45-70 powder selection opinion

dfraser

dfraser

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Hi all,

Going to reload for my 45-70 Gov

My setup:

Marlin 1895GBL 18.5" Barrel, 6 groove 1:20 twist
405 grain RNFP SLG 0.459" cast from Bullet Barn, not gas checked
Large rifle Primer Federal #210

My goal is for ~1600fps


I have several pounds of each IMR4198 and Varget.


Which powder should I be sticking with for sighting in and then regular visits at 50 - 200 yards at the range.

I will sell off the other powder as I quit reloading other calibers.

Regards
 
Last edited:
I would use the 4198, are your cast bullets gas checked.
Pushing plain based cast at 1700 fps you may run into leading problems.
 
reb said:
I would use the 4198, are your cast bullets gas checked.
Pushing plain based cast at 1700 fps you may run into leading problems.
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Sorry forgot to mention that hey are not gas checked, ok thank you , will keep it to 1600fps, my Lyman cast manual says to keep it to 1600
 
IMR does not make 4189. Powder selection & correct posting is essential in order to avoid over-charges. Typos can mean doom! That being said, you probably mean IMR 4198. Please be careful with powder names.
If you wish to push a very heavy 405 grain cast bullet WITHOUT a gas check to 1600, not only will you punish your shoulder, you will seriously lead your barrel.
Pretty much all the modern 45-70 powder recommendations are for jacketed bullets, Varget is prominently absent, in the 2019 Hodgdon Reloading manual, so IMR4198 is your best choice.
I suggest you begin with 35 grains of IMR4198 & work your way up. Adding a gas check would help, but you might achieve your goal more easily with a much lighter cast bullet, like LEE’s 340 grain RNFT….
 
IMR 4198 is the best powder for 45-70 in my opinion, works for all bullet weights and any velocity you are trying to achieve.
 
hatman1793; If you wish to push a very heavy 405 grain cast bullet WITHOUT a gas check to 1600 said:
I do agree with IMR4198 being the better powder for the 405 gr bullet, but Varget is on the list of powders used on the Lyman cast bullet handbook, and it is their best performer in the 525 gr pb.
Couple weeks ago i shot 50 rounds with a 45-70 405 grains NOE PB bullet at 1750fps without any leading whatsoever.
Click to expand...
 
freire said:
I do agree with IMR4198 being the better powder for the 405 gr bullet, but Varget is on the list of powders used on the Lyman cast bullet handbook, and it is their best performer in the 525 gr pb.
Couple weeks ago i shot 50 rounds with a 45-70 405 grains NOE PB bullet at 1750fps without any leading whatsoever.
Click to expand...

Great News, Thank you for your input
 
freire said:
I do agree with IMR4198 being the better powder for the 405 gr bullet, but Varget is on the list of powders used on the Lyman cast bullet handbook, and it is their best performer in the 525 gr pb.
Couple weeks ago i shot 50 rounds with a 45-70 405 grains NOE PB bullet at 1750fps without any leading whatsoever.
Click to expand...

How is this possible no leading with no GC plain base lead bullet at 1750 fps?
I shoot a trapdoor smokeless handload 1150 fps, PB 405 lead, and after eight or ten rounds I have to stop shooting and clean to restore accuracy.
 
Brutus said:
How is this possible no leading with no GC plain base lead bullet at 1750 fps?
I shoot a trapdoor smokeless handload 1150 fps, PB 405 lead, and after eight or ten rounds I have to stop shooting and clean to restore accuracy.
Click to expand...

Here's my load:
Star line brass
CCI 200
405 gr NOE pb bullet powder coated
34 grains of SR4759, in my opinion best powder for this application.
Winchester model 1885.
And not a trace of lead at all.
 
FREIRE, I wish they still made SR4759. Other powders (IMR4198, IMR4227, IMR3031) are VERY good but I’ve always found 4759 to be the best with both 300&405 gr bullets. My accuracy load with 405gr. bullets was 30gr SR4759, or 31 gr under a 300 gr slug. I don’t know how you could tolerate 34grs under a 405 gr pill for 50 rounds. “You’re a better man than I, Gunga Din”.
 
dfraser said:
Sorry forgot to mention that hey are not gas checked, ok thank you , will keep it to 1600fps, my Lyman cast manual says to keep it to 1600
Click to expand...

Learn how to powder coat the bullets you cast and you won't have to worry about lube or leading.

I haven't tried it yet but I fully intend to try powder coated bullets with black moly lube wax. Might just be a waste of time and powder but at least I'll know if it makes a difference, consistency wise.
 
bearhunter said:
Learn how to powder coat the bullets you cast and you won't have to worry about lube or leading.

I haven't tried it yet but I fully intend to try powder coated bullets with black moly lube wax. Might just be a waste of time and powder but at least I'll know if it makes a difference, consistency wise.
Click to expand...
Word of caution. I'd look deeply into pros and cons of putting molybdenum disulfide in the bores of your rifes. It was the rage several years ago in bench rest and other accuracy disciplines. Funny thing though,not so popular now and some have an almost religious aversion to it. Something about difficulty in getting the moly out of the barrel completely and a risk of corrosion. Just saying....

I will use moly on bolts and triggers but not in the bores of my toys.
 
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