridge to be used in a modern lever action rifle. I've searched the web, but data seems a bit slim for this round and alot that I have found are mild loads for the Trapdoor Springfield. BTW: I already got the stuff from M.D. Smith's reloading pages. I've got a local bullet caster who makes a 350gr LFP bullet and this would be my primary choice. But, I'm also interested in other weights and jacketed bullets. I'd like to find a number of good loads ranging from mild plinkers to heavy weight hunting rounds.
So share your favorites. I'd like to do this with as little experimentation as possable because I'm not sure if my pocketbook or my shoulder could stand a lot of work on this.

Kenneth L. Walters · December 2, 2000, 01:57 PM

In each line I've shown the bullet mould followed by the bullet weight, diameter and length. Then comes the sizing die size, powder, powder charge, case length and overall cartridge length. Unless otherwise marked the bullets were cast with linotype. The other two alloys were wheelweights (ww), 30 to 1 lead to tin (31/1) or straight lead (Pb). All of these loads I've used in my Riflesmith single shot which is the only 45-70 I have. Hope this helps.

45-70 H&G 347-4 317 .458 .870 .457 IMR-3031 35.0 2.101 2.501
45-70 H&G 390-5 389 .461 1.020 .457 Accurate 8700 49.9 2.085 2.602
45-70 H&G 390-5 389 .461 1.020 .457 Unique 11.9 2.085 2.599
45-70 H&G 390-5 389 .461 1.020 .457 GOEX cart. 64.8 2.089 2.628
45-70 SAECO 021 403 .460 1.152 .457 GOEX cart. 48.4 2.091 2.600
45-70 RCBS 45-500-BPS 476 .459 1.349 .457 Unique 14.0 2.085 2.649
45-70 Hoch 515.458 481 .458 1.351 .457 GOEX cart. 50.0 2.085 2.704
45-70 duplex load 4759 5.0
45-70 RCBS 45-500-FN 492 .460 1.316 .457 Accurate 8700 50.0 2.086 2.534
45-70 NEI 530.458 ww 504 0.458 1.354 .457 Unique 11.9 2.097 2.824
45-70 NEI 560.458 508 .458 1.393 .457 Accurate 3100 45.0 2.085 2.830
45-70 Hoch 515.458 30/1 517 .458 1.346 GOEX cart. 55.5 2.097 2.696
45-70 NEI 525.458 GC 522 .459 1.424 .457 GOEX cart. 35.8 2.085 2.453
45-70 NEI 475.454 30/1 528 .456 1.332 Accurate 3100 32.0 2.085 2.720
45-70 NEI 535.458 30/1 545 .447 1.433 .457 GOEX cart. 58.7 2.085 2.914
45-70 SAECO 020 Pb 561 .458 1.319 .457 GOEX cart. 42.5 2.092 2.603
45-70 NEI 575.458 30/1 588 .459 1.361 .457 GOEX cart. 53.3 2.097 2.826

Paul B. · December 3, 2000, 05:17 PM

Grayfox. I have one load that uses a 330 gr. hollow point bullet. (Lyman #457122) It casts out at .460 in diameter, and I size it to .459 in. Powder is IMR-4759. Velocity is in the 1650 FPS range from a Marlin 1895 and a Ruger #1 single shot. Accuracy runs from about 1.5 inch in the #1 to 1.75 to 2 inches in the Marlin. Probably would do a touch better if I was a better shot but good enough, considering the range limitations when hunting with a 45-70. I don't post loads on the forums, but will pass on via E-mail if you are interested.
A good book on loading and working with the 45-70 is FORTY YEARS WITH THE 45-70 by Paul Matthews. It has been revised and updated to cover the Marlin 1895 in greater detail than the first edition. I'm lucky to have both. I think you can chase it down at (www.riflemagazine.com) or Wolfe Publishing at Ph: 1-800-889-7810.
Fact is, I got that load from the book I just mentioned. I really feel that anybody who shoots a 45-70 should have a copy. it's great reading.
Paul B.

December 2, 2000, 01:35 PM	#1
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	I'm about to start reloading for the .45-70 Govt cartridge to be used in a modern lever action rifle. I've searched the web, but data seems a bit slim for this round and alot that I have found are mild loads for the Trapdoor Springfield. BTW: I already got the stuff from M.D. Smith's reloading pages. I've got a local bullet caster who makes a 350gr LFP bullet and this would be my primary choice. But, I'm also interested in other weights and jacketed bullets. I'd like to find a number of good loads ranging from mild plinkers to heavy weight hunting rounds. So share your favorites. I'd like to do this with as little experimentation as possable because I'm not sure if my pocketbook or my shoulder could stand a lot of work on this.

December 2, 2000, 01:57 PM	#2
Kenneth L. Walters Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 1999 Location: flagstaff, arizona Posts: 477	In each line I've shown the bullet mould followed by the bullet weight, diameter and length. Then comes the sizing die size, powder, powder charge, case length and overall cartridge length. Unless otherwise marked the bullets were cast with linotype. The other two alloys were wheelweights (ww), 30 to 1 lead to tin (31/1) or straight lead (Pb). All of these loads I've used in my Riflesmith single shot which is the only 45-70 I have. Hope this helps. 45-70 H&G 347-4 317 .458 .870 .457 IMR-3031 35.0 2.101 2.501 45-70 H&G 390-5 389 .461 1.020 .457 Accurate 8700 49.9 2.085 2.602 45-70 H&G 390-5 389 .461 1.020 .457 Unique 11.9 2.085 2.599 45-70 H&G 390-5 389 .461 1.020 .457 GOEX cart. 64.8 2.089 2.628 45-70 SAECO 021 403 .460 1.152 .457 GOEX cart. 48.4 2.091 2.600 45-70 RCBS 45-500-BPS 476 .459 1.349 .457 Unique 14.0 2.085 2.649 45-70 Hoch 515.458 481 .458 1.351 .457 GOEX cart. 50.0 2.085 2.704 45-70 duplex load 4759 5.0 45-70 RCBS 45-500-FN 492 .460 1.316 .457 Accurate 8700 50.0 2.086 2.534 45-70 NEI 530.458 ww 504 0.458 1.354 .457 Unique 11.9 2.097 2.824 45-70 NEI 560.458 508 .458 1.393 .457 Accurate 3100 45.0 2.085 2.830 45-70 Hoch 515.458 30/1 517 .458 1.346 GOEX cart. 55.5 2.097 2.696 45-70 NEI 525.458 GC 522 .459 1.424 .457 GOEX cart. 35.8 2.085 2.453 45-70 NEI 475.454 30/1 528 .456 1.332 Accurate 3100 32.0 2.085 2.720 45-70 NEI 535.458 30/1 545 .447 1.433 .457 GOEX cart. 58.7 2.085 2.914 45-70 SAECO 020 Pb 561 .458 1.319 .457 GOEX cart. 42.5 2.092 2.603 45-70 NEI 575.458 30/1 588 .459 1.361 .457 GOEX cart. 53.3 2.097 2.826

December 3, 2000, 05:17 PM	#3
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Grayfox. I have one load that uses a 330 gr. hollow point bullet. (Lyman #457122) It casts out at .460 in diameter, and I size it to .459 in. Powder is IMR-4759. Velocity is in the 1650 FPS range from a Marlin 1895 and a Ruger #1 single shot. Accuracy runs from about 1.5 inch in the #1 to 1.75 to 2 inches in the Marlin. Probably would do a touch better if I was a better shot but good enough, considering the range limitations when hunting with a 45-70. I don't post loads on the forums, but will pass on via E-mail if you are interested. A good book on loading and working with the 45-70 is FORTY YEARS WITH THE 45-70 by Paul Matthews. It has been revised and updated to cover the Marlin 1895 in greater detail than the first edition. I'm lucky to have both. I think you can chase it down at (www.riflemagazine.com) or Wolfe Publishing at Ph: 1-800-889-7810. Fact is, I got that load from the book I just mentioned. I really feel that anybody who shoots a 45-70 should have a copy. it's great reading. Paul B.