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45-70 gov
pajtas
Member Posts: 135 ✭✭
if I were to load the 45-70 gov cartridge with smokeless powder, what powder you reccomend and how much for a light load 300 grain cast bullet. barrel length is 32 inches. many thanks joe
Comments
You should check the Lyman reference on cast bullets. They have many loads specific to a bullet design. I understand there is a large section in the most recent Lee loading quide. Generally I like to use the bullet manufactures or dies manufactures recommendations for the specific bullet. Be wary of hot loads (jacketed bullets) for modern rifles if your rifle is either a replica or an older rifle. Good luck.
If you are loading for a 45-70 built for black powder ... I'd give it some thought. There are problems with old antique guns handling smokles rounds - even handloaded and mild. Do some reloading manual reading first AFTER you've gotten it checked out by a smith.[:D]
[brIf you are loading for a 45-70 built for black powder ... I'd give it some thought. There are problems with old antique guns handling smokles rounds - even handloaded and mild. Do some reloading manual reading first AFTER you've gotten it checked out by a smith.[:D]
Hello Zipperzap,
Modern factory loaded 405 grain (and heavier bullet weights) 45-70 ammo is loaded with smokeless powder, and it is perfectly safe in any original blackpowder cartridge gun provided that it is in safe mechanical condition. It is specifically loaded to black powder pressure and velocity so that it is safe in those old guns. The 45-70 is quite easy to load for using either low pressure smokeless or BP. The only 45-70 ammo to avoid in those old guns is the modern factory 300 grain copper jacketed bullet loads... it is specifically marked for use in modern guns.
seem to be .... I love the 45-70's and those who praise them.
I have four (three Marlins and a Harrington & Richardson) and
am looking for another at the moment.
However, I know a guy at the range who was 'mildloading' for his
M73 Springfield Carbine and his breach failed. The smith said it
was not a heavy load that did it. Seems there was a failure of the
breech after 130+ years of use. I've seen the photos - he swears
it's true and I believe him! The smith said he'd seen it before.
What else can I say? if we're wrong, I stand corrected.
2?
Morty
Hi bert - not to argue with you because i'm no expert but you
seem to be .... I love the 45-70's and those who praise them.
I have four (three Marlins and a Harrington & Richardson) and
am looking for another at the moment.
However, I know a guy at the range who was 'mildloading' for his
M73 Springfield Carbine and his breach failed. The smith said it
was not a heavy load that did it. Seems there was a failure of the
breech after 130+ years of use. I've seen the photos - he swears
it's true and I believe him! The smith said he'd seen it before.
What else can I say? if we're wrong, I stand corrected.
2?
That failure was as the gunsmith pointed out, just a simple failure of a 130-year old mechanical device. It was not caused by using mild smokeless loads, but was more than likely simply age related. The other factor, is what type of loads were shot it in before the current owner? As I mentioned before, low pressure 45-70 smokeless loads (the 405 and 500 grain factory loads) are perfectly safe in any gun that is in safe mechanical condition. The 300 grain loads should be avoided in anything but modern rifles.
I hadn't even fired it in some time & the hinge simply broke off.
That was over thirty years ago & I was able to buy a replacement breechblock from Dixie for about five dollars as I recall.