45/70 powder grains in barrel?

KITIMAT TOM

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
22   0   0
Location
Kitimat BC
Hello,

Just a quick ? I`m loading 350g cast bullets with IMR-4064(using this powder up as I have no other use for it)Primers are WLR.Load is accurate and shoots fine.Is there a problem with a few unburnt grains of powder left in the barrel after firing?Rifle is a 18.5" guide gun.I have Mag primers if that would help?

Cheers TOM
 
Using IMR-4064 you will never have a complete burn of kernels that's why 4198 and reloader 7 are the preferred powders for this caliber.

Anyways those unburnt kernels wont hurt anything, use it up and get the correct powder in the future and all will be well.
 
You're not loading it hot enough to burn efficiently, so there is some unburned powder residue. It is to be expected with that powder in that cartridge unless you're loading very hot. As long as it shoots Ok, just live with it. I'm shooting IMR4895 in 9.3x57 and have the same problem, except it's really not a problem. The only possible issue is that if you leave the residue in your bore it will attract moisture and could eventually cause pitting. Give the bore a wipe after you're done shooting for the day and you won't have any issues.

Bore cleaning for cast bullets is no different than cleaning a bore that's been shooting jacketed bullets - unless you have leading, in which case you need to get the lead out.
 
I like 5744 in my 45-70ès. Are there unburned particless left? - yes. Does it bother me - no. Somehow the bullets seem to find their way out of the barrel.

Other powders I like in the 45-70 are 4198, 3031 and Varget. Special cleaning? Only if leading results from poor bullets.
 
I'm a fan of Trail Boss in my .45 Colt cartridges and my .45-70's. Fills the case nicely.
I'm getting pretty good accuracy at 100 and 200 yards, shooting gongs.
You might want to try it.
 
I was going to say magnum primers may help or perhaps loading your loads a little hotter. Not sure where you are at with pressure signs etc. on that load though.
 
Varget is a dirty girl too with mild loads in the 45-70....doesn't affect anything, it just makes the barrel look gross. I use Unique, Blue Dot, 2400 for the plinker loads and IMR-4198 for warmer loads.
 
Another one for rl7 here. I was going to experiment with 5744 but its just too expensive a powder at $40/lb ..

I sometimes use Sr4759 as well
 
Varget is a dirty girl too with mild loads in the 45-70....doesn't affect anything, it just makes the barrel look gross. I use Unique, Blue Dot, 2400 for the plinker loads and IMR-4198 for warmer loads.

I load the same powders for 45-60, and .43 Mauser, works very well.
 
"...mag primers, might help..." Nope. 4064 doesn't need 'em.
Where did you find cast data using IMR4064?

what I did was run the Hogdon trapdoor data for 385g cast and worked up to 55g for my 350grain bullet barn bullets.


These data are intended for Springfield "Trapdoor", Rolling Block, and Antique Replicas. Max pressure, 28,000 CUP
Cartridge: 45-70 Government (Trapdoor Rifles)*
Load Type: Rifle
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
385 GR. CAST LFP IMR IMR 4064 .458" 2.505" 47.0 1545 18,800 CUP 50.0 1661 24,000 CUP
385 GR. CAST LFP IMR IMR 4895 .458" 2.505" 44.2 1412 16,200 CUP 47.0 1486 18,100 CUP
385 GR. CAST LFP IMR IMR 3031 .458" 2.505" 49.0 1684 22,300 CUP 52.0 1819 25,900 CUP
385 GR. CAST LFP IMR IMR 4198 .458" 2.505" 31.0 1405 15,000 CUP 33.0 1491 17,400 CUP
385 GR. CAST LFP IMR Trail Boss .458" 2.505" 14.0 1075 19,400 CUP 16.0 1142 23,200 CUP
 
I've found that WC-735 works very well in my 45-70. It's about like H322, only a lot cheaper. I don't shoot cast yet, but that's coming soon. Will be doing paper patching though.

I'd be curios what loads you're using as I have a bunch of WC735 and 405grn cast I'd love to work something up for...... launched from a H&R Buffalo Classic. I know you're not shooting cast but it would give me some idea. I've recently been running 9 grns of Tite Group for plinker loads. They seem to burn quite clean!
 
4064 just isn't the best powder for the application. Too slow, it doesn't develop enough pressure to burn efficiently. I've had unburnt powder from powders as fast as 3031 in the 45-70, under light bullets.
As others have stated, to get the best bang for your buck, Rel7, Varget, H4198, IMR4198, and pistol powders for lighter loads.
The unburnt powder has been no issue for me, just messier clean up.
 
I had the same problem with 3031- the original powder (?) - doesn't seem to be an issue - didn't try to test to see if they were unburned or just patricianly combusted (will try under safe conditions) - what I did notice however was a drastic shift in accuracy after my first three shots (enough time for accumulation). I have now ordered a viper bore cleaner to clean regularly in the field. Don't think there are many powders that will burn clean unless as was suggested in a previous post - that one loads 'hotter'. Sounds reasonable, I personally prefer to keep the recoil down so will clean regularly.
 
Back
Top Bottom