45-70 390GR GC cast bullet loads

T

triple tap

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Location
langley BC
im looking on Hodgdons data center for load data on my marlin 1895 gbl and first off it gives 3 different options for 45-70 (trap door rifles, lever actions and modern rifles) should I follow loads for lever action or modern rifles? I know mine is a lever action (lol...), but mine is a brand new rifle, and I remember reading that the new 1895's have a stronger action than the older ones... would this be considered a "modern" rifle then? how much powder can I put behind a 390GR cast gas checked bullet from bullet barn? im wanting to use hodgdon 4198 and cci#200 primers (not magnum) in starline brass...
 
triple tap said:
im looking on Hodgdons data center for load data on my marlin 1895 gbl and first off it gives 3 different options for 45-70 (trap door rifles, lever actions and modern rifles) should I follow loads for lever action or modern rifles? I know mine is a lever action (lol...), but mine is a brand new rifle, and I remember reading that the new 1895's have a stronger action than the older ones... would this be considered a "modern" rifle then? how much powder can I put behind a 390GR cast gas checked bullet from bullet barn? im wanting to use hodgdon 4198 and cci#200 primers (not magnum) in starline brass...
Click to expand...

I found with mine that I needed a full case of powder to get it all burnt using a standard primer... Mag primers seemed to improve the burn some. So, I use a full case or slightly compressed case of stick powder, usually between 50 and 57 grains (but not the powder you mentioned. It's like a slow pistol powder) depending on the bullet size, and use the powder burn rate to bring the speed up or down. That being said, I"m using paper patched bullets... I can run soft lead at 2000+ fps without any leading at all... You can use Varget or 7828, or 4831 or 4350 among others... Varget is the fastest in that list. The lee book has data on volumetric powder weights. So, find powder of similar weight volume, and use a burn speed chart to adjust the speed of the load by switching powder.

Use lever action data if using a lee book. If using the lyman book, you can't really get more powder in the case then the max level loads of varget... That was cracking the lever on the action of my newer jm production 1895 with a 405 gr bullet. (ouch on the hand) the seating length wouldn't cycle in the action without shaving the nose of the bullet with a higher load. However, a slightly compressed load of IMR 4064 and a 330 gr hp make a beautiful round in both of my guns as well as a friend's gun...

The reason I used a 100% load is that with lead bullets in a tube mag, the bullets can slip into the cases from the recoil of the gun if the load is less than 100%. That change in the case's internal space can cause pressure changes that can at best change poi, and worst cause damage... Crimping is generally not as effective with cast bullets at holding them in place as it is with jacketed bullets... The lead bullets can shave on the mouth of the case as they're pushed further into the case. Then the problems can start with leading in the chamber.
 
Last edited:
You will need to go with the lever loads. "Modern" loads are only for the newer strong actions like Ruger #1, or modern browning 1885 high wall

A nice shooting practice load is28 gr 4198 with a 1/8 foam disk pressed over top of the powder. standard primer works fine. around 1300 fps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom