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45-70 load for a trap door
Maxx424
Member Posts: 719 ✭✭✭✭
Need some confirmation and advice on this. I have been loading 45-70 for my trap door rifle using Accurate Arms 5744 at 25.6 grains as specified. Works very well. Bullet is 420 grains but I am going to drop to 405 and see what that does. Last week I picked up a 45-70 trap door carbine. With that load it is somewhat punishing. My understanding is that, back in the day, they dropped the load from 70 grains to 50 for recoil reduction. (don't blame them) Am I correct in going to 18.3 grains of 5744 for the carbine? Any other advice or suggestions.
Comments
Thanks for the info. I am new to this so could you give me some specifics?
The trick with smokless in old blackpowder cases is finding a powder that will ignite and burn properly with so much free space, not cause too much pressure, and not have a problem with a heavy bullet. The standby powders and those I would recommend would be Trail Boss, 5744, IMR 4198, perhaps 3031 with ballistic filler, and possibly also 2400 or SR4759.
If you are so inclined, I'd try blackpowder as well; in my opinion, it shoves, more than kicks.