45-70 and Wads

[coffeeguy999]

I am about to start reloading for 45-70 and I will shooting uberi 1885 highwall and what to use 5744 powder and 405gr cast bullets. The reloading manual I am using tells me to use Dacron wads. Where do I find these, or how do I go about making them? Also do I really need them? I will be using springfield trapdoor loads because I am not sure if I can get away with using the heavier loads?

 

[superted]

I shoot 45-90, 45-70 and 40-82 in old Win 1886's all with 5744 and this powder eliminates the need to use any sort of "filler" in the case. Check the 5744 website for loading specs. The purpose of "filler's" in the case is to assure the powder is held against the primer and not spread out along the bottom of the case which could cause "flashover" and unusually high pressures. A habit of shooters of these old guns before the advent of 5744 was to abruptly raise the muzzle of the rifle to shift the powder charge against the primer before shooting each shot.

 

[brnolvr]

Don't know about the wads, I have the Browning version of that rifle and it will easily take loads made for the Marlin 1895.

With 500 grains and heavier bullets recoil is pretty stout,the action handles it easy.

 

[hk33ka1]

Dacron stuffing is for making your own pillows and stuff like that. I think you can get it at any Walmart or Fabricland.

 

[Al-Sway]

As mentioned, dacron stuffing can be bought at fabric stores. In use you tear off a piece (you will figure out how much by trial and error). I roll it up loosely into a ball about bore size and push it gently into the case down onto the powder. It will expand and help to hold the powder down.
It doesn't have to be a super compressed ball, and you don't need to compress it on the powder either.

 

[BPCR]

For light loads to equal BP about 1310 fps with 500 gr cast lead.
I use surplus powder
WC845 ( same as H335 ) 33.5 gr
wad from cereal box on top of powder then about 1.3 cc of corn meal ( for filler, this is the old original type of filler ) and cereal box wad on top then seat projectile.
Works good in my gun Browning 1885 High wall BPCR, last time out put 3 shots in 2 3/4" at 400 yds, then loads with different brass and some wind came up so total 10 shots in 12" , iron sights off bench.
Get corn meal at grocery store, commonly used in past with BP, also helped to keep barrel clean.

 

[Al-Sway]

If you are following BPCR (which I do not recommend), you need to ensure that the wad and corn meal is lightly compressed by the bullet upon seating. Otherwise you might have a chance to ring a barrel.
The reason I don't recommend? The use of corn meal, which could congeal or compress into a solid wad. Alright if you are loading and shooting fairly soon, but if left around for a while there might be problems.
And you need wad cutters, and a four step loading process.
It may be accurate, but it may not be for everyone.