bumper Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I tried searching the arhives - - no joy. What's your favorite load for the 45-70 Government? I've got a RCBS 405 grain, gas check, bullet mold ordered. This is for a Marlin lever 1895 GS guide gun. Hard cast bullets for bear protection while airplane camping. Also plan to experiment with loading some cases with #6 shot. Any suggestions appreciated. bumper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NuJudge Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 You will find lots of favorites over on the Cast Boolits board: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlowers Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 All my favorite recipes uses FFg and FFFg so I don't think they would interest you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 405 Hard cast load, as much H322 as you can stuff in the case is pretty much the standard Marlin Guide Gun load. I loaded in a Ruger #1 so could load a little higher pressure, I also used Barns X bullet 350 gr spitzers loaded with a hole bunch of 4198, An ole timey moose hunter I used to swap emails with used a Lever gun 45/70 and swore by Speer hotcore 350's (which can be used in a tube magazine) with a max charge of RL7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scout454 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Accurate 2015-BR (think it's called XMR2015 now) works exceptionally well with everything from 300 through 460's in both a Guide Gun and a Winchester 1886 TD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooting for M Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 IMR makes a powder that supposedly works great in the older big cases like 45-70 and 40-65. I never really messed with it though. My load for my handi-rifle was 65 grains of FFg by volume with a vegatable fiber wad soaked in lube and lots of SPG to help keep the fouling soft and a 405 grain Bear Creek bullet. For bear I bet it'd work well, but I'm sure your looking for smokeless. Go find a cowboy action match and I bet you'll get the info you are looking for. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chitlin Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I shoot 50.0 gr IMR4198 under a 300 grain Rem JHP. It shoots 2170 FPS for a little over 3200 FPE out of a 22" Marlin 1895. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashanator Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 I have good luck with 38 grains of Hodgdon Varget and the 405. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sinko Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I snatched up five boxes of the Cast Performance 460 gr. FNGC from the Bargain Cave at Cabela's and I load them with a heavy charge of IMR 4198. I was getting 1812 FPS out of my Guide Gun but have since reduced the load a bit just to be on the safe side. I have complete reliability and no signs of high pressure in a load that will easily take anything that walks the planet. This is not a load to shoot off the bench if you suffer from neck or back pain, though. I also like 405 gr. cast bullets over a moderate charge of XMP5744. This reduced load is still a solid performer and is all most people will need for the field. Another interesting load is a .457" round ball over about 10 grs. of 231. This is very accurate and good for small pests. I have also had decent results with the 255 gr. RNFP sized .454" for the .45 Colt. I didn't think it would work very well, but it did. These are the only loads I ever use anymore. There's really no need for anything else. I never considered shot cartridges, but now you got me thinking. I don't know if shot capsules for the .45 Colt would work or of they'd be too small. Or maybe they could be paper patched... Dave Sinko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swandme Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Good Evening I shoot a lot of 45 -70 and my favorite load by far for smokeless powder is something my Brother brewed up 405 Gr. Oregon Trail Cast Lead bullet over 24.0 Grains of IMR SR4759 and use the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Very Accurate and cost effective Be careful as you could double charge a round and Blow yourself to Smithereens . Enjoy SWandME Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonT Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) Good Evening I shoot a lot of 45 -70 and my favorite load by far for smokeless powder is something my Brother brewed up 405 Gr. Oregon Trail Cast Lead bullet over 24.0 Grains of IMR SR4759 and use the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Very Accurate and cost effective Be careful as you could double charge a round and Blow yourself to Smithereens . Enjoy SWandME I've often wondered how to spell "smithereens". Thanks Edited September 3, 2008 by DonT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 My favorite for plinking is a 300 grain along with 40.9 of 3031 as its shoulder friendly. If I had to shoot a bear to save my skin I would use my “hot” load, 350 grain with 56.1 3031 (warning that’s max, so start low and work up). FWIW that last load will bruise your shoulder with just one shot in normal hunting clothes out of my 1895 (kicks harder than my 50 bmg). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sc0 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 43gr Varget with winchester lr primers, 405gr lasercast... 1500fps out of a Ruger #1. Groups were deer sized with open sights at 50yds and kicks more than a 12gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buildit2 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I've been really liking the 405 gr jacketed soft nose rounds with 3031. Makes around 1600 fps. On a side note I chronoed some of the Hornaday evolution 325gr rounds and was surprised. Most factory 45-70 rounds seem to chrono around 1200 to 1300fps. I assumed this was because they have to produce the ammo at the maximum pressure for all 45-70 firearms that might be on the market still. The hornaday rounds 2 of them came out at 1912 and 1867 fps. I don't buy the lever evolution ammo anymore since I started reloading as the cases are not standard length but it is interesting they have no warnings on the box about possible higher pressures other than they are made for guns originally chambered in that caliber. Sorry, back on topic.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Hunter Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Black Powder, Paper Patched bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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