Load recipes for hard cast 405 gr with IMR 3031 for 45-70

[LUTNIT]

All the leading problems I've ever had start at the free bore/forcing cone area and it is not noticeable at the bore (as your pics show) so there may be some leading that we can't see in the photo. That being said I have had friends complain about leading in the end of the bore and would contribute that to a Lube (amount of, or type) problem more than speed or bullet fit issue.

I have an H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70 that leads in the last 4-6" of the barrel at the muzzle end when I go above ~1700fps. I've tried bullets with different lubes (tumble lubed with Lee alox and traditional lube-groove bullets; don't know what it was though) and it didn't seem to make a difference. I paper patch for that rifle now if I'm pushing the velocity so no more leading.

 

[Sharps '63]

I've dropped two moose with 36 grs 3031/420 gr hand cast bullet. Both heart shots. One dropped in his tracks, t'other (larger of the two) went 50 yards before he piled up.

The 45-70 is a good game killer without belting the shooter.

 

[amosfella]

A case full of 3031 under a 405gr is going to be a pretty stiff load so that makes sense. Having unburnt powder seems odd though. I've used 3031 a little but was using it for lower pressure loads (maybe 2/3 to 3/4 case full; don't remember the exact charge weight) and never had issues with unburnt powder. 7828 leaving a lot of unburnt powder makes sense since it's a very slow magnum powder so would want higher pressures to burn properly (at least a level 3 load if not higher which isn't safe at all in a lever rifle).

Did you chrony any of the loads? Recoil is directly related to energy produced, regardless of pressure produced, so having a load with excessive recoil to get it to hit PoA compared to lower recoil with a different powder sounds really odd. Could have been something weird going on or maybe the rifle just responds differently to the two different powders.

Even with a full case, unless you're running a compressed charge already, the powder will still get compressed if the bullets are set back in the tube under recoil. I only shoot paper patched in single-shot rifles so have never had to deal with PP'ed bullets getting set back under recoil.

On the recoil, sharper would be the word to use... Like a hard punch, rather than a hard push... I don't have a chrony, so I never worried about it. My charges are slightly compressed... About 105%. They might move .001" to .003" based on measurements...

 

[S1nnerman]

tied a second batch going from 41 to 48 grs.

Passed 44 grs the accuracy was terrible, 6-8 inch at 50 yards.

my very best load now is 42 grs, accuracy of half an inch at 50 yards and an average speed of 1390.

I'm very happy with this recipe. Accurate, fast enough, easy for the shoulder and very very deadly.

All I have to do now is practice practice practice. Learn my drops and get off the shooting table.

thanks again guys. your help is always appreciated

cheers
Mario

 

[22to45]

I know it is not the same, I have a siamese mauser, with a fairly short barrel in 45/70, 22" barrel, I shoot a surplus powder called 4579 I think... It was sold as being the same as 3031. I shoot gas check bullets 500 grain Lee RN bullets over 54.5 grains of it. It is a compressed load, and I get 1890 fps... I don't think you could put too much behind a 405 grain bullet.