Anyone tried Bluedot in the 45/70??

[saskgunowner101]

Wondering if anyone has tried Bluedot in their 45/70?? I like trying different powders, so just curious about this one. Would be used in a Handi-rifle, and 405 or 500 grain boolits. Any help appreciated.

 

[tigrr]

Blue dot is listed here
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

 

[zuke]

I tried Red dot but never liked the amount of space left over.
More then enough for a double charge.
I went to Trail Boss and like it.

 

[Garand]

I prefer 13 grains of Unique pushing a 405 grain gas checked bullet. With that load you can shoot .45/70 all day long with no sore shoulder!

 

[tigrr]

I use 12 grains of IMR 700X pushing a 500 grain cast bullet @ 1200fps. I have used Unique, W231 but 700X was the most consistent.
I shoot at this at 500 yards

 

[mmattockx]

I use 12 grains of IMR 700X pushing a 500 grain cast bullet @ 1200fps. I have used Unique, W231 but 700X was the most consistent.
I shoot at this at 500 yards

Cool target. What is your holdover at 500 yards? That must look a lot like mortar fire!


Mark

 

[Brutus]

I've used 13 grains of Red Dot myself. A brief inspection with a light is all that's required prior to seating bullets.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Blue dot is listed here
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

I'm wondering if these are considered max loads?? I'm looking to get into the 1300-1400 fps range with the 405's, somewhat less with the 500's. I'm a huge fan of Unique, but looking for a touch more oomph. And there's no 2400 to be found around here, which I think would be perfect.

I'm pretty sure I can nail the velocities I want with Varget or RL-7, but I can't stand seeing a barrel with all that unburnt powder front to back.

 

[H4831]

I'm wondering if these are considered max loads?? I'm looking to get into the 1300-1400 fps range with the 405's, somewhat less with the 500's. I'm a huge fan of Unique, but looking for a touch more oomph. And there's no 2400 to be found around here, which I think would be perfect.

I'm pretty sure I can nail the velocities I want with Varget or RL-7, but I can't stand seeing a barrel with all that unburnt powder front to back.

Very easy to have light loads of Unique that give the 45-70 with 405 bullet, 1300 to 1400.
The Lyman book of cast bullets, shows a 400 grain doing 1350 with 16 grains of Unique.
Same book shows a 500 grain gas check going 1625 fps with 20 grains of unique.
15 grains of Unique gives 1350 to the same 500 grain bullet.

 

[ben hunchak]

Other good options are 4759, AA5744 and of course Trail Boss, which is prolly the best choice if your are at all worried about double charges..

 

[tigrr]

Hold-over 44 feet at the 500 yard target. Still doing almost 800fps though.
After I install the soule sites, the target gets moved out to 1000 yards. 188 foot drop at 1000 yards.
Ha ya mortar like.
The gmdr website loads are the max, but. Lyman books exceed them.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Very easy to have light loads of Unique that give the 45-70 with 405 bullet, 1300 to 1400.
The Lyman book of cast bullets, shows a 400 grain doing 1350 with 16 grains of Unique.
Same book shows a 500 grain gas check going 1625 fps with 20 grains of unique.
15 grains of Unique gives 1350 to the same 500 grain bullet.

The reloading data I've found the closest to what you've posted is from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd Edition, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to go there using a H&R Handi-rifle, as the data close to yours is rated for the Ruger #1 or #3.

It shows me for a 420 grain bullet (no 405's listed) a max charge of 16.5 Unique giving 1275 fps at 38000 c.u.p. It also shows a 451 grainer with 15.2 Unique giving 1200 fps and 40000 c.u.p. Finally it shows a 464 grainer with 14.8 Unique giving 1150 fps and just under 34000 c.u.p.

I like to have the pressure up for a clean burn, but at the same time not trying to put undue stress with a fast pressure curve. That's why I was hoping to use a somewhat slower powder than Unique to get a little more velocity without the pressure spiking. Just trying to take it easy on the rifle, and myself.

 

[H4831]

Those pressures just seem unreal!
However, you can sure get those speeds, and much more, with lower pressures and slower powder.
The August 2007 issue of Handloader, my copy courtesy of Johnn Peterson, has a tremendous loading section on the 45-70. While it was the Marlin rifles they tested them all on, it is all sectioned out in blocks of "Pressure not to excced--"
How about a 415 cast bullet in the 1600 to over 1700 fps, in the "Not to Exceed 21,000 CUP"
PM me your email address and I will send you some copies.
Bruce

 

[saskgunowner101]

^^ I sure will, Bruce. I just have to say that the 45/70 sure is a fun mild to wild cartridge. On one hand, 10 grains Unique and a 500, on the other 43 grains of IMR-4064 with a 500.