I want to reload some 45-70 450gr bullets

THERAVEN · June 12, 2023, 08:53 PM

I want to reload some 45-70 450gr bullets. I can't find what powders are good with the 450gr bullet. If you know or have a site with info, it would be a big help.

P Flados · June 12, 2023, 09:23 PM

Hodgdon has data for a 440 and a 460. Look those two over and you should be able to figure out what you need.

**44 AMP** · June 13, 2023, 03:29 AM

If you're buying them (not casting them yourself) ask the people who make them what data they use or recommend. I've never used that weight, so I have no idea what a good load would be.

I would assume the powders normally used for 405gr and 500gr would be suitable, which one is "best" is always determined by the rifle being used, if it shows any preference in accuracy for a particular powder over others. Some do, some, not so much.

totaldla · June 14, 2023, 01:16 PM

The best from Hodgdon is H4198. Unfortunately, I've not seen any for a couple years. I load jacketed and cast for my Guide Gun, and I've tried just about every suitable powder but H4198 shines.

gwpercle · June 15, 2023, 04:52 PM

Looked through a few of my reloading manuals for data .
450 gr. bullet / 45-70 loads are not that common ...
I have found data for one 450 gr. bullet ... the Lee 457-450-F ... a cast lead bullet .
The data is in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition .
Is this the bullet you will be using ... ?
If this is the correct bullet I will list the powders Lyman has listed for standard pressure (1873 Springfield - trapdoor) loads .
Gary

pricedo · January 12, 2024, 05:48 PM

... lots of 405 grain bullets for the 45-70 both jacketed and hard cast but not many 450 grainers ... must mean 405 grains

totaldla · January 12, 2024, 06:05 PM

Another powder I would recommend is Accurate LT-30 - very xlose to H4198.

gwpercle · January 12, 2024, 06:27 PM

I would grab a copy of The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook , 4th Edition .
Under 45-70 there is loading data for ten (10) different boolits from 292 grains to 540 grains .
There is no data for a 450 gr. boolit but the data for the 480 gr. bullet can be safely used.
You can also average the data for the 480 gr boolit & 405 gr boolit ( 480 + 405 = 885 divided by 2 = 443 grs. ... 443 is realy close to 450 grs. and averaging out the loads will give you a good idea of where you are with the 450 gr. boolits .

With reloading cast boolits , sometimes you cant find exact data for a specific boolit ...
Using data for a slightly heavier bullet and averaging two boolit weights - powder charges is a safe way to get you some data and loads ...
The Lyman Manual has loads with seven (7) different powders in each boolit weight.
Gary

ballardw · January 12, 2024, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pricedo

... lots of 405 grain bullets for the 45-70 both jacketed and hard cast but not many 450 grainers ... must mean 405 grains

Likely cast. I have a .458 mould that is nominally 450 grn bullets.

June 12, 2023, 08:53 PM	#1
THERAVEN Member Join Date: February 24, 2009 Posts: 31	I want to reload some 45-70 450gr bullets I want to reload some 45-70 450gr bullets. I can't find what powders are good with the 450gr bullet. If you know or have a site with info, it would be a big help.

June 13, 2023, 03:29 AM	#3
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,482	If you're buying them (not casting them yourself) ask the people who make them what data they use or recommend. I've never used that weight, so I have no idea what a good load would be. I would assume the powders normally used for 405gr and 500gr would be suitable, which one is "best" is always determined by the rifle being used, if it shows any preference in accuracy for a particular powder over others. Some do, some, not so much. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 14, 2023, 01:16 PM	#4
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,499	The best from Hodgdon is H4198. Unfortunately, I've not seen any for a couple years. I load jacketed and cast for my Guide Gun, and I've tried just about every suitable powder but H4198 shines. __________________ Keltec P15 at 1200 rounds

January 12, 2024, 06:05 PM	#7
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,499	Another powder I would recommend is Accurate LT-30 - very xlose to H4198. __________________ Keltec P15 at 1200 rounds

June 12, 2023, 09:23 PM	#2
P Flados Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2017 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 265	Hodgdon has data for a 440 and a 460. Look those two over and you should be able to figure out what you need.

June 15, 2023, 04:52 PM	#5
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,915	Looked through a few of my reloading manuals for data . 450 gr. bullet / 45-70 loads are not that common ... I have found data for one 450 gr. bullet ... the Lee 457-450-F ... a cast lead bullet . The data is in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition . Is this the bullet you will be using ... ? If this is the correct bullet I will list the powders Lyman has listed for standard pressure (1873 Springfield - trapdoor) loads . Gary

January 12, 2024, 05:48 PM	#6
pricedo Member Join Date: September 3, 2008 Location: NRA LIFE MEMBER Posts: 55	... lots of 405 grain bullets for the 45-70 both jacketed and hard cast but not many 450 grainers ... must mean 405 grains

January 12, 2024, 06:27 PM	#8
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,915	I would grab a copy of The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook , 4th Edition . Under 45-70 there is loading data for ten (10) different boolits from 292 grains to 540 grains . There is no data for a 450 gr. boolit but the data for the 480 gr. bullet can be safely used. You can also average the data for the 480 gr boolit & 405 gr boolit ( 480 + 405 = 885 divided by 2 = 443 grs. ... 443 is realy close to 450 grs. and averaging out the loads will give you a good idea of where you are with the 450 gr. boolits . With reloading cast boolits , sometimes you cant find exact data for a specific boolit ... Using data for a slightly heavier bullet and averaging two boolit weights - powder charges is a safe way to get you some data and loads ... The Lyman Manual has loads with seven (7) different powders in each boolit weight. Gary