45-70 hunting load.

stanway said:
2150fps No wonder my teeth were rattling every time I pulled the trigger.

I don't think the critters will care...

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Thanks Amph!
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Another great group. Some good shooting guys!! I've got a lot of work to do, to 'try' and keep up.
 
Well, I chronographed the factory stuff,rem 405 sp,1065 fps..No wonder there was little recoil.The handloads were a different story! Just a hair under 1800 fps for both the rem 405's and the 405 hard cast.51 gr of 3031 for the rem's and 50 for the hardcast.Hardcast went about 30 fps faster.The recoil did go up a bit,felt more like a 3"slug or close to my 375 h&h,EXACTLY WHAT i WANTED.Very nice groups,at 50 M mind you,but still very promising.Made a little gong today and absolutely pulverised it,the lead bullets bent it all to heck.I think I am going to like this little marlin and the 45-70 in general.Nice targets as well there guys!!!
 
machinistbutler...maybe now you know why when anyone asks about cal. recommendations on this site, you always see the same reply from me: 45/70. No one on this site can claim as many"45/70" replies as me, some even try to compare their 9.3s or other somesuch to the 45/70, but it ain't washin' with me!!
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Hard cast, I shot end to end through a whitetail doe at two feet off the muzzle.
She went "unh" and was dead.
Hard cast really works. You don't need expansion when the entrance hole is .458.
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Well said Johnny "Y"

Dave.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Not bad, I was shooting 54 grains 3031 out of my 1886 today.
Nice stout load, but not really in the heavy class.
Chrony reading 1875fps with a hornady 350gr.
Raining, and I forgot my muffs. Kleenex in the ears is not a suitable substitute. :eek:
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Hmmmmm, my numbers are definitely different from yours. If I remember correctly I was getting around 1850fps out of my 22" Marlin with 53g of 3031 and a 405g Remington bullet. I have never played with anything less than a 400g bullet, never had a need for it. I like to find one load that works in my rifle and go with it.

Boy I sure would love to own an 1886 :(
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My 1886 is a custom rifle.
28" Octagon barrel, Douglas Premium. Longer than normal length of pull for my long arms. Iwent with a shotgun style butt, and, steel but plate (sometimes I regret that one).
The forend is Marlin style, fuller than the traditional Winchester. (I did that for looks and to handle that big heavy barrel better)
It will handle loads that most '86's won't, and decidedly more than a Marlin. I had the misfortune of finding that out, when loading for a friends Marlin. Locked up his rifle so bad he had to pry it open with a block of wood.
Old handloaders rules apply to the 45-70. Work up a load for EACH rifle, never assume, or believe claims of strength made by others. I don't know how many times I heard that the Marlin was of similar, or even greater strength.
Up until I tried working with the 350 Hornady, 3031 has not been a great powder in this rifle.
I was getting a lot of powder residue in the barrel, and that may account for the lower than expected velocity. I usually use Rel 7, or H4198. I can use Rel 7 in compressed loads for certain bullet weights, that I won't mention lest some idiot try it.
My hunting loads have been cast bullets primarily, but the 350 Hornady might just get the nod for this years Moose hunt. It will be that, or the 500 grain Lee Cast bullet W/gas check
 
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Amphibious said:
no worries, it's a hot one, but as you've seen accurate!
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I've use the same bullet pushed to 2075fps w/ RL-7. I chronied these loads in the winter (-21°C that day), and just want to leave myself some wiggle-room for warmer weather.:evil:

She's got a bit-o-punch, that's fer sure.
 
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