45-70 with H335?

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klar

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Hey there,
I want to start loading for my Ruger no.1 45/70. I am using 400gr. barnes busters. Hodgdon's recipe calls for 47gr. min. to 60gr. max of H335 for 400gr. bullets. Has anyone used this combo or something similar? Barnes does not have H335 in the 45/70 section of their manual. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
Just use standard reloading procedures starting below the listed maximum in Hodgdon reloading manual and work up to maximum..
I shoot 400gr. cast myself up to 1700fps with various powders so I can't help you with specific load data for the Barnes Buster and H335..:)
 
Yeah, should be fine eh. Start low and work up. I am just a bit intimidated with these solid looking busters. I don't want them to bust anything but animals! ;)
 
H-335 is the top powder for B. Mitchell who kinda wrote the book(he did actually!!) on top end 45/70 loads in the Marlin and Ruger. I'll give you his load but, I would def. recommend that you read his book on the top end 45/70 loads before you try this: 450gr. Swift A-Frame 76 grs. H335 vel. 2317fps...again this is one of his loads for his RUGER #1 and I can not endorse it because, he wrote the book. We do both agree on many of his loads that use Chambers cast bullets of 465grs. and oodles of AA2015 for 1920 fps. in the Marlins.
 
Ben, that 2300 fps load kinda makes some of the .458 loads look silly. I always think the .458 is under rated. It's bigger, it's gotta go faster. That is unless you add WSM to the 45/70. Hahaha
 
Wow! 73gr. H-335 with a 450gr. bullet. That must be a cannon to shoot. That does make the starting numbers of 47gr. of powder look a little silly. I guess depending on what bullet I use, there is a lot of room in there for H-335. These Ruger #1 actions look good and strong. I feel like I am loading artillery when I load a cartridge.
What's the name of B. Mitchell's book Ben? I did some searches and couldn't come up with anything. Except finding the reloaders nest forum.
 
When I got up to 57 grains of H335 I bulged the case. I seated the bullets to the cannelure groove. I guess these barnes are pretty long. I can't even get close to the book max of 60-62 grains (depending on what book). Man thats a big difference from 73 grains!
I'm going to play it safe and take my 47 to 50 grain test rounds to the range first and see how that goes.
 
B. Mitchell's book is called " Supreme Handloads for the 45/70" and it has been reprinted a few times since 1997(updated)...it covers special loads for the RUGER such as the one quoted. I think it is based on the str. case being tested in Labs. to 70,000cup, and the Ruger #1 being used for cartridges to 60,000 cup, and these loads producing approx. 50,000cpu. He also shows heavy loads down to 35,000psi including some M.T. Chambers cast bullets for use in the Marlins. B.Mitchell 13 Orchard Dr. RR 1 Lindsay, Ont. K9V 4R1 He's also on the net, possibly this site, not sure anymore.
 
Thanks ben I will check that out. It sounds a comprehensive book.
I just fired 4 Barnes Buster loads with 47,48,49 and 50 grains of H335. Went well. A bit milder than I was expecting. I will try 51-55 grains of H335 next. If that doesn't deliver enough poop I think I will try a faster powder like H4227. These copper solids take up a lot of room in the case.
 
Careful with that fast powder(4227), I've only seen it used in reduced loads in the 45/70. My fav. powders are RL-7, AA2015, H-322 as well as the above mentioned H-335.
 
klar said:
Thanks ben I will check that out. It sounds a comprehensive book.
I just fired 4 Barnes Buster loads with 47,48,49 and 50 grains of H335. Went well. A bit milder than I was expecting. I will try 51-55 grains of H335 next. If that doesn't deliver enough poop I think I will try a faster powder like H4227. These copper solids take up a lot of room in the case.
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Ben didn't say it strong enough!
By all means, do not use 4227 for heavy loads in the 45-70.
4227 is for lightloads.
 
Thanks guys! Guess I won't be doing that! I appreciate all the help.
I am expecting this next run of h335 will do the trick. Accuracy was good yesterday with irons and 50 gr. of h335. My LEH moose draw is in two weeks. I think I know what gun I'm taking.
 
I shoot a mauser 45/70, and I cast 500 grain bullets for it. I shoot with Lyman's max load for a jacketed bullet, and I use 53 grains of 3031. I get 1690 fps. this is a fairly light rifle, under 9 pounds, and the recoil is quite noticeable. I must be getting old, because even if my rifle would take a 450 grain bullet at over 2300, it does not interest me. I cannot shoot a box of shells from the bench without a huge bruise..
 
klar said:
Thanks guys! Guess I won't be doing that! I appreciate all the help.
I am expecting this next run of h335 will do the trick. Accuracy was good yesterday with irons and 50 gr. of h335. My LEH moose draw is in two weeks. I think I know what gun I'm taking.
Click to expand...
I didn't realize that you were planning on using the Barnes Buster to hunt with..
That bullet is essentially a flat nosed non deforming FMJ bullet and if you shot anything through the heart lung area/ broadside shot it with zip right on thru and may lead to a long tracking job..
If you are going to use the "Buster" bullet then you would be better off shooting for bone as in a shoulder shot or taking a endo shot from the front..
If it was me I would use a different bullet like a Barnes original, one of their TSX bullets, or a Hornady 350gr. FN bullet..
Give Barnes a call and ask them what they would recommend as their best Moose bullet out of your Ruger in 45-70.. They are great for answering questions about their products.. 1-800-574-9200..

Good luck on your hunt..:)
 
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MY preference would not be a "solid" if indeed that is what it is, a fairly hard cast wfn or Lfn of over 400 grs., would penetrate and expand somewhat. Even without expansion these designs would do the most amount of damage of all because of their nose profile, I don't go above BHN 19 or so for my heavy duty bullets, ensuring some expansion. The extra amount of money spent on some of these "Busters, TSXs" puzzles me.
 
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