.45-70 Load

[longshotab]

Firstly, new to reloading and shooting... Was wondering if there is any downside to loading down the amount of powder used.... For instance on the Handloads.com website they list a range from 12.0grn up to over 70grns. It seems like a large case to only dump in 12 grains of powder. Is it really dependant on the type of powder? 12 grns of powder pushing a 300 grn bullet seems pretty light on powder....
Can anyone explain how they can load it down that low....
How low can I load my .22-250???? might use it for gophers if I can get it low enough on the powder....

 

[H4831]

Any calibre can be loaded down to very light loads. The key is to use faster powder in smaller amounts.
The two standard precautions here is to be careful not to load double charges, as that could dangerously increase pressure.
The other precaution is on a very light load, make sure the bullet gets out the barrel. If it should stick in the barrel, the next shot would blow up the rifle.
An old Lyman book lists loads for the 45-70 with a 300 grain bullet, down to 10 grains of Unique.
Many people use a filler, such as dacron, to hold the powder against the primer and take up space. Many other people use no filler.
The old Lyman book doesn't have 22-250, but they do have 22 Savage High Power. Close enough.
With a 60 grain bullet they show 6.5 grains of Unique for 1650 fps.
12 grains of 2400 for 1950 fps.
Plus several others. All these loads quoted are with cast bullets.