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Old April 1, 2008, 07:24 PM   #1
zebulonsmith
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.45-70 "Plinking" loads?

I accidentally bought a Marlin 1895G this weekend when I stopped in a local shop to pick up a box of .22lr. The previous owner bought it new, put a few rounds through it and decided that the recoil was too much for him.

I had no issues putting a box of 20 rounds through it at the range (probably would have shot more if I had it), but that beast does have a bit of punch to it. Can anybody recommend a good target load for this big boy? I'm thinking that I'll go with a 300gr cast bullet from Midstates Cast Bullets, unless anybody knows of a better source, but I don't have much experience loading rifle cases this large, so I'm not sure about a good powder.

Also, I've got a set of dies, but am still debating on whether or not to order a Lee factory crimp or not. I can see how it might be a good idea for a cartridge that is going to go in a tube magazine to keep the bullets seated nice. Any thoughts?
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Old April 1, 2008, 07:40 PM   #2
btefft
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I, too, have the Guide gun. Haven't loaded any rounds yet, but have the dies for it. I load plan jacketed bullets and everything I've read says to crimp the rounds, especially since they're gonna be in a tubular magazine.

Have your tried the Hornady Leverevolution ammo?. I bought some (325 gr) but haven't shot any yet. Its supposed to produce a little more velocity and a little flatter trajectory.

Hack
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Old April 1, 2008, 08:33 PM   #3
saudst
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Accident?

Hey zeb, I wish those kind of accidents would happen to me more often. I love the 45/70 and load for it. The practice load I use for plinking is a 405gr. cast from Rav Mfg. but any flat point cast should due at lower velocities. I use a mild charge of H322. The cast bullets almost always have a generous crimp groove so the factory crimp is not nessisary, the seating die can give a good roll crimp.

I have a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. about 1946 vintage that I love and have wanted a guide gun when I first saw one. Nice gun.
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Old April 1, 2008, 09:15 PM   #4
SL1
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I don't shoot that cartridge, but I'll suggest using SR-4759 for light charges. It is not postion sensitive and there is a lot of good light load data for it. I love it in my 270 Winchester. My Lyman Cast Bullet handbook lists 45-70 loads for it as:

293 gr bullet: start: 26.0 gr 1311 fps 9,400 CUP; max 30.0 gr 1602 fps 14,600 CUP

322 gr bullet: start: 19.0 gr 1043 fps 8,100 CUP; max 25.0 gr 1412 fps 16,400 CUP

366 gr bullet: start: 19.0 gr 1035 fps 9,500 CUP; max 23.3 gr 1298 fps 15,400 CUP

420 gr bullet: start 18.0 gr 942 fps 9,000 CUP; max 23.0 gr 1270 fps 15,700 CUP

Again, this is for SR-4759 [NINE]. Do NOT get it confused with SR-4756 [SIX].

SL1
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Old April 1, 2008, 11:14 PM   #5
bjohnson1
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plinking with a .45-70, ouch
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Old April 2, 2008, 01:07 AM   #6
freakshow10mm
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A 45/70 ain't bad at all. Put a SVL pad on it. I shoot loads than generate 4000fpe from the Guide Gun. No problem.

A seriously nince plinker is 12.5gr Trailboss with a 405gr lead.
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Old April 2, 2008, 03:34 AM   #7
steveno
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my plinking load is 18 grains of Unique and a 300 grain hollow point (I use the Remington) for about 1,450 fps out of a Ruger #1S. It is good for 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards
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Old April 2, 2008, 07:41 AM   #8
zebulonsmith
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Thanks for all the good info guys, I'm already using HS322 and Unique, so I'll have to give those a whirl. I'm thinking about tossing on a receiver sight if I can find one I like.
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Old April 2, 2008, 07:57 AM   #9
Travis Two
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If you want lighter plinking rounds for the .45/70 that won't beat you up then go to the accurate arms web site and look at the loads for 5744 which gives you lower velocities and the powder is not position sensative. This is great big bore powder and I use it in my 45/70 contender so as not to get beaten up.
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Old April 2, 2008, 07:49 PM   #10
HOGGHEAD
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45-70

I prefer RL-7 for the 45-70. Some of the faster powders listed above are OK. But I do not like them. The 45-70 is a large case, and IMO powder position is important. I realize a faster powder with less powder is less expensive, but I avoid worrying about that.

I like a 405 grain cast bullet(that I cast), with 40.0 grains of RL-7. This yields about 1600 fps in my Sharp's. And slightly less in my 1886 Winchester. The load is a great load for target practice and plenty powerful enough for hunting. This is not a light load, but it is no THUMPER. Tom.
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Old April 2, 2008, 10:18 PM   #11
freakshow10mm
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R7 is a similar burn rate to IMR4198 and meters much better, but has higher charge weights. I'm going to burn the rest of my IMR4198 and then try a pound of R7. I keep Varget for the heavy work.
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