45-70 load
- Thread starter 4ron
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I just had these made for my Marlin Guide Gun:
I just had some ammo made:
Remington virgin brass cases
405 gr LRNFP-GC hard cast bullets from Bullet Barn
39 gr H-4198 powder and Winchester WLR primer
approx 1650 fps
Monday is range day...
I just had some ammo made:
Remington virgin brass cases
405 gr LRNFP-GC hard cast bullets from Bullet Barn
39 gr H-4198 powder and Winchester WLR primer
approx 1650 fps
Monday is range day...
I will guess they will perform very well. In teh Model 1895 I have used from 31 to 43 grains of IMR 4198 with 420 grain cast bullets.
The 43 grain, while far from the top in the loading charts, kicked like the devil, but was very accurate. With a 1 to 4.5 scope on the Marlin, 4 out of 5 made .8" at 100 metres. The last one dropped two inches, but next time out my scope went completely wonky, so it may have caused the flyer.
The 31 grains was not the most accurate, probably too light for that powder, but above 33 or 34 grains, any amount shot very well.
The 43 grain, while far from the top in the loading charts, kicked like the devil, but was very accurate. With a 1 to 4.5 scope on the Marlin, 4 out of 5 made .8" at 100 metres. The last one dropped two inches, but next time out my scope went completely wonky, so it may have caused the flyer.
The 31 grains was not the most accurate, probably too light for that powder, but above 33 or 34 grains, any amount shot very well.
I have the 1895M (450Marlin) much the same as yours but the 450 case has slightly less capacity, they are almost ballistic twins. I cast 300&405gr RCBS-FN bullets and accuracy is very good out to 200yds with a Leup 1-4 shotgun scope. The 405 has an edge in accuracy, for rapid offhand it doesn't matter but beyond 100 the 405 shines. I did penetration tests a couple of years ago with shotgun slugs and the 450 using soaking wet phonebooks at 50yds. I was unable to stop the 405's after over 12" of penetration and a big exit hole. My only complaint about the 405gr'er is the recoil, it is NASTY and I think unnecessary for deer. Personally I don't think there is any reason for jacketed bullets in a 45 cal. You're tossing them out under 2000fps, jacketed stuff is really $ and you can get exceptional accuracy from cast stuff. I load 300's at -1000fps for light practice and about 1500fps for mid practice loads. A stout 405gr is not pleasant and that is another nice thing about cast, you can download for practice or use a top load for hunting big stuff. There is so much data on the 45-70 I'd suggest you stick to a "book" load and not try to reinvent the wheel. This case is begging for a cast bullet load and I doubt anything in North America needs a heavier load.
Accuracy load, 405 Rem in front of 51.5 grs. 3031. Stump/water jug defence load, 49 grs. Rel.7 and 420 Hard cast G/C 1865 fps. I've just gotten a deal on 4 bls. of IMR4198 so going out today to try 42 grs. behind the 420 hard cast. It'll be slower but thats just fine.
I recently acquired a XLR in 45-70 and it really likes 48.0gr of IMR3031 with a OMA cast 350gr. I will be putting that load over the chrony on the next range trip.
The load is not 'punishing' and I plan on hunting with it this fall. The 45-70 is such a great round. You can load it down to plink with and load it up (in appropriate actions) to be a real 'hammer'.
Lots of fun!
The load is not 'punishing' and I plan on hunting with it this fall. The 45-70 is such a great round. You can load it down to plink with and load it up (in appropriate actions) to be a real 'hammer'.
Lots of fun!
