45-70 black powder load data

yblockhead

I'm gearing up to load 45-70 black powder (not pyrodex or 777) for my trapdoor. I've seen a lot of variance on loading data (2f vs 3f, etc). I will be loading for the 405 grain. I also read about using magnum primers. Any pet loads out there?

steve45

When loading blackpowder cartridges with any blackpowder or blackpowder substitute you have to fill the case full with slight compression. Any air gap with blackpowder between the bullet and powder will act like an obstruction in the bore and may damage the rifle or cause injury to the shooter.

Hawk Carse

Most .45-70 shooters load FFg.
You should compress the powder charge a little, you can compress it a lot like the Army did. For more than just the minimum of compression to avoid an airspace, you should use a compression die so as to not distort the bullet.
The bullet should have true black powder lube, the hard wax on typical commercial bullets won't do the job.

It is hard to learn BPCR loading one question at a time on the internet. There are whole books. To do a Trapdoor right, see
http://www.the45-70book.com/The-Book-3rd-Edition-by-Spence-Pat-Wolf

This isn't bad for free:
http://www.wahsatchdesperadoes.com/Intro_to_BPCR_Loading.pdf

yblockhead

Thanks for the info. I ordered the book today!

dandak1

I second JS Wolfs book. I use it to load pyrodex loads for a trapdoor 45-70.