First .45-70 handloads

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Garyg

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Shot my Pedersoli sharps for the first time this week. Its the first time I tried using my own cast bullets.
I used IMR 3031 and 405gr ww. Tried 40gr, 43gr and 45gr. also some trail boss. Having never shot a .45-70 I was expecting a lot of recoil. I was pleasantly surprised, but then the rifle weighs over 12lbs.
The 40gr was quite mild. The trail boss had problems though. Used 12gr .The first 2 shots were fine, then the 3rd I thought only the primer went off. I checked the barrel ,it was clear. I did hit the target but it was 12inches low. Had 3 of these out of a batch of 10. The ones that did fire were stout so there was enough powder there.They where all loaded correctly. The trail boss works super in my 1875 remmington .45 colt.
Tried 60gr of pyrodex also. That was fairly mild.
Tried Remmington Factory 405 gr jacketed safe in all guns ammo. That was really mild. I guess its a trap door load. It was similar to my 40gr imr 3031 loads.
 
The 45-70 is dream to reload for. There are so many options in terms of bullet weight and powder choices. I really love my Handi Rifle in 45-70. Also since you don't have a lever gun you can use all the pointed bullets that aren't safe in tube mags as well.

The vast majority of 45-70 loads are quite mild. The true potential of 45-70 can be found in Ruger #1 loads which aren't safe to fire in all rifles. I have no idea how strong the action in a Pedersoli Sharps is so I don't know what's safe. I have shot some of the loads meant for Ruger #1's in my Handi Rifle and it popped the action open after firing from the recoil. I stopped after 2 rounds and now use loads meant for lever rifles. There was no damage to the rifle and no pressure signs evident on the brass but I didn't like the idea of it opening on its own. Even with that limitation I can load some pretty hot rounds. My current jacketed round is a 300gr JHP going a little shy of 2400fps. I'd rate recoil on the upper end of manageable but some who have shot it think it's unbearable.

Trail Boss doesn't work well all the time. Did you work up the load using the PDF from IMR or did you use load data from a book? For whatever reason Trailboss doesn't work well with my 500gr cast bullets. Last time I tried I had a low of ~840fps and a high of ~1060fps in a 5 shot group with individually weighed charges (no powder thrower or volumetric scoops). Seems to work well with 340gr cast though.
 
I used the data from Hodgdon for the trail boss. Starting load was 12gr to 13gr max. Pressures are quite high with this powder. I think I will save the trailboss for the Remy. I cast up some 340 gr that I haven't loaded yet. I will make up some test loads this week. I have some IMR 4198 and 4895 that I could use also. I used the 3031 as it filled the case better.
 
Garyg said:
I used the data from Hodgdon for the trail boss. Starting load was 12gr to 13gr max. Pressures are quite high with this powder. I think I will save the trailboss for the Remy. I cast up some 340 gr that I haven't loaded yet. I will make up some test loads this week. I have some IMR 4198 and 4895 that I could use also. I used the 3031 as it filled the case better.
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Hmmm... maybe I'm loading mine too hot. I used their load work up method posted in the PDF about Trail Boss on their website. I'll try lighter loads and see what the chrony says.

H4198 is my go-to for jacket bullets but for cast I've had more luck with SR-4759 and Bluedot. I've tried both H and IMR 4895 but found it to be quite dirty no matter how mild or hot the load. Just my $0.05 (rounded up since no more pennies).

Colt .45 said:
Just out of curiosity. Has anyone ever tried using Lee 454 minie ball tips in a 45 70?
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That actually sounds like something I wouldn't mind trying. I just wonder about the base expanding. Normally you would use soft/pure lead with black powder but would the higher pressures with smokeless allow it to expand when cast from harder alloys? I only wonder because my only lead source is WW's and I have no pure lead :(
 
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