Duplicating the original load 45-70-500

saskgunowner101

saskgunowner101

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I recently bought a mold for the 45-70, it's a Lee 500 grain flat nose #90376 and looking to try out a few loads with it. I can't seem to find much in the way of 500 grain data.:redface: Anyone have any good recipes duplicating the original 45-70-500 load with modern powders?? Even better if it's doable with IMR 4064/4895/4350 or RL-7. Any help appreciated.
 
Lots of this kinda data in Lyman's 49th manual...35 grs. RL-7 for 1220 fps up to 40 grs for 1600fps..these are max/min loads for the TRAPDOOR and the 35 gr. charge would be close to the orig. BP load but not nearly as much fun.
They also show 42 grs. of 4895 for 1376fps....minimum for the TRAPDOOR. The max. load I'm showing here only reaches 17K cup......Ben
 
With the 45-70. it's best to state what you are shooting it in, just so folks keep the loads within limits.

Also of note, some 500 grain bullets are long enough to cause lockups with some leverguns, notably Marlin. Be very aware of the maximum OAL for your rifle.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
With the 45-70. it's best to state what you are shooting it in, just so folks keep the loads within limits.

Also of note, some 500 grain bullets are long enough to cause lockups with some leverguns, notably Marlin. Be very aware of the maximum OAL for your rifle.
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I'll be using a Handi Rifle but not trying to beat the piss out of myself.:p I made up a dummy cartridge and they seem to be good seated at 2.77 for c.o.l.

I'll have to roll up a few with RL-7 and see how that goes.
 
The NAME of the cartridge gives the original loading: .45" is the calibre of the rifle, 70 grains is the Black load and it uses a 500-grain bullet.

You have a 500-grain bullet, so all you want is a smokeless equivalent to 70 grains of Black.

You can substutute SR-4759 for Black at 38%-of-Black levels and do it safely. Velocities and pressures mimic the Black loading. For a 70-grain load you would use (70x.38=) 26.6 grains of SR-4759.

Remember, SR-4759 is a very fast powder, almost the last of the "Bulk" powders although not really a true Bulk powder. It can build pressures FAST, so no muckin' about with magnum loads, okay?

It's a good powder for just about ANY of the old Black-powder cartridges..... at 38% levels.
.
 
I guess it depends on what you mean by "duplicate". If "copy" then you'll need to find a replica of the bullet, and replica blackpowder of a quantity identical to what was used. If you want to achieve similar MV as was achieved, then find a decent 500 gr bullet for your 45-70 (and you have), and work with various loads until you are close to original the MV in your gun.

Hodgdon has several "Trapdoor" loads for a 485 gr bullet that you can try with the 500 gr Lee bullet you are using. You can exceed them by a few grains as your Handi-Rifle can handle "Lever Action" loads and then some (but your shoulder will not).
 
I'm wanting to duplicate the velocity/performance of the original round to see how it was way back then. My son is down for the summer, so he's going to be helping me with some reloading. I'll probably try some loaded with Unique for him first, and we'll go from there to the above mentioned loads. Thanks all.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
I'm wanting to duplicate the velocity/performance of the original round to see how it was way back then. My son is down for the summer, so he's going to be helping me with some reloading. I'll probably try some loaded with Unique for him first, and we'll go from there to the above mentioned loads. Thanks all.
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Very cool.....keep us posted, how it goes
 
Well, the reloading turned out well. I kept it simple and made him the boolit seater operator while droning on about what I was doing. He didn't mind at all.:p

We loaded out some 405 grain cast with 14 grains Unique, 500 grain cast with 10.5 grains Unique, and the 405's with 13 grains Herco. All fun to plink with for him. The Herco loads didn't group worth a hoot though. There were other loads with IMR-4064 and 4895, but he wanted nothing to do with those.
 
Pathfinder said:
How did you make out.

for 500gr. cast Im loading 19gr. of 4759...havent' chronied yet but its a nice light load. 25gr. also works well with 405's.
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Just looked in my bible of cast bullet loading, the Lyman First edition.
Your loads are very light.
Lyman bullet #45706, 500 grains.
4759--25 grains give 1150 fps.
4759--32 grains give 1500 fps.
 
H4831 said:
Just looked in my bible of cast bullet loading, the Lyman First edition.
Your loads are very light.
Lyman bullet #45706, 500 grains.
4759--25 grains give 1150 fps.
4759--32 grains give 1500 fps.
Click to expand...

could be, but it works. Not a knockout hunting load but its fun to shoot. i cant remember where I got it from...could of been from Ken Waters pet loads books.
 
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