I just finished casting some 45/70 govt. , it is 427 gr using wheel weight, I will be using this for my Marline 1895 gbl (18.5). I am undecided yet what will be the best powder to use and recipe ...I would like a powder that I can use also to load 30/06, any suggestion is much appreciated..btw I am only using this rifle for target shooting.. thanks!
best powder for 45/70..
- Thread starter mrq5daw
- Start date
It all depends on how fast you want to drive your cast 45-70 bullets.
For fun shooting, where it is a pleasure to shoot quite a few, you will have to keep the speed down. Fast powders are used for light loads.
You could drive the bullets in the 1,300 fps range with about 16 grains of the old favourite, Unique. This is a hair slower than factory loads, but a good, light plinker.
Lyman's famous book of cast bullets shows up to 20 grains of Unique with a 500 grain gas check cast bullet, for a speed of 1600 fps.
A powder that would utilize full power in your 45-70, and useable in a 30-06, would be something like 3031, 4320 and such. It wouldn't be perfect for a 30-06 with 180 grain bullets, but could get you by. Would be pretty good with 150 grain bullets in the 30-06.
For fun shooting, where it is a pleasure to shoot quite a few, you will have to keep the speed down. Fast powders are used for light loads.
You could drive the bullets in the 1,300 fps range with about 16 grains of the old favourite, Unique. This is a hair slower than factory loads, but a good, light plinker.
Lyman's famous book of cast bullets shows up to 20 grains of Unique with a 500 grain gas check cast bullet, for a speed of 1600 fps.
A powder that would utilize full power in your 45-70, and useable in a 30-06, would be something like 3031, 4320 and such. It wouldn't be perfect for a 30-06 with 180 grain bullets, but could get you by. Would be pretty good with 150 grain bullets in the 30-06.
Buy two powders. Buy one pound of one powder for the 45-70, and another pound for the 30-06, rather than buying a second pound of the same stuff later.
If you must use one powder however, the two cartridges are so different, that there's no middle road. You'd either choose a powder that was useful for low MV loads in both (like Unique), or high MV in both (like H4895). I like H4198 in the 45-70, but it's not so useful in the 30-06. In the 30-06 I like H4350, but it's too slow for the 45-70.
If you must use one powder however, the two cartridges are so different, that there's no middle road. You'd either choose a powder that was useful for low MV loads in both (like Unique), or high MV in both (like H4895). I like H4198 in the 45-70, but it's not so useful in the 30-06. In the 30-06 I like H4350, but it's too slow for the 45-70.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I deleted my post earlier because I missed the fact you said this was for cast bullets in the 45-70.thank you guys.. I guess I have to buy two different powder, I will stick to IMR/H 4350 for my 30/06 and for 45/70 still a question either IMR 3031 or IMR 4198?
I've had great luck with several weights of copper jacketed in my 458x2inch Mauser. (basically a 450 Marlin with cheap brass)
This to attain higher velocities for copper jacketed though, with the IMR 3031.
I have very little experience for cast though. (almost none) From my meager exposure IMR 4198 is more of a recommended cast bullet powder in the bigger bores I think.
In my rifle 50.0 grains of 3031 and Remington 405 SP, bullets cloverleafed on good days I was equal to the rifle, from a bench at 100 yards.
Using this same powder I've used an NRA 30-06 M1 Garand recommended handload:
150 grain bullet (in this case Winchester PSP)
48.0 grains of IMR 3031
CCI #34 primer, this my choice.
Using this from a prone position and a sling wrap, it was easy to strike a large mansized gong @600 yards from my M1 rifle.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
One observation my myself and other .45 bore shooters and IMR 4198 or IMR 4227.
As one approaches/surpasses 1900 fps or so in any weight of over 300 grains, recoil becomes quite noticeable and tends to tire out the shooter more quickly than with other handloads.
This seems be be so with these two "4" powders, as one seeks the highest velocities in a 45-70.
just info......
As one approaches/surpasses 1900 fps or so in any weight of over 300 grains, recoil becomes quite noticeable and tends to tire out the shooter more quickly than with other handloads.
This seems be be so with these two "4" powders, as one seeks the highest velocities in a 45-70.
just info......
Thats what I use for my bud GG with 405gn Corelocs for hunting.
For top velocitys with jacketed bullets I have never been able to beat IMR4198 in my S Mauser.
45-70 powder
I have shot my 45-70 a lot with bullets from 300-540 grs- H322 is the powder to use- my opinion though !
I have shot my 45-70 a lot with bullets from 300-540 grs- H322 is the powder to use- my opinion though !
Varget is a very good powder if you have a long barrel my Sharps Quigley (34 inchs ) push a 400 gr at 2100 fps with it and is my most accurate loads, very goods groups and for my brother i reload 175 gr Sierra at 2730 fps and in is Remmy 7600 30-06 he get one inch group with that load and he get is moose and his deer every year... Cheers. JP.
I just got my first 45-70 and haven't loaded any cartridges yet. I've "experimented" with different powders on Quickload program, and IMR4227 looks very good with 350 gr bullets. That will be the first powder i try.
