SAfe load for 45-90??

mazo kid

I recently won an auction for 36 pieces of 45-90 ammo. The brass is RCBS 45 Basic (Swedish, Norma?) and the load written on the box was 60 gr of 3031 with a 330 gr GC bullet. I thought that was a pretty stiff load and I don't like shooting what I personally don't load, so I pulled the bullets, weighed the powder (60 gr + -) and checked the brass. It appears new. So, after all that, do you think that load would have been a safe one in a Pedersoli 45-90 '74 Sharps? The powder pretty much filled the case up. Emery

FrancF

Hmmmm I did a little research (that don't mean much) I don't seem to find any powder charges for IMR 3031 or Hodgdon 3031 for the 45-90.


I have a Pedersoli 45-120 '74 sharps. I have been using XMP-5744 made by Accurate arms that I load for mine. I think you are correct that does sound like a stout load for that powder. It may be a duplex load? Just me, But unless I know the person that loaded the ammo, I trust know one.

If I had the dies for the 45-90,(Not sure if mine will go that short) I would say pull'em send them to me and I will make you some safe target loads.

Dont get me wrong, I have not messed with other smokeless powders for Obsolete Cartridges, other than powders designed for them.

mazo kid

FrancF, thanks for your offer, but I do load my own stuff. I have pulled all those loads and will probably reload with ffg. Like you, I have used XMP5744 a bit in my black powder guns, but I do prefer black powder. Yeah, I have never heard of using 3031 in a 45-90 and I thought it was a mite much. Nope, not a duplex load, just straight 3031. Emery

FrancF

Good deal- Now I gotta ask you since I have never reloaded black powder.
on these large BP cases like th4 45-90 45-110 45-120 50-70 etc. Is there a need for wading/biscut if say the case is only 1/2 full?

mazo kid

Absolutely! If you are using only a half case of black powder, you need to take up the remaining space using something like corn meal or Cream of Wheat, etc. You don't want any air space over the black powder. Emery

darksider

in my BELDING and MULL HANDBOOK NO.37 HANDLOADING AMMUNITION PUB.1957 LISTED LOADS FOR 45-90 WINCHESTER INCLUDE JACKETED BULLETS 300GR 64.0GR 3031 ALSO57GR 4198 FOR SAME BULLET VEL
2040FOR 3031 AND 2215 FOR 4198
FOR 405GR JACKET 53GR 4198 VEL1980 60GR OF 3031 VEL1950

THIS BOOK ALSO LIST h.v. loads for 45-70 300gr jacket 58gr 3031 vel 2015

darksider

45-90 win LOADS

in my BELDING and MULL HANDBOOK NO.37 HANDLOADING AMMUNITION PUB.1957 LISTED LOADS FOR 45-90 WINCHESTER INCLUDE JACKETED BULLETS 300GR 64.0GR 3031 ALSO57GR 4198 FOR SAME BULLET VEL
2040FOR 3031 AND 2215 FOR 4198
FOR 405GR JACKET 53GR 4198 VEL1980 60GR OF 3031 VEL1950

THIS BOOK ALSO LIST h.v. loads for 45-70 300gr jacket 58gr 3031 vel 2015
hope this info helps questions johnthenry@earthlink.net

mazo kid

Darksider, thanks for that load data. I would have never thought this load would be safe. Are there any pressures given for them? Emery

MIKE WISKEY

"THIS BOOK ALSO LIST h.v. loads for 45-70 300gr jacket 58gr 3031 vel 2015"... back when, I wrote to the american rifleman about .45/70 loads for a siamese mauser conversion. The good captians father (Harold Macfarland) answered and said 55 gns. of 3031 with a 405 gn. cast OR jacketed bullet for use in 1886 or stronger actions. This is a very stout load and would recommend caution in a sharps.

mazo kid

Thanks all for the responses. I will just play it safe and reload these cases with something I am familiar with. Emery