Leverevolution powder and 45/70
- Thread starter marc.lam
- Start date
Hornady Leverevolution 45-70 factory ammo does not use Leverevolution powder. Just like only a few of their Superformance cartridges uses straight Superformance powder. Most people assume it's another bulk powder (ie, not available in retail) or a blend of powders that Hornady doesn't think people should be messing with. I'd say 95%+ of factory ammo is loaded with bulk powder that is not commercially available to us low volume (under 1000lbs) purchasers.
Also don't forget that Hornady FTX bullets require a shorter than normal 45-70 case. If you are reloading cases originally bought as Leverevolution cases with FTX bullets than they are already shortened.
After finding all this out I just gave up on their 45-70 FTX bullets. I love their 30-30 and 44 mag FTX bullets since they can use conventional cartridge lengths and work well with normal powders. If I where to use the 45-70 FTX bullets I would probably start with H4198 since that is my go-to powder for 45-70 bullets in the 300-350 grain weight range.
Also don't forget that Hornady FTX bullets require a shorter than normal 45-70 case. If you are reloading cases originally bought as Leverevolution cases with FTX bullets than they are already shortened.
After finding all this out I just gave up on their 45-70 FTX bullets. I love their 30-30 and 44 mag FTX bullets since they can use conventional cartridge lengths and work well with normal powders. If I where to use the 45-70 FTX bullets I would probably start with H4198 since that is my go-to powder for 45-70 bullets in the 300-350 grain weight range.
Hornady has a few loads posted on their website for loading the 325gr FTX bullet. I'm going to be trying to duplicate the factory LeverEvolution load since my Marlin shoots MOA at 100yds with them. I've been loading 400gr Lead hardcast bullets and haven't been able to get the accuracy I want (spoiled by the factory FTX load) so I'm switching to the FTX bullets and going to start trying the powders they have listed and hoping for the best.
I use 44.6 gr of IMR 4198 which produces ~1800 fps according to my chrony. MOA when I do my part and use a scope. Iron sights i can get 2 MOA on a good day.
I run this load in my Marlin 1895GBL 45-70 and love it. smacks deer, not too punchy. YMMV.
Here's a link to the Hornady data I used:
http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/45-70_1895-marlin_ftx.pdf
I run this load in my Marlin 1895GBL 45-70 and love it. smacks deer, not too punchy. YMMV.
Here's a link to the Hornady data I used:
http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/45-70_1895-marlin_ftx.pdf
I also purchased this powder with the intent to reload the 325 TSX bullett. Upon contacting Hornady for reloading info, was told not to use this powder.Guess I,m stuck with this powder. My best loads are with IMR 4198 with 405gr rem bullets. Forget those 325gr bullets. I hear that they a not all that great in hunting situations. Good luck
that simply isn't true!
Why would you say that?
Sheesh, my 45/70's (3 of them) will chamber one fired remchester brass sized and loaded fairly long with FTX bullets. I can even load longer with some cast designs.
Hornady said they had to shorten the case with that projectile to allow it to chamber in all 45-70 chambers. I've never tried it personally because their load data is developed for the shorter Hornady cases. I have considered using the bullets but since my 45-70 isn't a lever rifle the main point of the rubber tip is wasted. I can fire conventional spire point bullets anyway so ballistic coefficient isn't a great reason to use them either.
I fire huge 500gr spire point cast bullets in my H&R handi-rifle so I could most likely chamber the FTX bullets seated in full length cases. If Hornady used shorten cases in their loaded ammo they probably ran into issues in some models of rifle. No idea what those are.
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oh.. yeah, you assumed a lever gun, as do most. I get it now
yeah, I read that the tip of the bullet makes its OAL too long and they wouldn't eject from the Marlin without shortening brass.
there was also some discussion on Rugers with no throats (I think it was the ruger) needing the FTX seated deeper.
My handis also seem to be able to ingest just about any length. ( have an NEF that seems to have a different chamber but haven't done an impact cast with it yet. )
if one is not using a tube magazine gun, I fail to see the need for the FTX, but it sure kills deer fast.
has anyone tried it on moose? I get the sense it may be a little soft for a shoulder shot.
In another thread about 45-70's someone called Hornady and they said to not use their 300gr HP for elk as they are too soft. The FTX uses the same soft lead core but has a different ogive and the hollow point is filled with rubber instead of air. Then again Hornady also says to not use the 240gr XTP hollow point for 44mag for deer as it's too light. The 300gr is their recommendation which is built exactly the same but longer. Only 44 mag bullet I've heard of breaking apart with white tail was when a friends uncle shot one in the skull to finish it after a spine shot.
