What is the best aviable smokless powder for target shooting with a 45-70 ???????

[exseparatist]

Hello

This spring, I have the intention to do target shooting, from 100 to 250 yds maximum, with my antique 45-70 rolling block. I will reload only with smokless powder at black powder pressure level and my bullet will be a cast 530 grains.

Many reloading manuals indicate, as first choice, to use the Accurate Arms XMP-5744 but it seem to be almost impossible to find it in Canada. What would be the best second choice for a very accurate smokless powder for the 45-70 ?

Thank you

Ex

 

[ben hunchak]

Quite a few powders will do it, 4759,4198, RL-7, AA2015, 3031, 4895, Varget, they may only fill the case up half way, a proper load of Black Powder would prove to be more accurate, less pressure, and way more fun! Lyman's 49th shows loads for all these powders, at 3 different levels of pressure with 530 grain bullets. Lyman's cast bullet handbook shows Black Powder loads as well as duplex loads.

 

[gunlaker]

Yup. Ben said it all

Chris.

 

[Bittermansbro]

I like the 4759 for my 45-75, the 4198 soots up the cases too much. I like Trail Boss for my Trapdoor, I can whack gongs out to 400 with it.

 

[BC Bigbore]

In the .45-70, I loaded IMR 3031 for lobbing 405gr cast bullets @ 1000fps and Reloder 7 for romp'em/stomp'em heavy hitters.

 

[smellie]

SR 4759 seems to be pretty much a universal smokeless substitute for black powder in cartridges when used at a 38%-of-black charge level. It is a specific for .43 Mauser, .43 Spanish in the old Lyman books.

I find that I get incomplete ignition with 4198 in my .50-70: completely useless. The stuff just does not take light, even with a wad.

SR4759 takes light quicker, produces low pressures and pushes that bullet out easily. It is also available anywhere you can get IMR powders.