45-70 Suggestions
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,329
45-70 Suggestions
Hey guys,
I've been remodeling my house so I haven't had time to really shoot much. I just picked up a 45-70 Marlin Guide gun in stainless.
Any suggestions on starting powder, bullets and primers?
Thanks
Tom
I've been remodeling my house so I haven't had time to really shoot much. I just picked up a 45-70 Marlin Guide gun in stainless.
Any suggestions on starting powder, bullets and primers?
Thanks
Tom
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: 45-70 Suggestions
If I had that gun, I would make two loads. One for deer hunting and the other something bigger. I have been using 300gr Partitions and IMR4198for a while now, and not getting the best accuracy. So I will try out 300gr sierra HP, and IMR3031. I have a microgroove, and wish I had ballard rifling. If I was you, I would try some TruShot 405gr laods gas checked with IMR3031.
#4
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,329
RE: 45-70 Suggestions
I just did a search and it appears that they are not selling the leverlution bullets yet. Is this everyone's understanding?
BC,
Not sure if you remember but I haven't been reloading for very long. Could you please explain what a gas checked bullet is?
Also I know what micro grooves are but what is the ballard groove? Is that just the standard rifling groove?
What kind of accuracy were you getting with the partitions?
The Trushot 405gr, who manufactures that one?
Obviously recoil is subjective but what are your thoughts on the difference in recoil between a 300gr and 400gr bullet? Is it dramatic?
Thanks
Tom
BC,
Not sure if you remember but I haven't been reloading for very long. Could you please explain what a gas checked bullet is?
Also I know what micro grooves are but what is the ballard groove? Is that just the standard rifling groove?
What kind of accuracy were you getting with the partitions?
The Trushot 405gr, who manufactures that one?
Obviously recoil is subjective but what are your thoughts on the difference in recoil between a 300gr and 400gr bullet? Is it dramatic?
Thanks
Tom
#5
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,329
RE: 45-70 Suggestions
Also I'd like to set the rifle up for some universal loading that will allow me to take anything up to black bears. I'm going on a black bear hunt this year and I'd like this to back up the 300 wm.
Tom
Tom
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: 45-70 Suggestions
ORIGINAL: statjunk
I just did a search and it appears that they are not selling the leverlution bullets yet. Is this everyone's understanding?
I just did a search and it appears that they are not selling the leverlution bullets yet. Is this everyone's understanding?
ORIGINAL: statjunk
Not sure if you remember but I haven't been reloading for very long. Could you please explain what a gas checked bullet is?
Not sure if you remember but I haven't been reloading for very long. Could you please explain what a gas checked bullet is?
ORIGINAL: statjunk
Also I know what micro grooves are but what is the ballard groove? Is that just the standard rifling groove?
Also I know what micro grooves are but what is the ballard groove? Is that just the standard rifling groove?
ORIGINAL: statjunk
What kind of accuracy were you getting with the partitions?
What kind of accuracy were you getting with the partitions?
ORIGINAL: statjunk
The Trushot 405gr, who manufactures that one?
The Trushot 405gr, who manufactures that one?
http://www.laser-cast.com/trueshot.html
ORIGINAL: statjunk
Obviously recoil is subjective but what are your thoughts on the difference in recoil between a 300gr and 400gr bullet? Is it dramatic?
Obviously recoil is subjective but what are your thoughts on the difference in recoil between a 300gr and 400gr bullet? Is it dramatic?
#7
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,329
RE: 45-70 Suggestions
BC,
What are the advantages of shooting Cast bullets? I'd like to keep this rather simple and if all else being equal or approximately equal I'd like to shoot a copper coated bullet like I shoot in my 300WM and .308.
Is there a real advantage of the 400gr bullets over the 300gr bullets for black bear at short yardage? I don't want to subject myself to excessive recoil if I don't need to.
Any body out there have some loads that work consistenly for you in a Marlin Guid gun in .45-70?
Thanks
Tom
What are the advantages of shooting Cast bullets? I'd like to keep this rather simple and if all else being equal or approximately equal I'd like to shoot a copper coated bullet like I shoot in my 300WM and .308.
Is there a real advantage of the 400gr bullets over the 300gr bullets for black bear at short yardage? I don't want to subject myself to excessive recoil if I don't need to.
Any body out there have some loads that work consistenly for you in a Marlin Guid gun in .45-70?
Thanks
Tom
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
RE: 45-70 Suggestions
If this is your first 45-70 then welcome to a whole new world. IMO you have purchased the most fun cartridge, and rifle that you can have. Here is how I would start.
You really do not want to mix cast bullet's and jacketed bullets in your rifle. It is best to stay with one or the other. I prefer the cast bullet's. But then I cast my own. The problem with jacketed bullet's is simple. The 45-70 is so addictive that you can not put it down, and jacketed bullet's are very expensive.
I think the 405 grain cast bullet is perfect for the 45-70. I do not use a gas check with mine. I can run the bullet up to 1600fps without any leading problems, and I cast with straight Wheel Weight, and I do not water quench.
As far as load's are concerned, I prefer RL7. I like RL7 because it gives good case fill. A lot of shooter's use faster powder's, but I do not. IMO they use faster powder's to give more loads per pound. And they are correct they will get more loads per pound, but I prefer case fill over saving a nickel.
My favorite load is 40.0 grains of RL7 under a 405 grain cast bullet. In your Marlin this load should give you around 1600 fps. This load is stout, but not punishing. I shoot this load in four of my five 45-70's, and I get great results. The load is devastating on game. This load is too heavy for my Trapdoor.
You will need to crimp your bullet for the Marlin. I prefer the taper crimp(Redding) over the roll crimp. IMO the taper crimp is less critical with pressure, and soft lead can be affected by crimp's. As I am sure you know casings must be trimmed for a crimp to be used, and trim length is not as critical with a taper crimp.
I also suggest you buy the Lyman M-Die for your belling. This is a great die that will allow you to adjust your belling very closely, thus this die yields less retention problem's. You also want to FL resize your brass.
Who knows, you may even want to try Black Powder. I load and shoot alot of 45-70, PM me if you have any questions. Tom.
You really do not want to mix cast bullet's and jacketed bullets in your rifle. It is best to stay with one or the other. I prefer the cast bullet's. But then I cast my own. The problem with jacketed bullet's is simple. The 45-70 is so addictive that you can not put it down, and jacketed bullet's are very expensive.
I think the 405 grain cast bullet is perfect for the 45-70. I do not use a gas check with mine. I can run the bullet up to 1600fps without any leading problems, and I cast with straight Wheel Weight, and I do not water quench.
As far as load's are concerned, I prefer RL7. I like RL7 because it gives good case fill. A lot of shooter's use faster powder's, but I do not. IMO they use faster powder's to give more loads per pound. And they are correct they will get more loads per pound, but I prefer case fill over saving a nickel.
My favorite load is 40.0 grains of RL7 under a 405 grain cast bullet. In your Marlin this load should give you around 1600 fps. This load is stout, but not punishing. I shoot this load in four of my five 45-70's, and I get great results. The load is devastating on game. This load is too heavy for my Trapdoor.
You will need to crimp your bullet for the Marlin. I prefer the taper crimp(Redding) over the roll crimp. IMO the taper crimp is less critical with pressure, and soft lead can be affected by crimp's. As I am sure you know casings must be trimmed for a crimp to be used, and trim length is not as critical with a taper crimp.
I also suggest you buy the Lyman M-Die for your belling. This is a great die that will allow you to adjust your belling very closely, thus this die yields less retention problem's. You also want to FL resize your brass.
Who knows, you may even want to try Black Powder. I load and shoot alot of 45-70, PM me if you have any questions. Tom.
#10
RE: 45-70 Suggestions
With the Micro groove barrel,cast bullets are not to good if you want higher velocity....The micro is made for jacketed bullets...I have used the 300 grain cast in my Marlin Ballard barrel..All this is is a different type of rifleing..The ballard is a deep cut button rifeling....
RL-7 isa good choice and so is 3031
If you are going to shoot cast bullets then xmp-5744 is a good choice..It is made more to duplicate the black powder..
Cast bullets made from wheel weights usually work pretty good..The only thing is,some weights have nichol or babbet in them..This makes them harder,with a BRN of 10 to 15....I use a softer bullet for bear hunting as it will muchroom better than the harder cast bullets will...One thing you may have to be careful with is some bullets will make the O.A.L too long and they will not cycle through the action..
That is a nice looking Sharps rifle you have there-what make and model is that....Mine is a 1884 Sharps made by Pedersoli..I also have a 1884 50-70.I haven't done much with that one..Maybe this summer..Good luck with your 45-70....
RL-7 isa good choice and so is 3031
If you are going to shoot cast bullets then xmp-5744 is a good choice..It is made more to duplicate the black powder..
Cast bullets made from wheel weights usually work pretty good..The only thing is,some weights have nichol or babbet in them..This makes them harder,with a BRN of 10 to 15....I use a softer bullet for bear hunting as it will muchroom better than the harder cast bullets will...One thing you may have to be careful with is some bullets will make the O.A.L too long and they will not cycle through the action..
That is a nice looking Sharps rifle you have there-what make and model is that....Mine is a 1884 Sharps made by Pedersoli..I also have a 1884 50-70.I haven't done much with that one..Maybe this summer..Good luck with your 45-70....