Hey all I just bought a 45-70 double rifle and I'm planning on loading for it. I don't have anything yet but I'm looking for ideas on bullets and powders. Even dies and presses at this point. This will be a bear hunting and fun range gun but its rated for only 28000psi loads. I'd like to stay below that and still fire 400-500gr bullets. Any powder bullet combinations that blow thru black bears? Also is the new hornady leverevolution ammo below 28000psi?
what load for 45-70
- Thread starter brybenn
- Start date
brybenn:
I suggest getting a copy of "Modern Reloading", by Richard Lee. Should be readily available, most anywhere, ie: Wholesale Sports, Higginson's, etc. It contains a wealth of information for 45-70 loads. Many of which are well under 28,000 psi, for 400-500 grain bullets. Before you undertake any load development though, it would be wise to find out what bullet/velocity combination was used to regulate the barrels on your double. Then, you can select an appropriate powder. Why?
Double-barrelled rifles, unlike their single barrelled cousins, can be finicky creatures. Unless the load you are using is at or close to the one used to regulate the barrels(bullets from either barrel printing to approximately the same point of aim, vertically and horizontally on the target), then trying to get the rifle to group anywhere close to point of aim can be an exercise in frustration.
You must have this basic information before you start reloading for it. As for Leverrevolution ammo data, I suggest going to the Hornady website. The data should be available there. By the way, you won't need a bullet heavier than 400-405 grains to anchor a black bear.
Alex
I suggest getting a copy of "Modern Reloading", by Richard Lee. Should be readily available, most anywhere, ie: Wholesale Sports, Higginson's, etc. It contains a wealth of information for 45-70 loads. Many of which are well under 28,000 psi, for 400-500 grain bullets. Before you undertake any load development though, it would be wise to find out what bullet/velocity combination was used to regulate the barrels on your double. Then, you can select an appropriate powder. Why?
Double-barrelled rifles, unlike their single barrelled cousins, can be finicky creatures. Unless the load you are using is at or close to the one used to regulate the barrels(bullets from either barrel printing to approximately the same point of aim, vertically and horizontally on the target), then trying to get the rifle to group anywhere close to point of aim can be an exercise in frustration.
You must have this basic information before you start reloading for it. As for Leverrevolution ammo data, I suggest going to the Hornady website. The data should be available there. By the way, you won't need a bullet heavier than 400-405 grains to anchor a black bear.
Alex
Any bullet near 500 grs. in the 45/70 will provide complete penetration on a Black Bear, lighter may not depending on where you hit, ideally the cast bullet should expand some along with the "pass through". For expansion esp. at those pressure limits, you do not want too hard a cast bullet,BHN 20 or less, right down to 30-1 soft....IMHO
Its a baikal with adjustable regulation. Its on the same frame as my ij58 12ga and i love the fit and feel. It balances perfect in my hands. Not the prettiest thing out there but I want a hunting gun I can beat the bushes with. I've always loved doubles and can not afford a holland n holland so will have to do with this russian. Thanks for the info
The original Springfield Trapdoor loads were far less than 28,000. They would drive a 405 grain bullet clear through your bears.
Look up the Hodgdon site on line and go to the 45-70 Trapdoor listings.
It's amazing what potent loads are in the low power class of the Trapdoor.
H4831 do you know why the Hodgdon site only lists trailboss powder loads for the trapdoor rifle catagory?
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
try 38 grains of 3031 behind a 405 gr. bullet, low pressure load that should make bears sick. I took that load from Ken Waters pet loads in his trapdoor section, its a fun load that hits hard enough and is very easy on the shooter...a 405 gr. cast (medium or soft) or Remington / speer jacketed bullet should do the trick.
Perhaps you missed my question, my fault, maybe.
Just curious why no trailboss loads for lever guns and at higher velocity?
It is not case volume.
Maybe pressure spike?
Perhaps I should contact the manufacture...
Trail Boss is too fast a powder to provide high velocity at tolerable pressures. Titegroup, Clays and Universal, as well as Red Dot and other similar powders behave the same way. Trail Boss is made somewhat "idiot-proof" in that it has such low density that it's difficult to put enough in a case as to cause damage, whereas you sure can with Titegroup.
- Location
- Golden Lake
In Sam Fadala's book "Black Powder Loading Manual" he tests the Kodiak .45-70 double rifle with a 405 gr Remington JSP.
67 grs FFg for 1222 fps
70 grs Pyrodex RS for 1289 fps
I'm willing to bet either of those loads would do in a black bear!
67 grs FFg for 1222 fps
70 grs Pyrodex RS for 1289 fps
I'm willing to bet either of those loads would do in a black bear!
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Black powder must be loaded not by weight but by volume - enough powder so that when a card wad is placed on top and the bullet seated, there is about 1/10-1/8" compression. Buy the SPG Black Powder Cartridge Reloading Guide for all you need to know...
blake
blake
