Seeking Suggestions for a 45-70 Bear Buster Load...

[stanway]

I recently acquired some 450gr cast 'Bear Buster' bullets. I will be shooting them out of a Marlin Guide Gun and I am looking for some load suggestions. I have a few ideas I will be trying out, but I always like to hear what you guys on the board have to say.

I will post my results - when I get a chance to get to the range.

Thanks in advance!


James

 

[ben hunchak]

For heavy cast bullet loads(GC??), I like RL-7 and AA2015 powders, and for RL-7 somewhere between 37 grs for 1500 fps or so and a very max. of 48 grs. for 1800+fps, usually recoil will factor into your load build up. Either way it's a fun project, looking for accuracy, testing bullets for penetration/expansion, as well finding your recoil/pain threshold.

 

[244Ack]

I use 45 grains of H332 with a 450 grain cast (gas check) This load goes 1750 fps and is quite accurate. I have worked up to 50 grains but recoil was pretty uncomfortable and the 1750 FPS load shoots through everything I point it at.

 

[Why not?]

I bought two pounds of AA 2015 last year for the 45-70, and it is the best powder by far in that cartridge. Meters nicely, is clean burning, and very accurate.

Ted

 

[remington jim]

45-70 powder

H322 is the powder for a 45-70 start with 45 grs and work up with a 450 gr cast

 

[chuckwagon]

H322 is good and IMR 3031 is an old standby.

 

[H4831]

I bought two pounds of AA 2015 last year for the 45-70, and it is the best powder by far in that cartridge. Meters nicely, is clean burning, and very accurate.

Ted

Ted, is this the same powder as AAC 2015 BR?
I wonder what those extra letters stand for?
Bruce

 

[unstableryan]

I have only been reloading for 45-70 a couple years, but I find you figure out where the seated bullet sits at and fill to that point with 3031 and it's a decent stout safe load.

50gr with a 400gr bullet hit pretty hard.

 

[458lott]

H322 and reloader 7 we found to work the best. i am sure there is others. thats what makes reloading fun.

 

[Brutus]

I have only been reloading for 45-70 a couple years, but I find you figure out where the seated bullet sits at and fill to that point with 3031 and it's a decent stout safe load.

50gr with a 400gr bullet hit pretty hard.

I have a stout FN made, sporterized Mauser in 458x2inch American (basically a belted 45-70 or a 450 Marlin) and this same handload of 50 grains or IMR 3031 under a 400-405, I often get cloverleafs @100 yards from the bench. Barrel twist of 1 in 16.
I used to use Reloader-7 as well for top velocities, but I found this powder to be temperature sensitive, accuarcy wise.

 

[Andy]

The "Ranch Dog" website has load data for Marlin Lever guns for the molds he sells. This is for a 425 gr cast (which is slightly lighter than yours at 450 grs), but the loads are all below the max load of 42K psi for the Marlin, so you could use them as max loads for that bullet. Start 10% below and work up:

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/bin/TLC460425RF/data/loadnotes01.pdf