.303 Brit and .45-70 Govt

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skokie

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Hey, i'm getting into reloading and i'm looking for a powder that will work for both .303 and .45-70. I'm not looking to set any records for energy or speed , i just want a fairly cheap powder for target shooting and practice. I was thinking about H4198, imr4227, perhaps RL-15 or Imr 3031. Using bullet weights of 180gr to 220gr in the .303 and 300gr to 500gr in the .45-70. Thanks all. skokie.
 
45/70 is a straight walled case so you want fast powders, whereas .303 Br is a bottleneck case, so you want somewhat slower powders.
Probably would end up with a compromise for one or both cartridges...........
 
The IMR4350 is one of the most widely used allthough the 303 is a little faster with H414 i switched from IMR4350 to H380 in my 7.62 it woke it up with 168 match but made the 303 slower couldn't tell ya what to use with the 45-70.
 
What is the projectile OD? If it is .311 start with 35gr if it is .312 start with 28gr your max with both will be 38gr use with caution you should know you bore ID also. Remember with hot and cold temp.your pressure increases if it is cold out put them in your pocket for a bit to bring them up to body temp.You will know when your pressures are going up because she will start giving you a good punch.


skokie said:
I purchased some IMR 3031 today, I have some 180gr softpoints, any ideas for a first load in the .303 brit? Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
maxinumarmor:


Is that a typo?

"When it gets cold, the pressures go up?"

If you think that, what experiences led you to that conclusion? (I'm not trying to be smart).
I wonder if it may be something else that happened.

Its just that I have never ever seen pressures or velocity increase as the temp drops.

have fun gunnutz!
 
as for the 45-70,(Marlin 1885's in particular) I have loaded for about 7-8 different 45-70rifles.
H4198 gives me the best performance for velocity-accuracy at a max charge.(with 300 &350 Grain Hornady Interlocks)
This has been very noticable in "ALL" the rifles I Loaded for.
I have tried just about every powder out there, and this is my favorite. It seems to fill the case for the best load density with these bullets (with a max charge). And not over pressure like IMR4198. Give it a try if you like.

I used the Hodgdon manual for the powder charges. Just work up to find "your" rifles sweet spot.

I have since sold all but two of these rifles over the years. The new owners that I still have contact with from time to time, still use the H4198 load.
It certainly is a performance load.
I havent tried it with a 400 grain bullet yet.

My .303 likes H414 or W760, And a 174Grain Hornady interlock.

Have fun Skokie !
 
I'm using IMR 4985 in both my .45-70 Shilo Sharps #3 Sporting Rifle and my .303 Lee Enfield #4 Mk 1(Faz). Great all around powder and with the .45-70 accurate enough to take down a steel ram at 500 meters.
 
dthunter said:
maxinumarmor:


Is that a typo?

"When it gets cold, the pressures go up?"

If you think that, what experiences led you to that conclusion? (I'm not trying to be smart).
I wonder if it may be something else that happened.

Its just that I have never ever seen pressures or velocity increase as the temp drops.

have fun gunnutz!
Click to expand...

You are correct. Also, the difference in powder charges between bullets measuring .311 and .312 is virtualy zero, not seven grains.

maxinumarmor said:
What is the projectile OD? If it is .311 start with 35gr if it is .312 start with 28gr your max with both will be 38gr use with caution you should know you bore ID also. Remember with hot and cold temp.your pressure increases if it is cold out put them in your pocket for a bit to bring them up to body temp.You will know when your pressures are going up because she will start giving you a good punch.
Click to expand...



Ted
 
skokie said:
This may be a stupid question, but what about the leverevolution powder for both? I wonder how it would do in the .303? anyone know? thanks, skokie.
Click to expand...

I don't think they do a Leverevolution for .303 Brit. :stirthepot2:

Having said that, Hornady has powder custom blended for the L'evolution rounds, and it is not available to the public.
 
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