45/70 350gr or 425gr cast bullet with Unique Powder

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tbrwlf

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Does anyone have any experiences they can share regarding this load combination?
I just started casting and am using the Ranch Dog 350 and 425 gr flat nose molds.

I want to load UNIQUE because I hear I can slow the round to about 1200 to 1400 fps and reduce the recoil, while still generating a good deer round.

Any starting load suggestions for either weight would be appreciated.

Sorry if this is a new thread about an older subject but the search engine is returning too many none related threads.
 
Nope, but I did up some with 13gr of Trail Boss under a 405 grain cast boolit, which is probably close to what you're trying to achieve.

You might want to ask your question on the Marlin owners forum.
 
There are several powders that will give accurate loads in the 45-70, in the 1200 fps range. Uniquie is one.
The "Bible" on such things is the old (I have the first edition) Lyman Handbook of Cast Bullets.
For a 4oo grain cast bullet in the 45-70, they list 11 grains of Unique, for a velocity of 1050 fps.
They show a maximum load of Unique, meaning this load raises the pressure to maximum, of 16 grains of Uniqe, for 1350 fps.
For a 325 grain bullet, Unique is shown as 10 grains for 1235 and a maximum load of 17 grains for 1600 fps.
I have found light loads of Unique to be very accurate in my Marlin 45-70. Also, 4227 is just a bit slower than Unique, and I have found it to be exceptionally accurate.
400 grain bullet, max of 27 grains of 4227, vel 1470 fps.
In using any of these fast powders, EXTREMELY GREAT CARE must be taken, to see that a double charge is not loaded. A double charge of any of these fast powders would turn your rifle into a hand grenade.
These loads shown above, occupy only a small portion of the 45-70 case, so look, then look again, before you seat the bullet. Get to know exactly what a proper charge looks like in the case.
As a safety precaution, most of us use a shell holder block that the cases can be sat in. If you have a drill press in your shop, or even a power hand drill, you can make a block out of something like a piece of 2x8 ten inches, or so, long.
Put the powder in the cases, then set the cases in the block. Before you seat the bullets, look in the cases, carefully, to see that the powder in each case looks the same, a proper charge.
 
Edward Teach said:
That's one of the things that appeal to me so much about Trail Boss...it's bulky so 13 grains pretty much fills a 45/70 case.
Click to expand...

Unique is position sensitive within the cartridge case and can lead to large variations in velocity. Say if the powder is all at one end of the case or the other when fired.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290656&highlight=unique

Trail Boss is both bulky and specifically designed to not be position sensitive.
 
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I used some stuffing to keep the powder at the base of the case. I have some Trailboss but could not find any load data. I will try the 13 gr load Edward suggests.

As to overcharging, I get around that by putting the boolit in the case immediately after pouring in the powder. I have yet to make the double load mistake. Yes I just knocked on wood.

Thanks for the input. I look forward to reading what others have to suggest too.
 
I load 340gr 30-1 soft cast hp's with 10.5gr of unique. They are like a rainbow at ~1100 fps but I am comfortable at 0-75 yards as a whitetail round. I have collected a few of the bullets from things and some of them are 3/4" around expanded.

With the same bullet cast a little harder I have tried between 8 and 16gr. 14, 15 and 16gr of unique are starting to feel like normal shells. They probably are as powerful or more powerful than factory loads. They would probably be still very capable on most everything the 45-70 has taken.

I use them a lot for plinking rounds as they seem to have no cumulative affect towards flinching like my 420's at 1700. Those eventually get to you. I really like the load though. Things with claws and teeth also live here.

Accuracy with the 10.5 loads isn't perfect but it's been fairly consistent. Since I took the scope off the rifle, I have found it harder to develop loads. I get 3-4 inches at 50 yards with 5 shots. The factory sites randomize things a bit with me behind them.

I'm looking for a Leopold 2-7x33 or something similar to help me with that problem.

Ryan
 
I use 13.0 grains of Unique with a Bullet Barn 405 grain gas checked bullet. This gives me 1,350 fps out of my Shilo Sharps #3 Sporting Rifle. It duplicates the MV of the 1880 issued cartridge. Gas checks are a must when using unique in my experience.
 
Another vote for Trail BOss, have played with a few others such as Blue Dot, AC5744 and others. Trail Boss is bulky and can't be double charged and does seem to burn clean. Basically, load TB up to where base of bullet sits, no compression, that is max load. You can reduce this max amount by 30% for a lighter load yet. This info is from reloading tech at Hodgdon powders, 913-362-9455. I am very happy with this stuff as my days of using fillers and "postion sensitive loads" are over!:D Have been using this for a while in 416 Rigby with cast and jacketed loads and works well. Will be using it soon in 375H&H and 450/400 soon.
 
My vote goes to Trail Boss as well...for that application, 1200fps is less then i like and you can not use more Trail Boss or pressure spikes quickly, so my" go to" powders for the 45/70 remain AA2015, H-335, H-322, and RL-7, and today i'm trying some of that Finnish Velveeta #130 with a new 300gr. flat pt. Gas check.
 
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